How long should bras last

In a poll I sent out on Twitter, 28 percent of the more than respondents said they had owned most of their bras for between two and three years; 33 percent said they had owned them for less than two years; and 15 percent said they had owned them for over five years.

As for the state of these undergarments, most agreed they had seen better days. When I visited her and her sister at the store one afternoon in January, they showed me the trash can where they sometimes instruct customers to deposit the loose old bras they come into the store wearing.

How long you should keep your bra depends in part on how you care for it, Apsan says. Ideally, one should own six to eight bras and rotate them every single day.

I have them for years. As one respondent explained, she needs to go to specialty stores to get the G-cup bras she wears. Regardless of the reason, Kaplan and Apsan agree that having a well-fitting bra is key to any outfit. A few days after I spoke to Apsan and Kaplan, I decided to add two new bras to my limp collection. Bras can stretch up to 3 inches during their lifetime, hence the rows of hook and eye closures, made to offset this necessary adjustment. The band can also start riding up your back, which causes gaping in the front between your body and the bra cups.

Straps may start slipping off of your shoulders, even when tightened buckles should never be all the way at the top of your shoulder , and padding can develop creases, crinkles or just generally wear out. Bra lifecycle depends on a few factors, first and foremost, amount of wear. It may go without saying that the bras you wear the most will wear out quicker, typically between months, while styles you reserve for special occasions can likely stay in your closet much longer.

Even t-shirt bras are delicate, and should be treated as such when washing. In either case, use cold water to help elastic bounce back, opt for lingerie soap and always hang dry. Whether you buy multiples of your favorite bra in go-to neutrals or a variety of colors, or find a few bra styles that work, aim for at least 3 to get you through a week.

For more detailed advice on how to wash your bra and how to make it less of a chore click here. Even with perfect care, every bra will someday reach the end of its life. Things wear out. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Exchange Policy. December 8, It depends. Special Projects Highline.

HuffPost Personal Video Horoscopes. Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Wearing a bra that fits properly has huge lifestyle benefits, she added. Suggest a correction. So Long, Hyaluronic Acid.