FAQS
ALL ABOUT BRAS
what is the best way to put on a bra?
Hook & Spin
- Wrap your bra around your waist and hook the closure in the front. Make note of where the label or tag is.
- Turn your bra clockwise until the front is centered. This will ensure that the excess fabric on the adjustment flap lays flat against your back.
- Bring your bra up until the band rests directly under your breasts.
- Slip the straps over your shoulders.
- Glide one finger along the spot where your bra's label is to make sure itās smooth and flat against your skin.
- Pull down on the back of your bra so it rests beneath your shoulder blades. Make sure the line of your bra is horizontal from front to back.
- Bend over at your waist and ease your breasts into the cups. One way to do this is by pulling the band down and shaking until your breasts fall into place. You can also try moving your breast around with your hand until it is satisfactorily in the cup. Once in the cups, your nipples should be centered into the fullest point of the cup and the cup should completely contain your breast (except for in push-up and demi cup styles). If your bra has a center seam, make sure your nipple is on the seam. This will reduce the visibility of your nipples.
- Stand upright and visually check to see that your breasts are in the proper position.
Note: Critics of this method say that rotating the bra around the torso to move the closing fastener to the back wears down the inside of the bra. I disagree. There are also many women who don't have the dexterity to hook a bra in the back. Oh, and a little talcum powder can help the bra spin more readily around your waist.
Upside-Down Hook & Spin
It sounds strange, but I have an associate who swears by this method.
- Wrap your bra around your waist inside out and upside down, then hook the closure. Make note of where the label or tag is.
- Turn your bra clockwise or counterclockwise until the front of your bra is centered.
- Flip your bra up so the band is right side out and resting directly under your breasts.
- Slip the straps over your shoulders.
- Glide one finger along the spot where your bra's label is to make sure itās smooth and flat against your skin.
- Pull down on the back of your bra so it rests beneath your shoulder blades. Make sure the line of your bra is horizontal from front to back.
- Bend over at your waist and ease your breasts into the cups. One way to do this is by pulling the band down and shaking until your breasts fall into place. You can also try moving your breast around with your hand until it is satisfactorily in the cup. Once in the cups, your nipples should be centered into the fullest point of the cup and the cup should completely contain your breast (except for in push-up and demi cup styles). If your bra has a center seam, make sure your nipple is on the seam. This will reduce the visibility of your nipples.
- Stand upright and visually check to see that your breasts are in the proper position.
Note: It may take you a couple of extra seconds to figure out the starting bra position, at least until you are used to this technique.
Stretch & Hook
- Begin by slipping the straps over your shoulders. Make note of the location of the bra's label.
- Bend over at the waist and ease your breasts into the cups. Your nipples should be centered into the fullest point of the cup, and the cup should completely contain your breast (with the exception of push-up and demi cup styles).
- Hook the bra closure in back, and then stand upright.
- Glide one finger along the spot where your bra's label is to make sure itās smooth and flat against your skin.
- Pull down on the back of your bra so it rests beneath your shoulder blades. Make sure the line of your bra is horizontal from front to back.
- Visually check to see that your breasts are in the proper position.
Note: This technique can be challenging for someone who is not limber enough to put two hands behind their back. It is also difficult to tell if the bra is on the proper closure without checking in the mirror.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HAVE PLUMPER LOOKING BREASTS?
WHATāS THE PSYCHE OF YOUR BRA SIZE?
I'M AN "A" CUP. DO I REALLY NEED TO WEAR A BRA?
What A-cup women need most from a bra is definition and support. Bras with light padding will give your breasts natural shape. Padded bras with bump pads can even give you some cleavage. You may not be looking for cleavage or to enhance your shape ā and that's fine, too. But even A-cups need tissue and muscle support. There are bras without padding in your size on the market that still provide support and have underwires.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE WOMEN MAKE WHEN TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT BRA SIZE?
HOW MANY HOOKS DO I NEED ON MY BRA CLOSURE?
DO THIN BRA STRAPS PROVIDE ENOUGH SUPPORT?
