Bra Talk

Some women will opt to stay away from wearing bras in the summer as they can be a bit comfortable in the heat.  But gravity doesn’t stop because of the seasons and neither should your bra-wearing.  Here are some tips on choosing a bra to wear in the summer:

• Invest in a convertible bra. Although manufacturers are still perfecting a truly comfortable version, this bra will support you well under a backless bodice and halter tops.

• Opt for styles without lace and seams for a clean look under fitted sleeveless tops and fine knit shells. If you’re a size A or B, look for stretch cotton bralettes - they resemble a cropped tank top with adjustable straps.

• Try a demi bra when wearing a plunging or revealing neckline. Designed with wide-set cups that just cover the nipple, they offer good support with maximum exposure.

• Wear flesh tones when sporting pastels or sheer materials like linen. White bras will be very conspicuous.

• Combat sweat-inducing humidity by pairing summer attire with a moisture-wicking sports bra. They offer great support, and the high-tech fabric will keep you a lot drier than most fashion bras.

• Consider racer back or cross back bras to wear with sleeveless tops and shells. You can rest assured that your bra straps won’t slip into view.

• Go strapless under skinny-strap tanks and strapless tops. Smaller chests can get away with a stretch tube bra, while larger chests may still need the support of a more constructed bra that hooks in the back.

Many women’s undergarments such as bras and panties are made of satin and therefore require extra care.  Satin is generally a bit more delicate, so here are some quick tips on cleaning the fabric:

Hand washing is recommended for most types of satin. The exceptions to this are nylon and polyester satin. These types of satin can be washed using the gentle cycle of a washing machine. Use cool or warm water only. Use a detergent that is made for delicates. Always check tags for specific instructions for washing and drying your lingerie.

If you have extremely delicate satin you should have them dry-cleaned to prevent damage to the material and to help prevent color fade.

Never use bleach on satin.

Do not twist or wring out your clothes. Lay them on a thick, dry towel and roll the towel around the satin to remove excess moisture.

It is recommended that satin materials are not dried in a dryer. Opt to air-dry them indoors. Polyester satin can be dried in the sun however this is really not recommended for any type of satin.

Find a stain remover that is safe for satin. You should thoroughly read the label of any stain remover before you buy. Do not purchase a stain remover that contains any form of bleach. When a stain occurs quickly treat the stain with the stain remover per instructions on the bottle and then wash.

To treat bloodstains you should immediately immerse the stain in cold water and allow the item to soak. If this does not completely remove the stain you can then apply stain remover.

If your satin material is very delicate you should leave stain removal to a professional dry cleaner.

It doesn’t matter if you love your bra or not, or if your bras are cheap or expensive. Here are some tips to care for them so they’re in a good shape - which means you’re comfortable and happy.

Switch up bras every day: Avoid wearing your bra for two consecutive days. Your body exudes heat and heat makes the Lycra in the bra stretch when it is warm. Wearing your bra for more than one day in a row will cause it to deteriorate faster. Lycra needs at least 24 hours to cool off — so alternating bras each day will go a long way towards good bra care.

Store your bras properly: It is best if you have a dedicated lingerie drawer. If you place lingerie with other clothing items, it will cause early wear and tear on your bras. Hooks snaps, and some other clothing items or objects can snare fabric. So it is best if you make room specifically for your fine lingerie.

Washing bras: First of all, avoid washing your bras in a washing machine, especially top load washing machines. If you can help it, hand wash your lingerie in cold water or have it dry cleaned. For washing you should use a delicate soda-based fabric wash. It is also okay to use mild shampoo or hand soap.

Secondly, get a wash bag for washing your intimate apparel. Wash bags cost only about $5 and they allow you to keep your lingerie protected from rubbing sensitive fabrics of your bras against other apparel items while washing. So wash bags keep your lingerie a little bit more protected while washing.

Drying bras: Drying bras in a tumble dryer can damage your bras in many ways: heat and tumbling in a drum damages bra fabric, underwire and cups padding. Besides that, it can result in damaging other clothing and the dryer itself if wires get ripped out of the bra fabric. If you don’t want your bras to get loose their shape early, consider one of the following natural ways to dry your bras:

• Hang dry (aka air dry, line dry)
• Dry by placing them on a towel
• Use a hair dryer to dry your bra if you want it to dry pretty quick

 Bras do lose their firmness over time. They stretch, they have wires that pop out, seams break and what not. When you first buy a bra, make sure that you can wear it on the loosest hook. As that loosens, you’ll be able to make you bra last longer by moving it inward. Once the third hook becomes loose, it’s time for a new one. Immediately replace your bra if the underwire pops out or the straps break.

Some sellers claim that, depending on the brand of bra, you may have to replace it anywhere between six months to two years; the best thing to do is just to keep an eye on how your bra is fitting or its usage. If you have a singular bra that you’re using every day, chances are, you’ll be replacing it within the next six months from its purchase.

Ideally, when you first start buying bras, you’ll have a fitting to make sure that you have an undergarment that will fit you snugly and properly.  But breasts, like the rest of your body, are apt to change with time and events such as pregnancy or unexpected weight fluctuation.  Here are some signs of when you may need another bra fitting:

• You can’t wait to take your bra off at night!
• The wires hurt - the band is too small or the bra sits too low on the ribcage
• The wires poke on the side - a larger band or cup size is needed
• The middle front rides up away from the body - cups are too small
• The shoulders hurt - more support is needed (smaller band and larger cups)
- needs a style with wider or padded straps
• Straps fall off the shoulders - they need to be tightened
- they have lost elasticity
- shoulders may be sloped, requiring a bra with
straps that are closer together at the back
• The band rides up - it’s either too big or has lost elasticity

With Mother’s Day drawing closer and closer, now might be a good time to get something for your wife.  If you’ve noticed that her undergarments are worn or that her sportsbra is ready to be replaced, you may want to purchase some elegant bras or shapewear for her.

Barely There, Bali and several other brands are among the most popular today, or you can get her a nice sportsbra if rigorous exercise has rendered hers to be changed.  Let her know that your attention isn’t always on the TV and get her something that would maximize her comfort.

This Bali bra has comfort in every detail. It features Bali’s revolutionary new silky smooth lining that feels luxuriously smooth against the body  and is ultra light. This bra contains all of the great comfort features as the original : encased underwires, lightly padded straps,  no tag,  and folded 2-ply back. It adds a feminine touch with a bit of embroidery at the top cup. Sure to be a favorite for minimizer and non-minimizer wearers alike. Minimizes up to 1 1/2″. Year after year Bali Bras preserve their reputation for detailed styling and quality construction.