3m British women have worn same bra for a decade
A SURVEY of women’s undercover habits has exposed a dirty secret.
Most women in the UK keep their bras for six years, while more than one in 10 confess to wearing the same one for a week without washing it.
The research revealed that a quarter of women in the Northeast are likely wear the same bra for that time, with those between 35 and 44 the biggest culprits.
Northern Irish women aged over 65 proved to be the most fastidious in the UK, with more than half of them insisting on changing their bras at least every two days.
While most women admit to hanging on to a favourite old bra even though it is past its best, one in 10 of those surveyed owned up to having vintage bras of 11 years old lurking in the lingerie drawer.
The study, carried out by department store Debenhams, found that a third of women find fittings embarrassing, with just over a quarter saying they have not bothered being measured for a bra in the past 20 years.
It also seems that bra baffles many women.
One in four did not realise until told by researchers that the numbers in a bra size, such as 32, 34 and 38, refer to the circumference of their back and ribs in inches, or that A, B and C stand for depths of cup size.
Aliza Reger, head of the lingerie sizing brand Reger by Janet Reger said: “It is shocking to hear that more than three million women in the UK have worn the same bra for more than a decade.
“You wouldn’t wear the same pair of shoes for that time, so why would you wear the same bra?”
She explained that women’s bodies change over time and that the wear and tear of washing causes a bra to lose its elasticity – so what might have been wellfitted 10 years ago could now be causing droopiness and even pain.
“It could even be causing scarring around the side of the breast where the straps have rubbed,” Ms Reger warned.
“Lingerie is the foundation of how we dress to face the world, so it is important it fits properly and makes you feel confident and sexy.
“The right bra can transform the way you walk, talk and stand.”
Debenhams are offering women expert advice and bra fittings in their stores in exchange for old bras, which will be donated to The Salvation Army.
A spokeswoman for Debenhams said: “We have partnered with The Salvation Army for over five years.
“The partnership helps Debenhams to reduce waste and also reduces items sent to landfill, while the donations help to raise money for The Salvation Army’s support for vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK.”