After years of buying 'em and wearing 'em, most women think they everything they need to bras. But the truth is, there is a surprising amount of "facts" out there that actually aren't so, well, factual!
Whether regarding what bras do versus what they're supposed to do, how long they last, or how to take care of them, there are tons of common misconceptions that could be affecting the way you shop for and wear your bras.
Below, check out six myths about bras, debunked!
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1. Myth: The good ones last a lifetime. Have you ever talked yourself into buying a really expensive bra because you'll think it'll last longer anyway? The truth, all bras can only do their job effectively for about six to nine months. After that they start to lose their shape. And even if you follow best practices (like hand washing instead of machine washing), the longest you should wear any is still only about a year.
2. Myth: Sleeping in a bra will keep your breasts perky. Whether you wear a bra during sleep or not actually doesn't really have any effect at all. Wearing one won't cause harm, so it's fine if you feel more comfortable with one on, but it doesn't do much support-wise since your ligaments aren't getting stretched out significantly anyway.
3. Myth: The average size is a 34B. First it was a 34B, then the average supposedly went up to a 36C. But the truth is there's a difference between which size consumers buy the most of and an "average." And since all bras vary so much, depending on the brand and the individual wearing it, there really is no such thing as one average size.
4. Myth: Bras increase breast cancer risk by trapping toxins. Bras, even ones with underwire, do NOT impact a woman's risk of getting breast cancer. In fact, no research has ever backed the claim that the fit or type of a bra is linked to breast cancer at all.
5. Myth: Cups do all of the supporting. Actually, it's the bra's band that does most of the heavy lifting–not the cups, the underwire, or the straps. So when shoppping for bras, make sure you find a band that hugs your body and stays in place when you move around.
6. Myth: The whitest bra is the lightest bra. Many think that wearing a white bra under a white shirt is the least visible option when actually, nude or flesh-colored bras blend in better. The trick is not to get just any nude bra though, but to get one that matches your skin tone as closely as possible, so go darker or lighter depending on your coloring.
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