Underwear expert explains golden 'rule' for number of bras you should own
Wardrobes have a tendency to get unruly over the years, as your style and size changes and you buy more and more to keep up with trends and evolving fashion - without clearing out things you no longer wear.
The same is true for our underwear, with forgotten bras purchased to go with that one top you never wear or that super uncomfortable bralette you bought on a whim sitting unworn in a drawer.
So how many bras does a person actually need? While that number varies from person to person, Emily Blount, head of product at Lounge Underwear, has some answers.
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When picking new bras, consider what you already own and if the new one fills a gap (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Emily shared: "It's not an obvious answer, as studies over the last few years have concluded that the average number of bras women own is as low as five, while some conclude that the average number is as high as sixteen."
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"The number of bras and panties you should own will completely depend on how active you are and the type of occasions you need your bras for," she explained.
Just like clothes, our underwear should be lifestyle appropriate and Emily suggests keeping more loungewear bras if you work from home or sports bras if you like to work out.
She said: "As a general rule, we recommend having a range of eight to 10 bras that meet the needs of being comfortable and functional, and simply being flattering to your body type!
"To maximise your options, we recommend creating a capsule bra wardrobe to suit every occasion, such as three everyday bras, three sports or loungewear bras, two 'dressy' plunge bras, and one strapless bra. This will help you appreciate your bras for all their beauty, however, make sure to wash your bras thoroughly and replace them every six to nine months.
"For panties, it is best to have roughly enough pairs to ensure you don’t run out no matter your activity level or outfit choices, so between 15-20 pairs. We also recommend using an underwear care bag to protect your intimates."
Creating an underwear capsule wardrobe isn't just about finding bras that suit different occasions, you also need to feel supported and comfortable in what you're wearing. Most importantly, make sure the bras you keep are ones that actually fit well.
Make sure the bras you do own are flattering and fit well (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"Wearing the correct bra type can do a lot more than just lifting your bust, and luckily there are plenty to choose from," shared the expert.
Usually bras come in four categories; padded, non-padded, wired, and non-wired but there are a variety of necklines from plunge to balconette that you can choose from. Work out if you prefer padded or non-padded with a wire or without, then move on to looking at which shape suits you best.
Emily added: "Many mums-to-be and bottle-feeding mums need extreme comfort in their underwear as their body changes. Because these types of bras get more wear than pre-pregnancy bras, we recommend purchasing three bras; one to wear today, one on standby, and one in the wash.
"However, you may need to purchase more depending on how long you plan to breastfeed - as the elastic can break down over a number of washes which can lessen the support.
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"For nursing bras, it's just as important to have comfortable and supportive features in these bras as it is to have the correct number, such as easy-to-release nursing clips, elasticated bands, and super soft fabric!"
There's plenty of bras out there, it's just about choosing what you actually need so when you're spring cleaning your wardrobe bear this in mind to help create an underwear capsule collection that works for every occasion.
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