Teen bras should last between six months and one year with regular wear and tear, but they can maintain their quality even longer if you know how to care for them.
It’s important to teach your daughter how to avoid damaging her undergarments and keep them in tip-top shape. Easy ways to do this include wearing the right-sized bras, cleaning them properly, and alternating use between different bras.
Preventing Damage to Teen Bras
The lifespan of teen bras will depend on how well you and your daughter take care of them and how much her body changes.
Here are some tips for preventing teen bra wear and tear that could be helpful:
Wear the Right Bra
Finding the right-sized bra doesn’t just guarantee adequate support and comfort; it also helps extend the bra’s lifespan. Your daughter could force a bra into early retirement by wearing one that doesn’t fit her properly.
A bra that’s too tight will likely result in an outstretched backband. This part of a bra is mainly responsible for providing support, so it’s crucial to maintain its elasticity. Meanwhile, bra straps that are too loose will eventually get stretched out because the bra will have to depend on these to stay in place.
Besides the correct fit, wearing the right bra for the right occasion or purpose is also important. For example, your daughter should try not to wear a regular bra during vigorous activity because it will wear it out much more quickly and feel uncomfortable. A sports bra would be a better option in this situation.
Have a Rotation Plan
Everyone has a favorite bra, and it’s easy to wear the same one every day. However, bras need to rest, too! A rotation system for your daughter’s bras ensures that they retain their shapes longer.
If she has a go-to bra, consider buying it in various colors so she can enjoy the same experience without using the same one each day. Also, consider having at least four or five bras in your daughter’s top drawer so she can change her bra every other day and still wear her favorite styles.
Clean Gently
Knowing how to protect bras during washes is key to keeping them intact. The best way to clean them is to handwash in cold or lukewarm water with a mild detergent. If pressed for time, you can also machine wash them after securing them in a lingerie or mesh laundry bag and setting your machine on a gentle cycle.
However, don’t put your daughter’s bras in the dryer! The heat will damage the elastic material. Instead, let them air dry on a towel or a drying rack.
Store Properly
Avoid folding or crumpling teen bras when you store them, as this can cause creases or dents that will make the bra unwearable. To properly store molded or padded bras and help them stay in shape, stack them with the cups nested into each other. For non-padded bras, simply fold them with the cups facing each other.
Bras should be stored in a drawer, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
When to Replace Teen Bras
If your daughter’s bras fall off her shoulders, have creases in the padding or stretched-out bands, are fading in color, have a poking underwire, or simply don’t fit anymore, it’s time to replace them. Teen bras might need replacing more often than adult bras because they must match your daughter’s growing body–and those measurements can change quickly!
Teen Bras from Yellowberry
Designed by girls for girls, Yellowberry’s teen bras provide your daughter with the support she needs to feel comfortable and confident in her body. Check out our catalog of teen and tween bras today!