When it comes to how many bras women own, it’s usually a tale of two extremes — you’re either rotating the same 3 pieces or your top drawer is stuffed with so many styles you can hardly pop it open.
Whether you’re an absolute bra enthusiast or a one-and-done kind of lady, have you ever wondered if there was a definitive number that you should actually own?
How many bras should a woman have?
Unfortunately, some bras can fall into the realm of those clutter accessories that just never really work out. Whether you wanted to experiment with a new fabric that left much to be desired, or you bought one willy-nilly without trying it on, the number of bras you have might not always be the number you actually wear.
There are a couple of core factors when determining how many bras you should own — functionality, fashion, fit, and lifestyle all play huge roles in calculating that golden number.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s important to have a healthy rotation of bras at the ready so that you’re never left blindsided — and bare chested.
All things considered, we’d suggest owning 11 bras in total in a couple of distinctive styles that range from everyday to on-occasion.
What types of bras should a woman have?
Much like with underwear, different bra styles have different functions and occasions to be worn.
More functional bras work in tandem with your everyday wardrobe. For your 9-5, we’d suggest owning at least 3 traditional wired-bras that won’t be visible under t-shirts and blouses.
Want that perfect weekend wonder? Supplement that top drawer with 3 bralettes, for practical yet fashion-savvy seamless additions to any outfit or aesthetic.
Hitting the gym or having just your run of the mill errand day? Don’t forget to have at least 3 sport bras on hand, especially because you’re bound to have to wash these more often.
For your more special occasions -- whether it’s date night with that special someone, a fancy dinner with the besties, or you just woke up feeling extra -- owning 2 supremely sexy, confidence-boosting brassieres is never a bad idea.
What color bras should you get?
We suggest owning a blend of basics combined with some colorful contrast when building out your bra & bralette collections.
Owning practical colors such as black, white, and nude (depending on your skin tone) are always a smart move, as you’ll more than likely pull from this selection on a day-to-day basis.
Because we see undergarments as the foundational layer of self expression, you know we are hardly opposed to getting funky with it! Punch up your bra collection with reds, blues, purples, yellows and greens.
Ultimately, feeling comfortable and confident in your bras is the most important factor.
How should you wash bras & bralettes?
We’ve found the best way to keep your bras looking brand new while maintaining good hygienic practices is to wash on gentle and recommend line-drying but you can tumble low in your dryer.
If you find yourself digging more saturated hues, make sure to wash your bras cold water to keep the colors looking as vibrant as the day you got them. An added bonus? This it’s an easy way to reduce carbon emissions when washing.
Make sure to attach the hooks to the eyes before popping into the machine to prevent snags!
Looking for a new bralette? Parade's got you covered
Our product team spent two years developing Parade bralettes to provide weightless support and unreal comfort in our full range of sizes.
» Parade Scoop bralette | Parade Triangle bralette
Here are a few of the things that make our bralettes so special:
1. We fit and designed each size from scratch, using women of all shapes and sizes. This means that the XS bralette is not just a smaller version of the XL bralette, but rather, a version of the bralette design optimized for that size range. This is not industry standard!
2. We developed our exclusive AirBand™ — a new kind of under-bust elastic that feels feather-light and has no unnecessary digging.
3. We listened to you, our models, and our team throughout the design journey. Our bralettes were truly co-created by our community and deliver on all the qualities you found to be most important.
4. We employed a pattern-maker who specializes in bras to develop the pattern for our bralettes. These designers are rare to find, but we know your comfort is worth it :)