If thin bra straps are so tight that theyāre digging into your shoulders, theyāre likely putting downward pressure on the cervical nerve, which is the nerve that runs from your neck to your shoulders. The cervical nerve is very important to the nervous system ā and any damage to it can cause frequent neck pain, headaches and/or numbness. Eventually, this can develop into pain that runs from your shoulders to your hands. To avoid this, make sure your bra fits correctly and your straps aren't being asked to do more than they are designed for .
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY STRAPS ARE ADJUSTED CORRECTLY?
I HAVE NARROW SHOULDERS AND MY STRAPS KEEP FALLING DOWN. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
WHAT COLOR BRAS SHOULD I BUY?
WHAT COLOR BRA CAN I WEAR UNDER A BLACK TOP?
WHAT TYPE OF BRA SHOULD I WEAR UNDER DIFFERENT STYLES OF TOPS?
- Tight Sweater: Seamless, uplifting bra
- Bulky Sweater: Shaping bra
- Sheer: Seamless, nude colored bra
- Tight Tee/Polo: Seamless bra
- Halter, Tank or Strapless: Strapless, convertible or halter bra
- Business Suit without a Blouse: Low center panel or front-closure bra
WHEN CAN I WEAR A FANCY LACE BRA?
Well, let's talk about this. You're right; these types of bras don't work under T-shirts, turtlenecks or sheer fabrics. However, they are a psychological picker-upper. Any woman will tell you that if she's feeling down, there's nothing better than a pretty bra to make you feel feminine and lift your spirits. European women have been wearing them for years. No one knows what you're wearing but you, but you know it and it makes you feel better. So, if you spend the day in scrubs, a traditional suit, or a jogging suit, wearing a pretty bra (and better yet, include its matching panty) will help you feel more confident.
WHEN SHOULD I WEAR LACE AND WHEN SHOULD I WEAR SEAMLESS?
WHAT BRA STYLE IS BEST FOR DEEP-V NECKLINES?
WHAT BRA IS BEST TO WEAR WITH SPAGHETTI STRAPS?
DO I REALLY NEED AN UNDERWIRE BRA?
ARE DEMI BRAS FOR EVERYDAY WEAR OR JUST FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS?
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEMI BRA AND A PUSH-UP BRA?
WHY DO ALL MY BRAS SEEM TO COME FROM ONE MANUFACTURER?
I'M ALLERGIC TO LATEX. WHAT CAN I DO?
WHY DO MANUFACTURERS DISCONTINUE GREAT BRA STYLES?
At HerRoom, we also lump manufacturersā products into collections. Items within a collection tend to match and fit almost identically. Click on our "Similar Items" tab at the bottom of the page to see other styles within the same manufacturer. We also keep tabs on discontinued styles on our site. So, find your favorite lingerie pieces and plug their style number into our search window and we will give you their status and whether the manufacturer has a suggested replacement style.
WHY SHOULD I PAY MORE THAN $25 FOR A BRA?
"A bra that is comfortable and pretty is worth the investment and it makes you feel good. Don't be penny wise and comfort foolish - you deserve the best!" - Tomima
BRA TIPS FOR FULL-FIGURED WOMEN
MY STRAPS PAINFULLY DIG INTO MY SHOULDERS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
WHY DO MY UNDERWIRE BRAS ALWAYS POKE ME?
WHY DO I NEED A WIDER BAND ALONG THE BACK OF MY BRA?
IS A D CUP IN A 36D DIFFERENT FROM A D CUP IN, SAY, A 42D?
IS IT IMPORTANT THAT MY BRA REST ON MY STERNUM BETWEEN CUPS?
WHY ARE THE BOTTOMS OF MY BREASTS OFTEN RED OR BRUISED?
WHERE ARE A FULL-FIGURED WOMANāS BREASTS SUPPOSED TO SIT?
WHATāS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE FULL-FIGURED WOMEN MAKE IN SIZING A BRA?
