What’s the first thing you do after a long day? If you said, “Take off my bra,” you’re not alone. Little compares to that feeling of relief when you finally unhook those clasps and slip that bra off. It shouldn’t be like that though. Your bra should not be so uncomfortable that you can’t wait to take it off.
This is why testing bras for sizing and durability is so important – and the bra industry really falls short on this. Manufacturers don’t do enough thorough wear testing to ensure that bras are comfortable and functional for multiple sizes and body types.
Evelyn & Bobbie is challenging this archaic practice and revolutionizing the bra as we know it. But first, let’s see why industry wear tests don’t cut it.
What Is Wear Testing in Fashion?
Wear testing is a vital aspect of the apparel development process. It involves various tests to assess elements of the garment such as functionality, durability, fabric quality, fit, construction, and wear. It’s intended to identify potential weak points or flaws in the product that need to be improved before it goes to production.
For some garments, this process works quite well. For bras, the industry oversimplifies the process. This is because most bra companies overlook one major point:
There are many, many different body shapes and sizes—and that affects fit, wear, and comfort.
Why Current Industry Wear Tests Aren’t Enough
The current industry bra testing standards simply aren’t good enough for bras. The majority of bra brands only test their product on one or two models. They then take that “prototype” and create a base size or model. Then they grade this bra up or down to create the various sizes. This process has several issues. First, most bra companies use proportional formulas to create those larger and smaller sizes. Essentially, they assume that the difference between all sizes can be accounted for in a single mathematical formula.
Additionally, they often fail to test the practicality of their product by running it through standard day-to-day scenarios. Whether it’s wearing the bra for multiple days in a row or throwing it in the wash, many manufacturers simply ignore the overall strength of the bra.
Bottom line, apparel wear testing, for the most part, is seriously flawed. It doesn’t account for different fit preferences or different body types. If you don’t fit in the tidy little mold they created, you’re out of luck.
However, we’ve found a better way.
Wear Tested for Inclusivity
At Evelyn & Bobbie, we are changing the way that bras are wear tested. We recognize and celebrate that bodies are different, comfort levels are different, and wear preferences are different. We don’t all fit into the same box—and neither should your bra.
Several Tests for Every Size
Formulas don’t dominate our testing process, human bodies do. So, we look at how the bra fits and moves with the wearer, identifying the points that may need to be modified in order to achieve maximum comfort and wearability. Additionally, we do bra size testing on all Evelyn & Bobbie bras dozens of times to make sure that it meets high standards. In fact, the factory sends prototype samples and we go through upwards of 10 rounds of fittings to perfect the style.
Multiple Data Points
During this extensive product wear testing, we measure 13 points on each model. The result is more data points (more than 364) for us to reference when making revisions. This includes shoulder straps, cups, the back strap, and all the points between.
Then we get it right.
Fabric wear testing is also part of our process and we ask our models to not only wear their bra for two weeks, but wash and dry it several times as well. We believe the only way to get real-life feedback is through real-life wear.
Meticulous Revisions
At the end of the two-week testing phase, Evelyn & Bobbie collects feedback from our models to determine what adjustments need to be made to the design. We make changes to every individual size because we know that the needs of someone wearing XS are different than those wearing XL or 3XL.
And that is what makes us different.
Real people with real bodies wear our bras for two weeks as they live their lives. Professionals, moms, athletes, etc. …. the vast majority of our “fit models” are real EB customers.By the time a garment goes into production, we have seen it on hundreds of bodies and perfected the fit to make it as democratic as possible—not just for a variety of sizes, but also a variety of body shapes. Most other apparel companies only see styles on one body before production.
Sizes Should Come from Real Bodies, Not Formulas
All bodies are not the same, so a bra test should use all body types and needs. Don’t settle for less. You deserve better. You deserve to feel as beautiful as you look. You deserve the fit and comfort of an Evelyn & Bobbie bra.
And that is what makes us different.
Discover the difference our testing makes by picking up your very own Evelyn & Bobbie bra.
It’s time to fall in love with your bra.
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