Is it time to clear some space in your drawer for a couple new bras? If you’ve been hanging onto some of your lingerie for more than a couple years, or have just a few favorites in your rotation, the answer is likely yes: it’s time to go shopping.

As a general rule of thumb, most experts recommend that your bras be replaced every 6-12 months. 

Why? While there are a number of variables, the main reasons come down to a loss in shape or comfort, general wear, and health concerns. Let’s take a deeper look. 

How do I know it’s time to replace my bra?

If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you innately know that some of your bras need to be replaced. There are a number of signs that those bras you’re holding onto for nostalgia have run their course. 

The underwire is showing. We’re a fan of wireless bras for a number of reasons, but if you still have a few wired bras and that underwire is poking out, it’s likely time for an upgrade. Not only is it a clear sign of wear but it also becomes extremely uncomfortable to have a piece of wire poking at you all day! 

The straps or band are loose. Your bra band should fit comfortably, but not be restricting. If the straps that once fit you snuggly are now sliding around or falling off your shoulders, it means the bra is no longer functioning as it should. Over time, straps and bands will lose their elasticity, meaning most adjustments you make won’t be able to help long-term. 

They no longer provide proper support. The intention of a bra is to provide comfort and support, and so if your lingerie is no longer doing that job it’s time to make a change. It’s also important to question if your bra was ever providing you proper support! Oftentimes we’re wearing the wrong size bra without even realizing it. A good fit means not having a ton of space between your breasts and the cups, and at the same time not overflowing out of the cups. Here’s a general guide for determining your bra size, though it’s always important to look at the size guide for each individual bra you choose to buy.

The fabric is breaking down. Whether the fabric is frayed or the elastic is beginning to poke out, these signs of wear mean it might be time to look into replacements. 

Your body has changed. We aren’t meant to stay the same shape and size forever! Whatever changes your body has experienced, regardless of the reason, you should have a bra that fits. And when your body has changed, chances are your bra needs to change as well to maintain that appropriate fit.   

Your style, priorities, or values have changed. What’s important to you? At Seamless Lingerie we prioritize comfort, versatility, sustainability and affordability, among other values, all of which are reflected in the pieces we produce. In a similar way, the lingerie you purchase should represent who you are and what makes you feel most confident. 

They aren’t comfortable. Why are you settling for a bra that isn’t comfortable?! You deserve so much better. We believe that you need to suffer in your lingerie; in fact our goal is to turn wearing a bra into a blissful experience.

How can I make my bras last longer? 

The best way to extend the life of your bras is to take proper care of them. This means: 

Having 5-6 bras to rotate through so that you aren’t wearing the same one every day. We know it’s easy to gravitate towards your favorite bra, but the more often you wear a bra, the quicker it will show signs of wear. Luckily, with our bras you won’t have that problem because they’ll all be your favorite. 😉

Washing your bras every 2-3 wears. Naturally, bras collect oils and sweat from our skin, residue from deodorant, and dirt and bacteria from day-to-day life, so it’s important to wash them regularly to keep them in good shape. How often will depend on multiple variables including the temperature and conditions of where you live, what your daily activity level looks like, your schedule and how much you sweat. In general though, every 2-3 wears is a good rule of thumb. 

Taking proper care when washing your bras. We recommend washing Seamless Lingerie bras in cold water as hot water breaks down the elastic and shortens the bra’s lifespan. We also recommend hand washing if possible. If you’re unable to hand-wash, use a very gentle machine wash setting, mild soap, and make use of lingerie bags. Hang them to dry! We have more details on how to properly care for your Seamless Lingerie here. 

What do I do with my bras when I need to replace them?

While replacing bras is unavoidable, there are ways to make this process more eco-friendly! We’ve partnered with The Bra Recyclers to offer you a coupon for Seamless Lingerie when you recycle your bras. 

The Bra Recyclers is an incredible organization committed to extending the life of textiles through the reuse of preloved bras. Each year, they accept thousands of preloved bras from individuals and businesses and either recycle them or give them to women and girls in need.

You can donate your bras at one of their drop-off locations, or ship your items to them using their recycling form. 

And, to support you in this process, when you recycle your preloved bras through the program, we’ll offer you $10 off your next $50+ order. Learn more here.

Ready for a change? Here’s how to make this process more economical and eco-friendly. 

In addition to ensuring you properly dispose of your old lingerie, we want you to feel comfortable and confident with the replacement lingerie you choose to purchase! 

Not only is our lingerie seamless, comfortable, and cute, but we have a number of sustainability initiatives in place to make your purchase eco-friendly, including biodegradable packaging and carbon neutral shipping. 

Plus, we give back to organizations and causes we care about with each purchase. 

Our lingerie won’t break the bank either because we believe everyone should afford high quality lingerie pieces. So, you can stick to the 6-12 month guidelines for replacing your lingerie without stress. 

Shop your next set here.