DO FULL-FIGURED WOMEN HAVE TO WEAR ONLY UNDERWIRE BRAS?
MATERNITY & LINGERIE
WHY CANāT I WEAR REGULAR BRAS THROUGHOUT MY PREGNANCY?
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY A MATERNITY BRA?
HOW MUCH IS MY BREAST SIZE GOING TO CHANGE DURING MY PREGNANCY?
HOW DO I MEASURE FOR A MATERNITY BRA?
WHAT FEATURES SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A MATERNITY BRA?
- Wide side bands and shoulder straps to support growing breasts
- Shoulder straps that have some cushioning and donāt stretch
- Three or more back closures (this will give you the most flexible fit)
- A band that lies under your breasts and on your rib cage without creeping up on your breast tissue. Band pressure on your breast tissue could lead to a plugged duct and ultimately cause mastitis or a breast infection.
If you're pregnant during the summer or find youāre getting hot easily, look for bras made from 100% cotton. Also, keep in mind that youāll be wearing these bras for several months after your baby is born, so it is wise to buy a good bra that will adjust with your changing sizes.
SHOULD I GET A SOFT CUP OR UNDERWIRE MATERNITY BRA?
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY A NURSING BRA?
WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR FINDING A WELL-FITTING MATERNITY/NURSING BRA?
HOW MANY MATERNITY/NURSING BRAS DO I NEED TO HAVE?
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PUT ON A MATERNITY/NURSING BRA?
ALL ABOUT ACTIVEWEAR
WHATāS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPORTS BRA AND A REGULAR BRA?
WHY DO I NEED A SPORTS BRA?
HOW MUCH SUPPORT DO I NEED?
When choosing a sports bra, consider the activity. It is very possible that you will need several sports bras made for different impact levels. Breast size also plays a part. Larger breasts need more support to control motion and reduce bounce.
To give you an idea of which impact level you need for your physical activity, weāve grouped various activities under their respective impact levels here:
Low Impact | Medium Impact | High Impact |
Weight Training Spinning Snow Skiing Walking Cycling In-Line Skating |
Rowing Golf Tennis Martial Arts Step Aerobics Lacrosse Stair Climbing Field Hockey |
Basketball Softball Horseback Riding Racquetball Volleyball Running |
Note: Several of these sports can be more stressful, depending on your level of playing intensity.
WHAT SPORTS BRA STYLE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
IāM SMALL-CHESTED. DO I STILL NEED TO WEAR A SPORTS BRA?
CAN I JUST WEAR TWO BRAS INSTEAD OF A SPORTS BRA?
LAUNDERING YOUR LINGERIE
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LAUNDER MY BRAS?
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LAUNDER MY PANTIES?
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LAUNDER SHAPEWEAR?
WHAT ARE SOME GENERAL TIPS ON WASHING LINGERIE?
- Separate your lingerie by color ā light, medium and dark ā and wash them separately. Lighter colored garments can be stained by the dyes in darker colored garments.
- Separate man-made materials (e.g. polyester) from natural materials (e.g. cotton). Man-made materials and fibers can pick up the oils released by natural materials during washing. Over time, these oils will build up and make spots on man-made materials more obvious.
- Include both larger and smaller sized items in each load. This way, your garments will be able to move more freely throughout the washing cycles.
- Separate delicate fabrics from tough fabrics like denim and terry cloth. This will lessen the friction of the fabrics against each other.
- Lint-generating fabrics (like fleece and towels) should be washed separately from lingerie. The lint from these materials clings to lingerie fabrics.
- Don't overload the washer. If the washer is too full, the garments won't get enough agitation to get clean, and the laundry soap may not spread evenly though the load thus leaving globs of detergent on certain items.
WHAT ARE SOME GENERAL TIPS ON DRYING LINGERIE?
- Whenever itās possible, line-dry your lingerie. This will extend its lifespan.
- If you do put your lingerie in the dryer, be sure to lightly shake them out and untwist them first. This will allow even drying and reduce wrinkling.
