We know that feeling. You have that one bra you love so much, you wear it over and over until the colour has faded and the shoulder straps worn out. But you don't want to throw it away. Because it feels so comfortable and it hugs you in all the right places.
You've gotten attached.
But sometimes, the most difficult thing to do is also the right thing. A worn out bra might feel comfortable and well lived in but it can do more harm than good to your body. A bra that has outlived its use by date can cause neck, back and shoulder aches, and even cause you to be generally irritable all day.
If you're looking to do a closet detox to start your new year, here are some tell tale signs that your bra should be recycled.
They No Longer Fit Well
Our bra size can fluctuate. There are many reasons for this. Weight gain, surgery, childbirth. If you're starting to notice that your favourite bras or bralettes don't fit well at the cups or band, it's time to get yourself properly measured and fitted for a new size.
For the cups, watch out for overspilling or under-filling. If you're wearing a bralette, mostly watch out if your breasts shift out of the cups if you're moving alot throughout the day.
For band size, ensure that the band is comfortable enough for you to have on for the entire day. Otherwise, it might be too tight. If the band moves around when you're lifting your arms, the band might be too loose.
Shoulder Straps Feel Unsupportive
Bra straps are made of elastic. No matter how good the quality, they can stretch out over time and loose the ability to support your breasts. If you find yourself frequently tightening the shoulder straps on your favourite bras, yet they still feel overstretched and loose, you might want to replace it. The strap is the bridge between the cup and the back band of the bralette. A loose strap hinders support.
Painful Underwire
For bras only (since our bralettes have no underwire), if you feel like you're constantly being stabbed in the heart by the underwire of your bra, it's probably time for change.
Underwire is placed beneath fabric to prevent uncomfortable chafing, but sometimes the fabric breaks down and the underwire begins to poke into your skin and flesh. If that's the case, throw it out pronto.
Fabric Breakdown
When you first get a new bra, you'll realise that even if you stretch it to the maximum, the fabric is able to shrink back into it's original form. However, the longer you wear a bra or bralette, the more the fabric loses it's ability to stretch. If you notice your bralettes losing it's elasticity and looks slightly overstretched, or has small tears at the seams, it might be time to get a new one.
We understand that the trip to the lingerie store might not be everyone's favourite Sunday activity, but having a comfortable bra can do wonders to your productivity and general emotional state.
This 2020, perhaps looking into your closet and picking out a few pieces of the bralettes you no longer wear or no longer find comfortable will provide the start you need to a great new year.
Once you've picked these bralettes out, you can drop them off at our retail store at KINEX Mall, #01-47 to support our Bralette Donation Drive. This way, we can all reduce the amount of waste that is incinerated and sent to landfills. Instead, your bralettes will be recycled, repurposed and given a new lease of life.
For more information, you can always reach out to us at support@ourbraletteclub.com or read more below :)
