The internet is full of posts that say it is necessary to replace your bra quite frequently. But I'm sure many of these posts are written by companies that sell bras. How do you know when it's time to replace?
I'll confess to having most of my sports bras for years, and using them regularly, but as long as I feel supported I figure they're doing their job. My regular bras tend to get loose and lose shape faster, but it's hard to know when it is time to pull the trigger and get a new one...
pineapple / 12566 posts
I only do it when they are clearly worn out or are no longer supportive. I'm guessing that would be every 3 years or so? I just got rid of a ton of old ones that I hadn't worn in years.
watermelon / 14467 posts
I get a new sports bra every year or so. I wear them regularly though. Regular bras...maybe once every two years? My size is fluctuating due to pregnancy and nursing, so I get them more often now.
grapefruit / 4466 posts
@avivoca: ugh, yeah, pregnancy and nursing really complicate things. I wish I could predict what sizes I will need over the next year while there are still some great deals at the Nordstrom's Anniversary sale, but alas no idea...
honeydew / 7622 posts
I just toss old bras as needed. I buy a new one same brand, similar style 2-3 times a year.
persimmon / 1479 posts
When they are falling apart. Usually an underside is poking out and I realize it needs to retire.
I hate bra shopping.
grapefruit / 4466 posts
@winter_wonder: hah, yes to hating bra shopping. I've gotten a fitting once. My roommate raved about how great the fitting was at Victoria Secret so I decided to give it a try. The clerk was like "looks like you're a 32AA, I suggest you try our new gel bra" and brings out some monstrosity that was like strapping two gel filled balloons to your chest. In reality, I haven't been close to a AA since like 5th grade, after that, I decided I could figure out for myself if it fit!
persimmon / 1479 posts
@periwinklebee: lol! This cracks me up (especially since I used to work at VS in college)! I never knew what I was doing!
grapefruit / 4466 posts
@winter_wonder: hah hah 
I'm sure some people at VS are (much) better at sizing!
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
When the wires start stabbing me. So, not often enough. I desperately need some new ones.
@winter_wonder: @periwinklebee: I went there a couple years ago for a new bra. Two different girls told me two completely different sizes. Like 32B and 34DD...I haven't been back.
hostess / cantaloupe / 6486 posts
Usually when wires start poking out.
I recently bought my first new bra in like 3 years (!). I bought from ThirdLove and am over the moon. They give you a one month free trial of wearing the bra everyday to decide if you like it. It's the best fitting bra I've ever worn. 2 months after I purchased it, the underwire to one of the cups completely fell out in the wash (crazy as it was alone, on the gentle cycle) and they replaced it for free! I know you didn't ask for recs but I just really like this bra and am hoping it will last years lol
grapefruit / 4466 posts
@Mrs. Sunshine: Thanks, I'd never heard of them. Sounds awesome!
@Boogs: Funny to hear I'm not the only one who had that experience! I had this temporary moment of panic where I thought, for all these years I've been wearing a 34C and I'm really a 32AA, wow, how did I mess that up so badly? Then i realized the clerk had no idea what she was talking about
@sunny: Can you tell the band is too stretched out because there's a gap between the underwire and the chest, or something else? Thank you!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
Only as needed; like when they're clearly out of shape, stretched, worn, etc. I've only changed bras the most these past few years b/c of pregnancy, size changes, etc.
apricot / 360 posts
Not very often. If they are falling apart or super stretched out or something that's when I'll get rid of them. I have tons of bras in all different colors and prints, but most still have the tags on them since I like to rotate between the same 3. I should probably stop buying bras so often!
nectarine / 2436 posts
@periwinklebee: I replace my bra when the wire pops out, so like.....10 years?? Haha and I've only washed them a few times.
grapefruit / 4466 posts
@pachamama: Hah, I think the takeaway from this thread is that I won't feel bad about waiting to replace my bras until the wire pops out or they absolutely don't fit!
nectarine / 2436 posts
@periwinklebee: Absolutely! And those silly articles that say you should be washing/ dry cleaning your stuff all the time... I don't get it. If it's not visibly dirty and it doesn't smell, why subject it to the toxic chemicals that are detergents these days and the wear and tear of our fancy machines?
grapefruit / 4466 posts
@pachamama: I'll confess to never dry cleaning anything. I have some work clothes that say dry clean only, but if they're dirty I toss them in the delicate cycle with woolite. Some of them are 5+ years old, I wear them all the time, and they're holding up great still.
persimmon / 1095 posts
I couldn't tell you the last time I threw out an old every day bra. I wear them for years. I also rarely wash them as I don't sweat in them-maybe a few times a year. Is that gross? Please tell me I'm not the only one....
I've had sports bras last a good 3-4 years and that is with a lot of use. As long as I feel supported I'm happy! I always hang dry them, I think it helps them last longer. I think the 6-12 month recommendation is bogus.
persimmon / 1071 posts
@periwinklebee: I replace when they break/worn out/hurt. Like you, I've had some of my sports bras forever!
persimmon / 1183 posts
I don't replace them very often... probably should though. LOL Doesn't help that bras are like at least $20 a piece. <_<
clementine / 806 posts
@Mrs. Sunshine: how are your ThirdLove bras holding up? Do you still love them? Did you pick a size based on another bra you own, or use the app??
My boobs have shrunk since I bought all my post-nursing bras, even though I waited a few months to buy them. I need to go bra shopping AGAIN, and am intrigued by ThirdLove but skeptical about the fit and quality. I have heard that its more like Target quality at Nordstrom prices...and I can't imagine that an iphone photo would give me the right size. But then I read all these rave reviews.... very curious to hear from someone who actually owns one.
hostess / cantaloupe / 6486 posts
@MrsLonghorn: it's okay. It fits me very very very well. I didn't use the app. I measured myself and ordered based off that. I love that I got to wear it around to test the fit first. That was helpful. I had my first bra for about a month when the underwire came completely out in the wash despite it being all alone in the washing machine and having never been in the dryer. I contacted them and they replaced it for free, which was awesome. I've had this one for a while now and I feel like it's not held up as well as I'd like a $70 bra to hold up but otherwise am not unhappy. I really liked the test period but otherwise it's unremarkable
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