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Lingerie 101

How to Hand-Wash a Bra Step by Step

Hand washing is gentler on elastic, lace and moulded cups. A simple routine can help a favourite bra keep its shape for longer.

Hand washing is gentler on elastic, lace and moulded cups. A simple routine can help a favourite bra keep its shape for longer.

Quick answer: Start with your measurements, then check the garment details that affect fit. A good result should feel secure while still letting you breathe, sit and move naturally.

What to look for

This choice is less about chasing a perfect label and more about understanding how the garment behaves on your body. Look at the band or waist, the shape of the cups or panels, the stretch of the fabric and where the seams sit. Retailer photographs can help, but the product description and size chart are just as important.

A practical fitting checklist

  • Take fresh measurements and compare them with the brand’s own chart.
  • Try the garment with the clothes you expect to wear over it.
  • Move your arms, sit down and take a few normal breaths.
  • Check for riding up, pinching, gaping or pressure at the edges.
  • Keep the receipt and check the retailer’s hygiene and returns rules before removing tags.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is treating the size label as a promise. Materials behave differently, brands grade differently and the same person can need different styles for different outfits. Another mistake is choosing the strongest support available when a lighter construction would be more comfortable and just as effective for the occasion.

How to shop with Underiva

Use our the edit guide to understand the basics, then browse bras and lingerie by style. Underiva links you to retailers, so always confirm current price, stock, size availability, delivery and returns on the retailer’s page.

Questions people ask

Should I size up immediately?

Not always. Check whether the issue comes from the band, cup shape, fabric or strap position before changing the whole size.

Can one style work for everyone?

No. Fit depends on body shape, proportions, movement and personal comfort. Use advice as a starting point, not a verdict.

How often should I recheck the fit?

Recheck when your body, comfort or wardrobe changes, and whenever a bra or garment starts behaving differently.

Underiva editorial note: product details and availability can change. We may earn a commission when you follow a retailer link, at no extra cost to you.

The Underiva Edit

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