Bra Time

March 14, 2025

So way too frequently I have to replace my bra.  A couple of weeks ago I was looking at one of my woven core patterns and thinking that the  bust line had dropped.  I had tried on a newer bra and it seemed fine so I didn't worry about it.  

But here's the truth, this bra has not only seen better days, it's lost a lot of its stretch and ability to support.

The first sign is the wringling bra straps that speak of elastic that has either stretched past it's limits or else its simply losing its stretch.  

Spandex, Elastane, and Lycra are all basically the same thing—there are tradenames and local names—in the US, it's Lycra or Spandex, and in Europe, it's Elastane. But it's all stretchy-stretchy, which means it really does stretch, sometimes three times its length. It also has remarkable recovery.  

This gets into the two types of stretch fabrics - mechanical and content.  A mechanical stretch is like a knit.  It is woven to be stretchy but it can also ravel and its recovery is not as fast as a content stretch.  A content stretch has stretch in the content of the fiber, so that the strand of fiber stretches.  It has the recovery that we all know and love, but it also has a limited lifetime in that with age it cracks, and gets old and loses its ability to stretch.  So there are good parts and bad parts to either stretch type fabric.  

Most of our undergarments are made with Elastane and therefore have a shelf life usually of 5 to 7 years, depending upon how many washings.  And this is exactly the predicament I'm in with this bra.  

Precisely there are two problems, 

• The bra strap no longer has any stretch and I've moved the adjustable clip all the way to the front.  It keeps slipping back and simply won't hold
• Those straps have the clear symptom that they are losing stretch.  

Although this bra still works for me, the left side is going to be a problem, and I'll be constantly reaching in to lift or readjust that strap so that it sits comfortably.  This bra is no long comfortable, even though it may look ok on the outside.

The no-bra look on the left is different from the bra look on the right. The bra still provides good support and matches all my side bust darts, but it's no longer comfortable. I still feel support and feel more like standing up straight with my bra on, which is a plus.  

But the bra has seen better days and it's really not that much to go ahead and purchase a couple of more bras.  About 7 years ago I went to a local department store, which happens to be the best place in town to purchase bras.  I had a wonderful lady wait on me, and purchased three bras.  Fortunately I've been able to get this replacement online since I've bought that bra.  

The blue version is about half the price of the nude version, and I have that, but I rarely wear it - only for specific occasions - like my white shirt.  

It's funny how these bra replacements sneak up on us and it was just last year (or so it seems) that I bought a new bra, when it was actually more like 3 years ago.  It's one of those things that makes a remarkable difference in the look and fit of our clothes.  Most importantly, they make a startling difference in our posture and can take 10 years off our figure if the placement is correct.  An artificial or otherwise lower bust line can add ten years to your figure.  With this simple process and monitoring, you will have a lovely figure into your 90s, and yes, that long isn't unreasonable.  

All three of these ladies have two things in common.  They look perfect for their age and have good undergarments to help them look better.  

Bras are remarkable that way, and it doesn't have to be uncomfortable or restrictive.    And it helps your posture.  There's no reason this simple structure can't be a huge part of your wardrobe, especially when it makes you look so much better, stand better, and is healthier for your mind and body.

The SewingArtistry Resource Library is designed to contain information to not only make your sewing better, but to aid in you fitting and flattering your shape, size and style.  Check it out. 

Look for future classes coming in 2024
The Core Pattern Shirt, (one of my favorites for woven core pattern that you can make into a myriad of different garments), 
Basic Knit Top (core pattern class for knit basic tops, shells, tees, dresses, and tunics)
 

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