When to Replace a Bra, and Other Expert Lingerie Care Tips |Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing

last updated 17 March 2021

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we firmly believe that good underwear is the crux of every great outfit, and no lingerie piece is more important to get right than bras. I myself have a 32G bust, and from personal experience, I know that if I don't feel confident and supported by my bra, I won't feel confident in whatever I layer over it.

However, I have endless questions. When should I replace my bras? How should I wash them? And how do I stop them from losing their shape? In an attempt to maximise the life span of my bras, I turned to my friends at Marks Spencer HQ for advice. Buying M&S underwear is practically a Brit-girl rite of passage, so if anyone knows what they're talking about, it's them.

"A bra is at its best in its first year of being worn, and if taken care of properly, should be supportive until the last wear," reveals Julia Mercer, Marks Spencer's bra-fit expert and technical manager. So that clears up the ambiguity of when you should replace them. But how do you keep your bras in peak condition? Turns out that it's really quite simple…

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Check the care label: "You might not think it, but many bras are dry-clean only, which means they'll likely spend more time in your laundry basket being bent out of shape than actually being worn," Mercer explains. "All of Marks Spencer's bras are machine washable (even silky styles), so you're more likely to wash them regularly which, in turn, keeps them fresh."

Get the temperature right: "While we're all trying to be more cautious when it comes to the temperature we wash our clothes in, you really ought to be washing your bras at 40 degrees. This is essential for ensuring they're hygienically clean," says Mercer.

Be sure to fasten: "I always recommend fastening your bras before washing," reveals Mercer. "It helps avoid any pulling and snagging on the hooks and eyes or any damage to the product or fabric."

Take time to reshape: "Once washed, instead of throwing them in the tumble drier, allow them to air-dry. Also, if they're padded, take a moment to reshape the bra with your hands while damp to help maintain its desired silhouette," says Mercer.

Storage is key: "Store your bras carefully in your lingerie drawer to avoid any underwire damage. I always advise sitting the cups inside one another, and lining them up," suggests Mercer. "This stops them from getting squashed in your drawer and helps them retain their shape for longer. It also makes it much easier to find the specific bra you want to wear each morning!"

Anything that grants us extra seconds in bed is okay by us, that's for sure. So now that you know exactly how to care for and when to replace your bras, let's take a moment to appreciate just how pretty these bras are…

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Maxine Eggenberger isBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her ownBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.