That moment of truth hits hard and fast, and it’s totally undeniable when the rim is broken. If it just peeks out; making unexpected appearances… or starts “biting” in the middle of the workday; well, somehow we can postpone the inevitable for a while longer… Discovering one morning, that a cup is completely lifeless and has no wire at all; that’s another “instant recognition” moment.

When the underwire of your bra breaks
It is ALWAYS very frustrating, inconvenient… and aggravating when an earring breaks. When the bra is expensive; it can become a major problem for the user. A good bra costs more than $150. The only real comparison I can think of, which is really up there with trauma from a broken wire; it’s a tire puncture. It has to be repaired/replaced, it’s going to be expensive, and it has to be NOW!

One of my clients was driving to work, in heavy traffic, when he felt the click. After a frustrating morning at work; she called me on the phone and made the trip across town during lunch to drop off her bra to get it repaired and buy a new one in a hurry. It is a costly and aggravating problem.

Why do the rings break?
When the rings break; it is almost always a recurring problem for the user; and is usually not a defect in the construction of the bra. When this tends to happen on the same side of the bra each time; It is because of the asymmetry of the body. Yes; most of us have one breast a little fuller than the other. This also explains why your bra might consistently pull slightly to the side, clasp center front, or need a shoulder strap to be a little tighter. The larger the cups; more stress this imbalance of weight and volume puts on the underwire of the bra. Eventually something has to “give”

When the underwire of your bra comes off
When the ring comes out of the casing; can lead to some interesting moments. If you’re lucky; You will notice it before you put it on.

The teacher I know was giving a lecture when she felt that “something strange” was going on. She was embarrassed to look down and discover that the underwire of her bra had slipped out of her shell and was forming a silver metal crescent on the top of her chest. Life is hard enough without moments like that!

Why the hoops “break through”
When the cable is lost; that is, when you take your clothes out of the washer or dryer and discover that your bra is now irregularly shaped and somewhat saggy on one side; it could be due to their washing techniques.

The arm ring should NEVER be placed in the washer or dryer. That stray cord is likely stuck under the agitator, and will soon manifest its malevolence by wreaking havoc on your washing machine. That’s double damage! The shaking motion of the washer causes the wires to “come out” of the bra. Underwire loss is just one of the nasty things your bra can succumb to in the washing machine. Stretched and tangled straps, crooked and ripped studs, frayed lace, are some of the others.
You will be doing it yourself; and the pocket of him a great favor when washing his arms by hand.

When your cables “bend”
For women with larger busts, the weight and pressure of the breast on the underwires can cause the shape of the underwire to sag. Cups become shallow and wide, compromising the integrity of the bra over time. Replacing the underwires can give you back that ‘new’ fit, and compared to the cost of a new bra, it can be a very cost-effective solution.

Bottom line: Proper washing and consistent care of your new bra is a must to maintain its good fit and integrity. Reputable, high-end lingerie retailers will always repeat the mantra “hand wash, hang dry, no washers or dryers please” and add “don’t fold the cups together” (for molded cups). I suggest you make the effort to pay attention to the washing and care recommendations of your bra specialist (you know, the place you spent all that money). but a good bra lasts a long time; And replacing that errant underwire is a very viable possibility, if the rest of the bra is in good shape.