Bra Talk

Many women are guilty of shopping for new clothes put neglecting to update that all-important drawer in the dresser that holds our undergarments.  Modern technology has created innovative fabrics that have taken the world of intimate apparel by storm.  For instance, cone-shaped bullet bras are a thing of the past.  Barely There bras boast tagless and seamless styles, offering pared-down silhouettes that show you and your clothes to their best advantage.

Microfiber, the hottest fabric in underwear construction today, is justified in its popularity—it can boast being seamless, stretchy, comfortable and practically invisible under clothes.  Bali and Barely There are two of our best-selling women’s underwear brands with these features, but there are many others available at CCQ Apparel as well.
 

The increasing trend in the last few years for certain clothing manufacturers has been to eliminate the attached tag, instead incorporating the garment label bearing care information and brand logo.

Certain styles of Barely There bras already come tagless, eliminating the need for the wearer to cut out itchy tags and making their product line even more comfortable than before.
 

There is no standard correct time to buy a teenage girl’s first bra.  Most girls will begin to wear some kind of training or starter bra between the ages of 9 and 11.  A “tween” or young teenage girl may want to buy her first bra when she first notices her friends wearing them, particularly if she is into sports activities.

Sometimes the support a first bra provides is more psychological than physical.  Even if a teen girl’s body changes are not drastic, the first teen bras are a sign that a girl is growing up and can affect her self-confidence and body image.

You don’t always have to go to stores to get fitted for your bras. Some women even find it more accurate to do it themselves. Here’s a guide on how to measure yourself:

Determining your Bra/Band size
(ribcage circumference measurement)

1. Measure around the chest directly under the breast at a constant height with the cloth measuring tape. Add 5 inches to that measurement. This dimension is your bra/band size (If the bra size works out to an ODD number go up one inch to the next EVEN number.) This should equal the circumference around the chest, directly above the breasts/under the arms.

2. Now measure around the chest at the height of the fullest part of the breast. The measuring tape should be held horizontal, flat on your back, and your arms should be down. Make a note of that measurement (only used for comparison) and compare it to the Bra Size from step 1.

Determining your Cup size
(projection of breasts from chest wall)
3.    To determine the proper cup size, find the difference between step 2 and step 1. Use the table to figure out your cup size.

Half inch = AA cup
One inch = A cup
Two inches = B cup
Three inches = C cup
Four inches = D cup
Five inches = DD or E cup
Six inches = F cup
Seven inches = G cup

We often talking about the importance of wearing bras and there are quite a few positive qualities to wearing them, but wearing bras ALL the time can get a bit uncomfortable – even if you’re wearing the best one.  The best time to take a break is at night, while you’re sleeping. 

When you’re sleeping, gravity isn’t such a big factor in your activity, as is such, it’s the ideal time to be braless.  It will also help you sleep at night; so if you’re looking to give the girls a rest, during your slumber is the best time.

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.

As a full-figured woman, it’s been difficult for me to find a company that consistently puts us in mind when it comes to manufacturing undergarments.  It’s particularly embarrassing to have to go to a specialty store just to find a bra or a cami.

Luckily, Barely There is the kind of company that does keep bigger women in mind when they make their wares.  Not only are their bras comfortable, but they’re widely available in my size.  I also enjoy the way I look in their shapewear.  Clearly, Barely There is a company I can trust and you should, too!

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.