By; DAISY HEMMEN
Some people’s underwear drawers look straight out of a magazine photoshoot. Others are indistinguishable from the laundry pile.
Does it matter what your underwear and lingerie drawer looks like? The short answer is yes.
Storing your bras in-between wears is a crucial but often neglected part of proper care. Proper storage can help prolong the life of your bras, so they stay comfortable, supportive, and damage-free for as long as possible. [Hint: wireless bamboo bras are so much easier to store than wired bras!]
In this short guide, we’ll cover where and how to store bras.
Where to Stash Your Bras
Dealing with limited space can make it hard to figure out the best place to store your bras. Luckily, there are a variety of options that can fit almost any lifestyle or living situation.
Drawers
One of the most common and straightforward options for bra storage space is a drawer. Tucked away but easily accessible, drawers are great for both storing and organizing bras of all shapes and sizes.
Wondering how to store bras in a drawer?
- Start with an empty drawer to avoid overcrowding or clutter
- Add a drawer organizer or dividers to help with arrangement and organization
- Avoid stacking them directly on top of each other
- Instead, arrange them along the bottom, tucking them inside of each other
How to Store Bras in a Bag
Another tip is to store your bras in a silk bag (or a bag made of similar soft material).
Water, perfume, and even other fabrics can damage bras if they’re exposed over time. A storage bag prevents them from ever making contact.
Bags can be hung up in a clothes closet to preserve drawer space. Or, if you have space, the bags can be placed inside a drawer to prevent damage from moving parts.
How to Store Bras in a Hanging Organizer
Many of us have hanging shoes or accessory organizers that make good use of vertical space in a closet.
If you’re short on drawer space, use your organizer!
Compartments are an easy way to sort different bras into categories by material, shape, color, cup size, or frequency of wear. As a bonus, bras take up less space in your bra organizer than in your drawers, freeing up valuable real estate for other bulkier clothing.
Storing Non-Molded vs. Molded Bras
Now for the tricky part: figuring out how to store different kinds of bras.
One of the most important things to remember when storing your bras is that different styles and materials will require different kinds of care. Typically, bras can be divided into two broad categories:
- Molded
- Non-molded
A molded bra contains padding and wires that mold your natural curves into an even, symmetrical shape. While the shaping of a padded bra can provide extra support and lift, it can become uncomfortable over time. Because these bras are less flexible than a sports bra, for example, they should not be folded in storage. Instead, lay them flat, hang them, or tuck them inside of each other.
Non-molded bras may have lining or padding, but do not change or add contours. Most of these bras, including bralettes and sports bras, can safely be folded to help save space.
Keeping these things in mind, let’s go over the best practices for different types of bras.
How to Store Different Kinds of Bras
There are many different styles of bras that all have different storage needs. Some examples of different types of bras include:1
- Push-up Bras
- Demi Bras
- T-Shirt Bras
- Unlined Bras
- Sports Bras
- Bralettes
- Bandeaus or Tube Bras
- Strapless Bras
Luckily, these can be subdivided into two main categories: underwire vs wireless bras.
Storing Underwire Bras
Underwire bras have a characteristic wire under the padded cups that provides extra support. From push-up bras to strapless bras and beyond, underwire bras always include a rigid plastic or metal U underneath the cup.
A common mistake is to fold underwire bras in half and invert one bra cup inside of the other. This can cause damage to the middle of the bra, the molded cups, and the wire inside.
Instead of folding, lay underwire bras flat or fit them inside each other in a drawer, bin, or organizer.
Storing Wireless Bras
Sports bras, bralettes, and unlined bras are a lot more flexible than bras with padding or writing. Even if they have molding, wireless bras can be folded to conserve space. Feel free to store these bras in an underwear drawer, bag, bin, or organizer.
Find Your Perfect Fit with Boody
Ready to ditch the underwire and free up your storage options?
Boody’s bamboo underwear and activewear lines are crafted with comfort and sustainability in mind. With undies made from breathable bamboo viscose, you can feel as good as you look.
All of our bras are made without wiring or hooks to ensure maximum comfort and a seamless design. Plus, you won't have to worry about losing their shape or being damaged by folding in storage. However, if you are unsure how to wash bras, make sure to check out our blog post because improperly washing your bra can lead to even more severe damage than folding!
You won’t want to take off your Boody bra—but when you do, it’s as easy to store as it is to wear.
About the Author:
Daisy Hemmen is a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business alumni. Based in Encinitas, California, Daisy is a part of the marketing team at Boody North America. She is passionate about learning the ins and outs of living a happy and healthy lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet, and enjoys sharing her bountiful findings with the community.
Sources:
- Cosmopolitan. 23 types of bras in 2020. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g28424595/types-of-bras/
You may also like
Guide
The Best Father's Day 2023 Gifts...according to Boody
Father’s Day takes place on the third Sunday in June; this year it’s June 18th, 2023. For many of us, buying both a thoughtful and useful gift for our father’s and fatherly figures can typically prove to be a dilemma.
Guide
What to Look for When Buying Activewear
When it comes to what you workout in, it's important to consider how they make you feel and look—but also their impact on the environment. That's where sustainable activewear by Boody comes in.
Guide
What is Organic Cotton?
By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
