Choosing a suitable bra material is as important as finding a bra that fits. You’ll wear your bra all day and want it to be comfortable and support your breasts without irritating.
Opting for thin, smooth and robust fabrics like cotton and microfiber. Lace can also be a good choice, but make sure it’s not too soft under t-shirts or other light-colored clothes.
Cotton
The material of your lingerie can make all the difference to how it feels on your body. This is especially true regarding bras, which are often used and must be very comfortable.
Cotton is a popular choice for making bras, as it’s soft and gentle on your skin. It’s also very breathable as a fabric, so it helps keep your breasts cool and dry.
Some cotton bras are made with only cotton, while others contain other materials like elastane (also known as Lycra or Spandex). Elastane is a synthetic fiber often mixed with cotton to provide lasting elasticity.
Some organic cotton bras, such as TVGB’s, use a Lenzing TENCEL thread to replace regular elastane/spandex in the band and cups, which makes them incredibly soft and stretchy. And they’re compostable – the fibers break down in a worm farm in just eight weeks, so there is no landfill waste!
Bio-Based Spandex
Choosing the right bra material ensures comfort, support and durability. Many different options are available for bras, each with its benefits.
A trendy fabric, cotton is comfortable, absorbent and machine washable. It’s also available in various colors and patterns, making it versatile for casual and formal wear.
This is a synthetic fiber made from elastane, a polymer that has been designed to be highly stretchy. It’s an excellent choice for sports bras because it allows them to remain tight-fitting without causing discomfort.
It’s also a good choice for clothing because it provides an extremely lightweight and breathable feel. It’s also highly durable and wrinkle-resistant, a big plus.
A spandex company has recently made strides in the green space, with several bio-based spandex innovations underway. This includes a new, plant-based fiber that uses dextrose from corn for production.
However, it’s important to note that spandex is not biodegradable, so when it’s recycled and sold, it’s contributing to water pollution. This is why some companies use more sustainable materials like cotton for their bras.
Silk
Silk is an incredibly soft, durable fabric used to make high-end lingerie since the early 20th century. It has a unique weave that produces a satin finish, giving it a shine and almost liquid appearance.
It’s a natural fiber that can help regulate your body temperature, helping to keep you warm during the winter and cool in the summer. You’ll also find that it’s incredibly breathable, wicking away moisture to keep you feeling comfortable all day.
The natural fibers in silk can also help to reduce menopausal hot flashes, a common symptom associated with menopause. It’s also known to reduce the effects of aging, including wrinkles and fine lines.
It’s an excellent choice for a stylish and comfortable bra made from a traditional or stretch silk charmeuse (a silk/spandex blend). Other options include modal, a semi-synthetic fiber that feels luxurious but is less expensive than silk.
Lace
The suitable bra material can make a difference in how you feel. It can help you feel comfortable, supported, and secure throughout the day.
Lace is the classic choice for lingerie because it is versatile, sensual, and feminine. It also feels soft against the skin and fits breasts of all sizes.
It is a durable material made in different colors and styles. It is often used for the cups of bras but can also be adapted for other parts of the bra.
Another type of lace is guipure, a finer, more delicate fabric often used for lingerie. It is usually made from a mix of polyamide and polyester fibers that provide good color retention and don’t fade when washed.
It is usually mixed with spandex for the band of bras, as it has the stretch needed to fit around your body and hook up in the back. The lining fabric should be a firmer material, like power mesh. It should have the same stretch as the band, or it won’t be comfortable to wear.
Other
Choosing a suitable bra material can be an intimidating process. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different styles and materials, so it’s essential to research before purchasing a new piece of lingerie.
The central part of a bra is the cups, which provide support and shape to your breasts. Cup fabric can be made from various materials, including cotton, lace, spandex and nylon.
Another popular fabric for bra cups is stretch mesh. It combines spandex and nylon, offering significant stretch in both directions but with a minimal cross-grain bit.
A good option for lining a bra with a stretchy cup fabric is 15 denier nylon. This lightweight and sheer lining adds next to no bulk to your garment while keeping it soft against the skin.
Other materials for bras include wool and microfiber. These fabrics are an excellent choice for sports bras because they have moisture-wicking properties that help keep you dry during exercise.
