Like most of us, bras need their space. The best way to store your bras to keep their shape is by standing them up in your top drawer with the cups inside each other — never folded or crumpled.
Hang each bra up on individual hangers…
Like The Good Housekeeping Institute said, If you have the time and space, hanging each bra up will ensure each garment is kept extremely safe from damage and it lets the material breathe. Remember NOT to hang your bras from the straps though as it may damage the garment.
Folding your bra by twisting the cups under each other can damage both the cups and the wiring of it. Thomson says you should care for your bras the same way you would a suit – “you would never fold or misshape it, and the same level of care should be made.”
Store Bras on a Clothes Hanger
Place the bra straps into the hanger's J-hook to keep them from slipping off. The key here is to ensure bras are hung by both straps. While it's tempting to save space and hang two bras from each J-hook, this will ultimately damage the strap's elasticity.
Most people have between one and four special occasion bras, though some may have more depending on their style and what type of clothes they like to wear. You might own anywhere between five and 15 (or even more) bras. It all depends on your lifestyle and your preferences.
To tighten a bra strap, hold the slide adjuster in the fingers of one hand as you pull the back part of the strap away from the adjuster, moving it toward the bra cup. The closer the slide adjuster, the tighter the bra strap should become.
Create a Bra Rack. Using a series of closet hangers (velveteen or fabric-covered tend to work best), link the hangers in a vertical chain on the back of your closet door. Next, hang one bra from each of the hangers (facing forward) to keep each piece visible and in shape.
Off-the-Shoulder Chic. A little something off-the-shoulder is the perfect opportunity to allow your straps—and sexy peek of your collarbone—to show. Try the look with a flowy sweater or off-one-shoulder top.
The most common way is when you clasp your bras in the front and then swivel it around your body, pulling the straps on at the end.
The longer you wear a bra, the stretchier it becomes, so it's a good idea to rotate bras regularly to ensure that the cups and straps retain their shape and elasticity. After all, you want to keep that flattering, well-fitted form as long as possible.
To protect the shape of your bras, try storing them in a drawer lined with a soft cloth or in a lingerie bag. Avoid hanging them on hangers or leaving them in an environment with high humidity, as this will cause the bras to lose their shape over time.
A 15-year-long study, concluded and published in 2013, seemed to find that forgoing a bra could actually decrease any sagging. According to the study, the support of a bra can weaken the tissue surrounding the breasts, causing them to droop.
The two finger test, in terms of bra fitting, is how one determine's if a band fits correctly. Put two fingers at the back or front of the bra. If one can fit more, the band might be too loose; if one can't fit two, the band is too tight.
THE BRA BAND
You should feel it holding, but it should not be so tight that it is uncomfortable. As a guideline, you should be able to comfortably run two fingers under both sides of the bra at the same time. If the bra pulls away from your body easily, it is too loose.
No matter the type of bra, the band should fit comfortably around your body, snug but not tight. Remember to always start a new bra on the loosest hook and hook tighter as the band stretches over time.
Make sure your band isn't sitting too high on the back, most bras should sit just below the shoulder blades. The Straps – Your bra straps should sit comfortably on the shoulders and not move much during the day. If they are slipping down and you are constantly having to lift them up, they are too loose.
You can use a paperclip to hold your bra straps together from the back while you are wearing a racerback tank top and don't want your bra straps to be showing from the sides. Just clip the back of the straps together and you are good to go.
If you want to look bigger in the bust try wearing a padded bra. A padded bra contains padding along the cups to add some volume to your breast size and make them look bigger. There are various types of padded bras depending on how much enhancement you want such as lightly padded and heavily padded.
The band should fit snugly around your body, without digging in or rolling up. The straps should not cut into your skin or slip off your shoulders, but be comfortable and provide additional support. Choose full coverage: A full coverage bra can help keep the breast tissue in place and prevent it from sagging further.
If your bra band is too loose, the back of the bra will rise and the front will droop and sag - not a good look! Going down a band size will probably fix your bra problem. However, bear in mind that the amount of space in the cup is related to your band size.
How often you need to wash your bras isn't an exact science. But as a general rule, you should wash them after every two to three wears. A dermatologist explains what that means.
While it is correct not to overwash your bras, as it can damage the elasticity of the bra, which is crucial for proper support, Pour Moi's Lingerie Technologist, Lois Siciliano, advises washing them every two to three wears.
It's generally recommended that a bra should last anywhere between 6-9 months, although we think that with good care your bras should last a lot longer. We encourage you to look after them as much as they look after you - extending the life of your clothes by even a small amount has a significant environmental benefit.