Have you ever wondered how many bras one should own?

I am often asked how many bras one should own. There are many factors involve in the answer but generally 5-9 high quality, well fitting bras is a guideline. Each bra serves a different purpose so having a variety in your wardrobe is a way accommodate all of todays styles. Smooth foam bras for light clothes and t-shirts, fancy lacy bras as gift wrapping, sports bras for everything from jogging to yoga, strapless or convertible to strapless for halter tops and strapless garments. Then comes colour choice. A neutral for white and light coloured clothes. As the bra should blend and disappear matching the skin tone not the garment. Bright colours like teal or hot pink can be used under darker coloured clothing as an alternative to black. It depends on your wardrobe and lifestyle so there are no hard and fast rules.

Except when it comes to laundering your bras. They should always be hand washed and washed often. Every time you sweat in your bra or ever couple times it is worn. Bras are something we wear close to our skin every day. As we sweat the salts stain and break down the fabric. Which decreases the life and usefulness of the bra. Meaning you are spending more on bras as well as going shopping and for fittings more often. To make the task simple use a gentle wash, Forever New for example, in the sink, bucket or a basin. Soak for 10-15 minutes. Some are even fine to leave overnight. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub any deodorant marks or stubborn stains.

When a bra goes into the washing machine it is abraded and squashed by water filled garments. This very hard on molded or foam bras and leads to everything from pilling to creases, dye transfer, stretched fabric and broken underwires. Rinse well, gently squeeze excess water out and hang to dry. Avoid the dryer at all costs. The heat breaks down lycra and reduces its ability to stretch or bounce back. It may seem like more cost and time at the beginning but once you notice how long your bras last the extra effort and investment is worth it.