- Don't overload the dryer. An overloaded dryer wonāt allow items to tumble freely, making the drying process slower and causing wrinkling.
- Only leave your garments in the dryer for the time it takes to get rid of wrinkles and moisture ā donāt let them dry for too long. Heat can set wrinkles, increase static cling and shrink your garments. This applies to natural and man-made materials.
- Acrylic, nylon, polyester, and microfibers have a lower moisture absorbency, so theyāre faster drying. Use a low temperature setting when drying garments made with these materials.
- Once you remove your items from the dryer, hang or fold them immediately. Garments left in a heap will wrinkle.
CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC FABRICS?
Most acetate garments should be dry cleaned ā but some acetate knits are washable. Check the label to be sure. If it is washable, hand wash as follows:
- Gently hand wash with mild suds
- Donāt twist or ring out when finished
- When washing colored items, donāt soak
- If ironing is necessary, use a cool iron while your garment is still damp. First, press your garment on the wrong side. Finish ironing the right side with the cool iron and a pressing cloth.
- Lay circular knits flat to dry
Acrylic
Acrylic items can be either washed or dry cleaned. If you wash them yourself, hand wash as follows:
- Hand wash in warm water
- Gently squeeze out water and smooth or shake the item out
- Hang the item to dry on a no-rust hanger
- Use a moderately warm iron if necessary
Cotton
Cotton is easy to wash and can withstand hotter temperatures. Follow these tips when laundering:
- Use chlorine bleach on whites and color safe bleach on dyed 100% cottons
- Use a high heat setting when drying
- Use a hot iron if necessary
Microfibers
Polyester, nylon and acrylic microfibers can be machine washed and dried or dry cleaned.
Nylon
Unless otherwise specified, nylon items can be machine washed and dried. Launder as follows:
- Machine wash in warm water
- During the final rinse cycle, add a fabric softener
- Tumble dry at a low temperature and use a dryer sheet to reduce static
- Use a warm iron if necessary
Polyester
Most items made of polyester can be machine washed and dried. They can also be dry cleaned. Launder as follows:
- Machine wash in warm water
- During the final rinse cycle, add a fabric softener
- Machine dry at a low temperature setting
- Use a moderately warm iron if necessary
Rayon
Most rayon items should be dry cleaned. However, some garments, if specified on the label, can be hand or machine-washed. In such cases, follow the label instructions.
Silk
Dry cleaning is the preferred method for cleaning silk because laundry detergent and dyes in other garments may adversely affect silk fabric. Silk items without linings or attached embellishments can be carefully hand washed. Launder as follows:
- Hand wash using mild soap and lukewarm water
- Never use chlorine bleach
- For long-term storage, keep away from light, air and insects
Spandex
Spandex can be hand or machine washed. Do not use chlorine bleach if your item contains any spandex. Launder as follows:
- Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water
- Use color safe bleach only
- Either drip dry or machine dry. If machine drying, use a low temperature setting.
- If necessary, iron rapidly on a low temperature setting without leaving the iron in one place for too long
ALL ABOUT SHAPEWEAR
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PUT ON SHAPEWEAR?
IF I NEED MORE CONTROL FROM MY SHAPEWEAR, SHOULD I GO DOWN A SIZE?
I SOMETIMES GET HOT IN MY SHAPEWEAR. ANY SOLUTIONS?
HOW CAN I USE SHAPEWEAR TO STOP MY THIGHS FROM JIGGLING AND SHAKING?
WHAT CAN I WEAR TO GET MY "GIRLISH FIGURE" BACK?
I WANT CONTROL BUT DONāT WANT TO WEAR A GIRDLE. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
ALL ABOUT PANTIES
WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO PUT ON A PANTY?
HOW DO I KEEP MY PANTIES FROM RIDING UP?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY PANTIES?
THE ELASTIC IN MY PANTY LEGS IS TOO BINDING. WHY?
HOW CAN I GET RID OF PANTY LINES?
WHATāS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A THONG AND A G-STRING?
WHO WEARS THONGS AND WHY?