How To Spring Clean Your Lingerie Drawer
New year, new lingerie, right? Now that the holidays are over and life is returning back to normal, this is the perfect time to clean out your lingerie drawer and make room for new lingerie. It’s also a good time to take stock of your current lingerie situation – are you happy with your bras? Do you need new underwear or a beautiful new robe?
In order to have a functional lingerie wardrobe (because let’s face it, no one wants to worry about what lingerie to wear in the morning), you first need to edit what you already have and then go from there. Don’t hesitate to get a bra fitting if it has been six months or longer since your last one. In fact, we’re big believers in bra fittings here. A bra fitter can determine your bra size and help you find bras that fit well and boost your confidence – all in a stress-free, judgment-free zone that is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best.
But before you plan your next shopping trip or place an online order, do yourself a favor and clean out your lingerie drawer first.
Here’s how to spring clean your lingerie wardrobe from top to bottom:
Make four separate piles: keep, mend, donate, and throw away
Keep
First things first, hold onto anything that fits well. You can always replace things or Also add special pieces (like your bridal lingerie or a favorite lingerie set that you don’t wear very often) to your keep pile, too. Basically, anything that feels well or makes you happy should go into this pile.
Mend
Do you have any bras that are showing signs of wear? You may be able to restore your bras with a needle and thread. It’s easier to sew straps back on than fix a hole in a delicate lace band, but both can typically be fixed. If you’re skilled at sewing (or know someone who can help you out), you can also take in the band of a favorite bra if the cups fit fine but the band has stretched out and feels unsupportive on the tightest hook.
Unfortunately, there are things that you can’t fix that signify that a bra is at the end of its lifespan. Misshapen cups, wires popping out, a ripped center panel, a torn band, and staining and discoloration that won’t come out with a wash are all signs that it’s time to retire a bra and replace it with a new one.
Donate
Wondering what to do with bras that you only wore once or twice (or not at all) that no longer fit? If they’re in excellent or new condition, it’s time to donate them. Many women’s shelters take bra donations as well as organizations like Free The Girls, The Bra Recyclers, Donate Your Bra, Smalls For All, Uplift Project, and Against Breast Cancer that are dedicated to providing women in need with new lingerie through donations.
Throw Away
The throw away pile is for any underwear that you’re getting rid of, bras that can’t be fixed, anything else that has seen better days. It’s never fun to toss a well-loved bra, but if it’s not supporting you, why keep it? You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.
Related: The Best Places To Donate Your Old Bras
Take inventory of your current lingerie wardrobe
Now that you’ve cleaned out your lingerie, it’s time to take inventory of what’s left. Make a note of what you have and what you’re missing. If you’re building a lingerie wardrobe from scratch, the number of bras you’ll need will mostly depend on your lifestyle.
Never miss a workout? Stock up on sports bras so you don’t have to wear the same one two days in a row. Wear a lot of t-shirts? Make sure you have a few seamless, contour bras for a clean look under clothing. Ready to spice up your lingerie drawer with a sexy lingerie set? Buy one bra and two panties to get twice the wear out of it. When you’ve determined what you need, make a list and go shopping.
Get a bra fitting and go shopping
Now comes the fun part – shopping for new lingerie! Love it or hate it, we all end up needing new bras and underwear at some point. Start with a bra fitting so you have an idea of what bra size you’ll need. Don’t be afraid to ask your bra fitter plenty of questions, like, “What is my breast shape?”, “Which styles work best for me?”, “What are my sister sizes?”, and “How do I care for my new bras?” A bra fitter will be happy to answer your questions and help you find bras that fit well and feel amazing.
Related: The 7 Golden Rules Of Lingerie Shopping
We Highly Recommend
Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.
Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.
If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.
Happy bra shopping!
