How Long Should A Bra Last?

When you finally find a bra that fits well and is just your style, there’s a panic that sets in after the initial high. What if it breaks? How long can you make it last? Can you keep it forever?? The answer to that last question is almost certainly no, unless you’re keeping the bra as an art piece. So how long should a bra last?

It depends.

I have had this Clara, by Panache, for almost a year now. Still going strong!

In general, a good quality bra that is well taken care of and in rotation with 2-3 other bras should last about one year. That was kind of a long sentence, right? Lots of conditions. A bra’s lifespan depends on a bunch of different factors. The good news is that many of them are under your control!

Put on your bra carefully.

Be gentle when you’re putting on and adjusting your bra. Little things like flipping your bra or pulling at a lace cup can have dire consequences over time, causing tears or stretching, and making wires poke out or snap. You’ll also want to keep large or spiky jewelry away from your lingerie. Put jewelry on after you’re dressed, and take it off before you get changed again.

Give it a rest.

If you wear the same bra day after day, it’ll wear out pretty quickly. The band and straps will stretch and loosen, and your sweat, body oils, deodorant, etc. will begin to break down the material. You may also find that you don’t get around to washing it very often, since there’s nothing else to wear. If you can, it’s best to keep a bra wardrobe of at least 2-3 bras. That way you can give each one a rest between wears, protecting them from overuse and making it easier to get into a laundry routine.

Try to build a little collection.

It’s also important to know when to retire a bra. We’ve all been tempted, at one time or another, to keep wearing a bra that no longer fits but is still in good condition. But a) you deserve clothes that fit and feel good, and b) this just wears the bra out faster, especially if the bra is too small for you. A too-small bra carries more weight than it was designed to hold, and the underwire will eventually poke out to tell you so. Better to put it away for a while or donate it!

Wash your bras frequently and gently.

Machine-washing a bra shortens its lifespan. Even in a front-loading washer, even if you use the delicate cycle, even if you use a mesh bag, and even if you don’t put it in the dryer. It’s just more agitation than a bra needs or wants. To get the most out of a bra, wash it by hand after every 1-3 wears, in cool water, and hang to dry. This isn’t as much work as it sounds, I promise! For more detailed advice on how to wash your bra (and how to make it less of a chore) click here.

Remember that nothing lasts forever.

I’m sorry to end on such a downer, but it’s true! There’s no such thing as material that doesn’t degrade–well, none you’d want up against your skin all day, anyway. Even with perfect care, every bra will someday reach the end of its life. Things wear out. That’s normal! Look on the bright side: it’s a great excuse to go bra shopping.