My body has been through a lot of changes over the past fourteen years. Between five pregnancies and about ten total years of breastfeeding, my dimensions have changed again and again. I’ve probably worn six different pants sizes and at least as many bra sizes over the past decade and a half.
This becomes very evident when it’s time to pack for a trip, as I was doing earlier today. My underwear drawer is a jumble of wires, straps and hooks. At least half the bras don’t fit; the others are in such bad shape I only wear them in an emergency.
The thing is, when your underwear drawer is stuffed to the gills, bra emergencies happen all the time. Wires get bent. Hooks catch on the wrong eyes. Bras get shoved to the bottom of the drawer, never to be heard from again.
In my Babble Voices post about my 3 Homemaking Resolutions for 2012, I vowed to take better care of my bras, washing them separately on gentle to keep them in better shape. But as my journey through the underwear drawer showed me today, it’s too late for a lot of these sad old support garments. I need to start fresh.
So today as I packed, I gave each bra in the drawer a critical look. Is it missing hooks? Is it torn? Are the underwires bent? Are the straps stretched out? Is it the wrong size? And despite my inner saver whispering “But you might need that bra in an emergency!” I tossed every bra that didn’t make the cut.
Which has left me with three bras. But the way I see it, three good, well-fitting, supportive bras are better than a whole jumble of sad, stretched-out, ripped, broken old brassieres. And now that I can actually see what’s in the drawer, maybe it’s time to treat myself to a new one.
Could your bra drawer use a once-over? What mini-resolution are you making today?
For the next four weeks, I’m making mini-resolutions: small improvements in different areas of my life. This week I’m focusing on ME and taking care of some of those little things I’ve let go for too long. Are you with me?
I just did this! I just got measured and bought new bras, and the old ones have joined the pile of clothes that are soon to go to the thrift store. (They’re clean, and they’re not really worn out, so someone can still make use of them–they just don’t fit me anymore.)
How funny, I just bought three bras today! Depending on how you look at it, I am lucky enough not to need much support in that department, so I just bought some basic sporty looking ones. My drawer has tons that I don’t wear, actually I have tons of clothes in general that I don’t wear, mostly because they don’t fit anymore, and I keep telling myself it will eventually, I’m sticking to that!
Yep – did this a couple months ago. Four pregnancies in 6 years left me with quite an assortment. During those years I told my husband that the only plastic surgery I would consider would be a breast reduction. I was large but not in a flattering way. I started excersizing and eating healthier this past June after my youngest turned 1. I’ve since lost 25lb! I joke that half of that was my chest — I’m down 2 band sizes and a cup size. The best part is, investing in some NEW bras has made the thought of surgery silly. I didn’t have spend a lot either – just waited for the coveted 30% off coupon from Kohls and bought some on sale. What a difference! I ALSO threw out ALL my old panties and bought brand new ones. Mine were stretched out, full of little holes, had those annoying threads hanging / elastic sticking out. Sometimes it’s hard to spend money on ourselves when we’re a mom, but in this case I’m so glad I did. I still marvel when I get dressed in the morning what a difference new underwear/bras make! 🙂
Wow, I am impressed. And inspired. I have gone through my bra drawer many times and always make nice piles for myself, but somehow, I am always scared to let go of them. And I too have many many sizes courtesy of four kids and too many years nursing to count. And what if I need them again? But I hear what you’re saying. I’m going to add this task to my “cleaning out” list for the month. Right now I must finish what I started, “the purge of way too many toys that no one plays with”.
Thanks for sharing, I look forward to your email each day.
Yes, 3 bras that actually fit are so much better!
I worked summer and winter breaks in the lingerie department for about 4 years. Here are some of the tips I gathered.
We recommended that when you find a bra that you like you buy 3 of the same bra. One to wear, one to wash and one that is drying.
Your bra is made to support you and therefore it is made with support fibers. Machine washing, even on delicate, will stress those support fibers. Before the bra shows signs of wear (discoloration, warping, etc.) it is not working as well as it should be because the support fibers have been stretched out. If you want to extend the life of your bra you should wash by hand with an appropriate soap. That doesn’t necessarily mean a special lingerie soap, just something that isn’t overly harsh. We recommended shampoo, I use Aveeno body soap (bonus, I have skin allergies and it’s unscented) and I wash my bras as I’m taking a shower. When washing concentrate on the straps, not the cups. You don’t need to wash your bra every time you wear it, in fact washing is very harsh on the delicate fibers.
You should be fitted/resized every time you gain or lose 10 pounds. Just because you still fit into a bra doesn’t mean it is the right size. I once fitted a friend who was wearing a 34 B because that’s what her mom bought her in high school. She is a 30 DD. In other words, it’s possible to squeeze yourself into anything. That doesn’t mean that it fits correctly or making you look your best. (P.S. She looked like she lost about 10 pounds after putting the right size bra on.)
Kiki, correct fit is so important! A few years ago I gained weight and was fitted for bras. Switching to the correct size made me look thinner, even though it was bigger in both band and cup.
You inspired me, Kiki! Jon and I are in Vegas right now and this morning while waiting to check into our hotel I popped over to Victoria’s Secret – believe it or not, there is no VS or any lingerie store within an hour of my house! – and got fitted for the first time. I was right about my size, but the fitter showed me how to wear the bra properly (the back part was supposed to be a lot lower than I’ve been wearing it) and some styles that might suit me. Best of all they were having a huge sale and I got three bras that are regularly $52 for $15.99 each! My bra drawer just got a major upgrade!
Good for you! I need to do that in about a thousand areas of my home and life… But I guess the idea is to start with one ; )
I also have a drawer full of bras I will never use again…
Last year I finnaly went to a bra fitting session, and from a 38D, I became 34FF… Now I also have only 3 bras, including one VERY GOOD sport’s bra. They are expensive, but are very good value for maney. I stop breastfeeding (my toddler just quit at 27 months) last month, so I dind´t see many changes already… I think I´m going to clean the bras drawer tihs weekend… 😉
A tumble weed of bras and panties… if you open a drawer full of unused undies, this will come out. When your body changes a lot, especially when pregnant, you will be buying bras of different kinds ( sizes and all.. ) just get them fixed from time to time or do an overhaul. I do that every now and then.