How to Buy Your Daughter Her First Bra

It’s hard to imagine, but our little girls are growing up faster than we imagined. In fact, they’re growing up faster than we did. Studies show that by the age of 8, many little girls are already starting to develop breasts. This can be an emotional time for girls so it’s important to try and make shopping for a first bra as easy as possible.

Thankfully, girls’ bras and our conversations about them have come a looooong way since I was young!

Instead of those old-fashioned horrible, itchy, bright white bras that showed through every single.article.of.clothing, bras now come in all sorts of fun shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Girls can choose everything from simple seamless bras and comfy pullover bras to colorfully designed bras and sporty racer-back bras.

No matter what a girl wants in her first bra, there is definitely a product made just for her.

Because the thought of shopping for a first bra can be stressful for many girls (and moms!), we’ve put together a list of tips to help:

How to Buy Your Daughter Her First Bra:

Make the experience a positive one

Even if you do not think your daughter physically needs a bra yet, she may still want one. She may notice small changes in her body that aren’t yet visible to others, may want a bra for reasons of modesty, or may not want to be embarrassed about not having one when many of her friends do. Tweens often participate in gym class, sports teams and sleepovers where they sometimes change around others, so it may be important for your daughter to feel like she fits in with her social group.

Know your options

First bras these days vary from unlined pieces without a shaped cup that provide only an extra layer of cloth underneath clothing to more standard bras with cups for support. Hanes has a full line girls’ bras that are great for all needs. You can choose a pullover or bralette or choose a seamless style with removable pads for added modesty. For girls who play sports, a racerback style can provide a sporty look and keep straps from slipping off her shoulders. Older girls may prefer molded cups for their smooth shaping and support. You can check out all of the great options at Hanes.com so you know what might work best for your daughter.

Let your daughter set the tone of the experience.

Even in the same family, some girls may react very differently from others when shopping for a first bra. If your daughter is excited about getting a bra and is open to talking about it, you can make a fun shopping trip for “Mom and Daughter” out of it. Grab a slice of pizza or an ice cream after you shop and celebrate that your little girl is growing up.

If, on the other hand, your daughter is uncomfortable talking about wearing a bra, make the experience less of an event. Casually add a few simple bras to the back to school clothing haul at the store or when ordering online and ask her to choose the ones that she feels comfortable wearing for heading back to school. Let her know that there are different options and that you’re happy to discuss them if she has any questions, but then let her have a little space.

Respect Your Daughter’s Privacy

If your daughter would be mortified if Dad sees her new bra in the laundry, buy her an inexpensive lingerie bag from a dollar store or online. The bags are great for keeping her bras from getting mixed up with her brothers’ clothes and have the added benefit of keeping all the little pads and padding together in one place.

Share what you’ve learned

Remember to share your personal insight with your daughter. If she loves the bright colors and patterns of the bras available today, gently remind her that she’ll also want some neutrals that won’t show as much through lightweight and lighter colored shirts. Share different kinds of bras with your daughter so she is aware of different types of straps, whether padding is needed/wanted, and how to put the different styles on. 

Be flexible

Because your daughter is still growing, you should consider buying a bra with a flexible fit. Look for bras with adjustable straps and removable foam inserts so they can grow and adjust with your daughter’s needs.

Reassure Your Daughter

Whether your daughter’s a late bloomer or first among her peers to wear bras, she may be self-conscious about it. Remind her that her peers are all experiencing changes around this time and that she’s not alone. Girls develop differently and along different timelines, but many will feel just as self-conscious as she does. Help her to understand that she has nothing to be embarrassed about.

My daughter already wore camisoles under some shirts and sweaters, so it was easy to transition to Hanes “cami” bras. She chose several with fun colors that are fun to wear with coordinating tanks or tops. For school, we bought several styles in neutral colors that work well under her uniform shirts for school.

Hanes has lots of options for girls that are perfect for a first bra. Whether your daughter prefers Everyday Comfort (Bralettes) like Cozy Pullover and Seamless Foam, On the Go Comfort bras (Athleisure, Sporty) like the Seamless Foam Strappy Back, or a Sleek and Smooth (Molded) bra like the Molded Wirefree, she’ll love the choices from Hanes.

Want to win your daughter her own girls bra wardrobe? Enter our giveaway for the chance to win!

GIVEAWAY

$50 Target Gift Card and a girls bra wardrobe

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to everyone who entered!

WINNER: B. Mellison