How many bras SHOULD you own?

[cransplash]

I'm doing a complete bra re-haul. I have so many bras that just don't fit right/don't wear/need replaced. I've also noticed that I don't wear my colored bras as much- they're just not as versatile for me. I mostly wear black and nude bras exclusively. So much easier in the morning for me to pick b/w 2 different colors!

So, with that said, how many bras should we own?
How often do you wash your bras?

After paring down to what I know I want to/will wear, this is what I have. What else SHOULD I get?

- Strapless (Black)- very rarely wear this, only for special occasions (wedding, parties, etc)
- Racerback (Nude)- very rarely, don't think I need a black one
- Regular bras (Nude, Brown, Black)- I know I need more, but how many and of what colors?

[315bride]

Right now I have 6. One of each: nude, black, pink, leopard, black racer back, nude strapless.

I think I could live with two convertible in colors like nude and black.

[cransplash]

Thanks ladies.
I wash mine on the delicate cycle in a garment bag in cold water, and then hang dry. I usually wear mine 2x too before washing. I know I need more.

I am thinking of ordering (2) more nude and (1) more black. Then I have (6) regular bars to rotate throughout.

ETA: Just ordered 2 more nude bras and another black bra, as well as some Commando thongs. I can't wait to try them!

[hunniapple]

I had to lol at this question. I personally have maybe 6, but I recently helped my sister move and was helping her unpack clothes. No lie, the girl owns 40 bras. I was in shock.

[cransplash]

Oct 6, 2012 7:38:06 GMT -5 hunniapple said:

I had to lol at this question. I personally have maybe 6, but I recently helped my sister move and was helping her unpack clothes. No lie, the girl owns 40 bras. I was in shock.

This is funny b/c I literally had maybe 20 bras, and when I scaled it down to what I wear consisitently, I only had a handful!
I really think I need more than what I just purchased, but I love Natori/Chantelle bras the best and they're $$. I've tried DKNY, CK, and lots of other ones that are cheaper, but they're just not as comfy and fit as well as the Natori or Chantelle brands for me.

If she has 40 and wears them all, I am jealous!

[mrsacornblue]

I have about 12 that I wear regularly. They are all lightly padded with thin straps so they go under pretty much any top. 5 nude, 5 black, 1 floral and one light blue. Both the colors were on sale and I wear them under darker tops. I wear a sports-bra style to work under my scrubs because it is more comfortable and supportive. I have 4 of those. I also have a padded strapless and 2 racer back front close.

[bimbi284]

According to Linda the Bra Lady, one can go 7 or 8 times wearing a bra without washing, as long as you are rotating it with other bras, and you don't sweat a lot, lol.

www.shefinds.com/2012/why-bra-sizes-are-bullshit-linda-the-bra-lady-on-how-to-get-the-right-one-once-and-for-all/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SHEfinds&utm_campaign=Mon%2010%2F1%20Your%20Bra%20Size%20Is%20A%20Scam

[cransplash]

Oct 6, 2012 8:25:36 GMT -5 bimbi284 said:

According to Linda the Bra Lady, one can go 7 or 8 times wearing a bra without washing, as long as you are rotating it with other bras, and you don't sweat a lot, lol.

www.shefinds.com/2012/why-bra-sizes-are-bullshit-linda-the-bra-lady-on-how-to-get-the-right-one-once-and-for-all/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SHEfinds&utm_campaign=Mon%2010%2F1%20Your%20Bra%20Size%20Is%20A%20Scam

Thanks bimbi, this is good to know...

[Deleted]

I have 4 nude, 3 black (regular straps) and 2 fun colors. I do need to add a strapless bra into the mix, but I haven't had a need to wear one for a while.

I hand wash and lay flat to dry every 2 weeks.

[fashionx]

I have to replace a few I've gotten rid of too. So I currently have 2 nude, and 3 black (1 nude is racer back), and a pink. 6 total. I rotate but probably wear them 2-4 times before washing.

I also have a black strapless I'm not including in the count because its been years since I've worn it and I don't really love the fit.

