When you find bras that fit and are comfortable to wear, you probably like to try holding onto them forever. However, they cannot last forever. In fact, ill-fitting bras can be painful or impact your health by restricting your lymphatic system’s drainage capabilities. Consider these four signs that you need to replace your bras.

Wires Sticking Out

If you wear wired bras, you can tell it’s time to replace them when your wires start poking out of the fabric. They can also become misshapen, bent or broken. Your wires should rest against your sternum and under your breasts comfortably. However, age and incorrect sizing can cause them to poke you in the armpit or breast.

If you want a more comfortable bra that doesn’t lose shape so quickly, you may consider finding the best wireless bra that fits your body.

Lack of Support

Over time, the fabric, straps, wires and cups of your bra can become unsupportive. Your cups can also become stretched and instead of laying flat against your breasts, they can start to gap or curl outward. This occurs when your bra stitching stretches and the fabric breaks down.

In addition, the elastic in your straps and band can loosen as it ages. This loosening decreases the strength of your elastic, causing your straps to slip and sag and your breasts to come out of the bottom of your bra.

Your Bra Is Uncomfortable

Even underwire bras can be comfortable if you have the right size and shape for your body and breasts. However, if your bra is no longer comfortable, whether you get poked by the wires, you don’t feel supported, you consistently feel like you need to adjust your bra or pull on your straps or you just don’t fit properly in the cups, you need a new bra.

Your Breasts or Body Shape Have Changed

Your bra also needs to fit properly to fully support you. Therefore, if you gain or lose weight, you will likely need a new bra.

In addition, your breast shape and size should change over your lifetime. You may have bras that fit you perfectly just a few years ago, but they don’t support you properly today. Not only can your breasts change size, but their shape can also change. If your body or breasts have changed, consider getting a bra fitting.

Factors That Impact Bra Longevity

You can extend or shorten the life of your bra based on a few factors. First, you should consider how you wear yours. For example, do you wear them once or twice a week or every other day? Also, do you keep your bra on for your eight-hour workday or wear them from the time you get up until you go to bed?

Long wear can impact the fabric and stability of your undergarments. You should also consider how you clean and care for your bras. If you wash them with your regular clothing on a normal wash cycle and dry them in the dryer, they will have a much shorter life.

These are only a few reasons you should purchase new bras. Whether you have bra fit issues or just like a different style option, see this purchase as an opportunity to get a fitting and test out new bra styles.