Getting Started with Bra Fitting, Care, & Storage (Patreon)

We delved into bras a bit in my Getting Started with Intimate Apparel post that goes into the styles and terminology you will likely run into while bra shopping. So today we’re getting started with the other confusing parts of the bra buying journey, sizing, storage, and care.

Sizing
Bra sizes all over the world are different, with vastly different letter and numbering systems and it can be confusing and expensive to figure it out with trial-and-error.

A great sizing calculator that does the majority of the work can be found here. You will need a fabric measuring tape but in a pinch, you can measure yourself with a long piece of string and a regular measuring tape or ruler. This calculator even has a brand conversion chart and takes your assigned gender at birth into consideration.

Care
Get organized and have a specific basket for dirty bras, then get a mesh washing bag to easily separate the bras. While they can be washed on a delicate cycle in the washing machine, I usually suggest line-drying or air drying bras that have clasps. For sports bras, I usually just throw them in the dryer, readjusting the padded cups before putting them away. Speaking of those pesky free roaming pads inside of sports bras, I know a lot of women who prefer to just take them out and toss them. I personally like the pads but hate when they get folded over or bunched up and deformed, so I take the extra step to sew them in when I can.

Storage
The three biggest and easiest ways to keep your bras from wearing out is to clasp the back, lay and store them flat, and do not nest the cups into each other. Hangers with multiple arms can help keep your padded bras organized, but I find that a dedicated drawer does the trick for me, with bralettes, sports bras, and bandeaus also in the mix, I like to keep all the bras organized and in one easy to find place.

Listen to subliminals, “Lingerie” and “Bust Lust” for more bra confidence and habit building!

Read this post for a full list of Getting Started Articles! 

xoxo,
thelibrarian