I want to get a new nude and black racer back or convertible since I do have a good number of racer back tops. I don't care if nude and black are boring that's what is easy to wear!

[315bride]

Bimbi, that's the opposite of what I learned recently. I was recently reading somewhere that bras should only be worn 1-2 times before washing, that they should be worn consecutive days, and should be replaced every 6 months or so. Hmmm.

[bimbi284]

Oct 6, 2012 9:34:17 GMT -5 @315bride said:

Bimbi, that's the opposite of what I learned recently. I was recently reading somewhere that bras should only be worn 1-2 times before washing, that they should be worn consecutive days, and should be replaced every 6 months or so. Hmmm.

That's what I always thought too! When I read that Linda the Bra Lady thing, I was like WHA!?!?! I always thought that "body oils" and whatever could build up and mess with the fibers of the bra, causing them to get worn out more easily, so you SHOULD wash them more often than Linda said there...but she IS the "Bra Lady"...sooo idk!

[fashionx]

7-8 seems like a lot to me. Maybe I don't know anyone who doesn't sweat. I don't feel like I sweat A LOT, but after 3-4 wears I feel it's time to wash.

I read that article and looks like Linda recommends replacing every 6 months too.

I would say I feel better about going a full year rather than 6 months, but what do I know...

[noodleskooze]

I have two that I wear regularly. Nude and black. I also have a nude convertible for certain tops. I'm too cheap to buy more.

[Deleted]

According to Nordstrom, you should have three - one to wear, one to wash, and one to rest. Mine are nude, blue, and white.

shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-bras-fit

I also have one sports bra and wish I had another because I wash that one every single time I wear it.

They say you don't have to wash every time you wear but give the bra a day to rest the elastic.

shop.nordstrom.com/c/bra-care

[copperpenny]

I have four lacy push-up ones, one nude seamless, one strapless. I have pared them down dramatically to only ones I love. All happen to be Elle MacPherson. I wash they every 2-3 wears.

This doesn't include sports bras, which I wash every time.

[Deleted]

I have 2 black and 3 nude t-shirt bras, 1 black lacy low-cut, and 1 nude low-cut. I don't wear strapless or racerback. I wear them a couple times before washing.

[fashionx]

Oct 6, 2012 15:20:03 GMT -5 @heyyall said:

According to Nordstrom, you should have three - one to wear, one to wash, and one to rest.

Does this mean you have to do laundry every 3 days? :-|

I think a good number is around 5-7, especially if you are replacing them every 6 months to a year. If you have more and aren't wearing them as often I guess the life is extended, but to me it's just a lot of bras taking up space in my drawer.

[Deleted]

Oct 6, 2012 16:29:29 GMT -5 fashionx said:

Oct 6, 2012 15:20:03 GMT -5 @heyyall said:

According to Nordstrom, you should have three - one to wear, one to wash, and one to rest.

Does this mean you have to do laundry every 3 days?

I think a good number is around 5-7, especially if you are replacing them every 6 months to a year. If you have more and aren't wearing them as often I guess the life is extended, but to me it's just a lot of bras taking up space in my drawer.

I do laundry every day

[Deleted]

2 each black and nude smooth, everyday bras
1 strapless nude
2-3 sports bras (depending on how much you work out). I highly recommend the Panache sports bras.
1 very low cut bra for lower-cut tops--I have nude, but it depends on what color your sassy tops are

[magdala9]

Regular bras 12. 4 nude 2 black 6 assorted colors. I like colors. I was them every third wearing. I also own 3 sport bras that get washed with every wearing. I also own 3 speciality bras (long line, strapless, and convertible) that go will specific special dress outfits. They get washed with each wearing because I dress up so rarely.

[Deleted]

Oct 6, 2012 9:34:17 GMT -5 @315bride said:

Bimbi, that's the opposite of what I learned recently. I was recently reading somewhere that bras should only be worn 1-2 times before washing, that they should be worn consecutive days, and should be replaced every 6 months or so. Hmmm.

Wow! At $80 bucks a pop, there's no way I can afford to replace all my bras every six months! LOL