How Many Bras Should I Own? The Ultimate Bra Guide
There’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to the exact number of bras every woman should own. Some people like to have just three or four in their rotation, while some may own a few dozen or more.
Above all, we are big believers that you should curate a bra wardrobe of styles that make you feel comfortable in your own skin; bras that you actually love to wear (and yes, we believe that’s possible). It’s also helpful to own a variety of bra styles you might need for specific outfits or occasions, but if you don’t love the feeling of wearing the bras you own, we believe you should expect more because women deserve better.
So, if you’re wondering How many bras should I actually own? You’re in good company and hopefully we can help!
Why it's important to have the right number of bras
It’s a good idea to have enough bras in your top drawer to get you through a typical week, whether that involves working, going to school, going out, spending time at home, or chasing after kids… and of course laundry day.
Many women have a favorite bra, and sometimes that translates to a bra that’s overworn. It’s ideal to have at least 2-4 favorites on rotation to give the elastics some space between wears or washes. For some women that could mean owning multiples of your go-to style in different colors, or simply owning the exact same bra x3-4 to simplify your daily uniform.
Beyond owning a good number of bras, having different styles of bras on-hand in your drawer can make diverse wardrobe styling more seamless, whether it's work attire, a dress with a plunging neckline, a thin-strap tank top, clingy or sheer fabrics, or even loungewear.
Factors to consider when deciding how many bras you need
When deciding how many bras you need, consider your:
- Lifestyle
- Workouts and activity level
- Outfits and occasions
- Laundry frequency
- Personal style preferences
It's not always about the number but also the variety — and always having a clean bra on hand that you actually like and want to wear.
Lifestyle
What does your typical week look like? Do you work remotely, go to the office, travel for business? How much time do you spend at home or away from home?
Your daily activities, the dress code of where you're headed, and how busy you are can influence how many bras you need, the type of bras you need, and how often you're able to wash them.
Or maybe your weeks are unpredictable, in which case you'll need enough bras to accommodate your variable schedule.
Activity level
Do you work out multiple days a week? Is your preferred activity high-impact, like running, or more low-impact, like pilates? How often do you sweat? Depending on your activity level, and the intensity, you might need a couple of sports bras with varying degrees of support.
On the other hand, your weekly exercise could consist of daily walks or biking to work or taking your kids to the park. Though you might still get a little sweaty, you may not need a proper sports bra.
Outfits and occasions
An important part of expanding your bra collection is considering the best bra for specific occasions or wardrobe items. The majority of your bras will likely be everyday staples, such as t-shirt bras, demi bras, or supportive wireless bras. These are the bras you can wear to work, on travel days, out running errands, or just hanging around at home.
From there you might want to have a few sports bras for your preferred activities, (the exact number depends on how often you work out).
Besides that, you should also have a variety of styles reserved for special occasions and clothing cuts that may call for a specific plunging neckline or strap configuration.
Strapless tops, off-the-shoulder dresses, and anything with ultra-thin straps might call for a strapless bra or a bandeau, for example. Low-cut tops could require a plunge bra or a backless bra. If you're pregnant or postpartum, you may want a few softer-cup wireless bras with less structure and/or a pumping bra or nursing bra.
Laundry frequency
Another consideration is how often you do your laundry. If you wash your clothes once a week, ideally you’d own 3-4 go-to bras to rotate throughout the week and to wash on rotation as well. Those who do laundry multiple times a week may not need as many bras.
It’s generally a good idea to wash your most-worn bras about once per week, and to alternate wears daily among a few go-to bras. For special occasion-type bras, you might be fine to wear them a handful of times between washes, depending on how long and in what context they were worn. Unlike underwear, bras do not need to be washed after every wear, but not washing them enough can also affect the integrity of the fabric and general hygiene of the garment (ick!).
Personal style preferences
Building a bra wardrobe is also about reflecting your personal style from the base layers up. Oftentimes, we spend so much time and attention on what’s worn on the outside, that the under layers can become a neglected part of your daily uniform. It might sound cheesy, but when you build a collection of bras that you truly love and feel proud of, with or without clothes on, it sets the tone for your day. Whether or not anyone else is lucky enough to see what you’re wearing underneath, only you know how you feel about yourself. Whether that’s sheer, lacy, padded or silky, colorful or neutral, it’s worth seeking out bras that feel representative of you, just as you would with your clothing.
The essential bras every woman should own
It's practical to stock up on your favorite everyday bra. But what other bras do you need? Beyond an assortment of everyday basics, we would suggest adding in a few specialty bras that work for specific occasions or articles of clothing depending on your needs.
Everyday basics
These are the bras you rely on for a typical day at home or work and to wear with more casual clothing. Your basic bras are comfortable enough to wear for several hours — ideally, they'll be so comfortable, you won't think to immediately take them off when you get home (yes, we believe that’s possible).
For instance, Negative’s women's wireless bra collections are soft, smoothing, practical, and super comfortable. Simple yet sexy, laid-back, and endlessly versatile, many say that wearing these wire-free styles is better than being naked.
If you prefer the support of traditional underwire bras, we have those too, (and yes, they are *nearly* as comfortable as our non-wire designs!).
Specialty bras
Specialty bras are more specific, solutions-oriented pieces. These include push-up, strapless, plunge, balconette, smoothing longline bras, convertible bras with straps that can be worn multiple ways, body-molding bandeaus, and minimal-coverage bralettes for when you want to show some skin.
Tips for building and maintaining your bra collection
Rotate your bras and wash them with care
The main things that affect a bra's lifespan are how often it's worn and how many times it's washed. If you want yours to last longer, make an effort to rotate through your bras. And if you love your everyday bra and reach for it on most days, it might be worth buying a couple more of the same style.
When it comes to laundering your bras, they are delicate garments, so it’s helpful to handle them with more delicate care. Hand-washing is ideal (and strongly recommended for underwire bras specifically)l, but if you want to put them in the washing machine, consider using a mesh lingerie bag. It’s also a good idea to set the washer to a gentle cycle with cold water and a slow spin speed. Air-drying is best whether you lay your bras flat or hang them up. The heat and spin cycle from traditional dryers can fray fine fabrics and cause wires to poke through bra casings.
To avoid misshaping your bras and creasing or wrinkling any padding, try to store them flat in a lingerie drawer. Learn more about how long bras last to maintain your collection of quality, well-fitting bras.
Shop our complete bra collection
If you're looking to update your bra wardrobe, Negative is the destination for busy women looking to maximize comfort without compromising on style. We make a collection of uncomplicated luxury essentials that prioritize utility, function, and feel without sacrificing design or quality.
When you shop our selection of women's bras, you'll find understated, elevated styles that are supportive but never stiff or restrictive. Minimalist, versatile, and intimately considered, our bras can be worn any day, all day, and on every occasion.
If you need help with how to measure bra size at home, reach out! You can also check out our cheatsheet for tips and guidance on choosing bras.