How Often Should You Replace a Bra?

Monday, January 07, 2019

Written by Nicole Yi

Be honest — how old is your oldest bra? Whether your answer is two years or five, we’re here to help; not judge (promise). Though we consider bras the most important items in any woman’s wardrobe (you end up wearing a bra almost every day after all), they’re unfortunately an afterthought for many. Sure, your old bra may still be “holding up,” but you’re likely wearing it way past its expiration date. Read on to find out when to buy a new bra.

How Long do Bras Last?

We always recommend replacing your bra every six months to a year, depending on how many bras you own and how often you wear them. For example, if you only wear one bra regularly, you’ll need to swap it out for a new one much sooner. That’s why we suggest keeping three to five bras in rotation (ideally one for every day of the workweek) to prevent them from wearing out too quickly. This way, your bras last much longer.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Bra

Obvious signs of wear and tear. There are some clear indicators of wear and tear that you can look out for, such as loose threads, poking wires, and holes.
Difference in comfort. If you feel any differences in comfort from when you first purchased your bra, that is a good indicator that you should replace your bra. For instance, you may feel that your cups are lose their shape throughout the day and bunch up against your skin, or that certain areas of the bra are pinching or pulling uncomfortably.
Difference in support. One of the most important signs to look out for is a difference in support. For example, you may find that your bra straps are stretched out to the point of no return and are constantly falling off your shoulders, or you may feel that your band feels too loose on the tightest hook and keeps riding up. At this point, your bra is no longer doing its job of keeping you comfortable and supported, so there’s no point in holding onto it.

Curious if your bra still fits properly? Watch our Fit Expert Ra’el Cohen walk you through how a bra should fit.

A good tip for extending the life of your bras is to take good care of them. This means storing them properly in your bra drawer and hand-washing them when you can. It may not sound like the most convenient option, but we promise it’s worth the effort.

Time for a new bra? Try our comfortable, supportive, high quality bras! Shop every style we offer here!