How to Read a Bra Label

Bra labels list fabric content as percentages by weight. Common fibers include nylon (also called polyamide), elastane (also called spandex or Lycra), polyester, cotton, silk, and modal. The main body fabric is listed first. A typical bra might read 75% nylon, 25% elastane for the cups, with a separate listing for the lining and any trim or lace.

Elastane percentage affects stretch and recovery — higher elastane means more stretch and a snugger fit. Nylon and polyester are durable and moisture resistant. Cotton is breathable but less supportive when wet. Modal is soft and breathable, good for sensitive skin. Silk is luxurious but requires careful handling.

The wash tub symbol indicates washing method — a number inside is the maximum temperature in Celsius. A hand in the tub means hand wash only. An X through any symbol means do not do that action. The triangle is for bleaching — crossed out means no bleach. The square with a circle is the dryer — most bras show this crossed out. The iron symbol shows ironing temperature (one dot = low, three dots = high). The circle is for dry cleaning.

For most bras, the key rules are: wash at 30C or below, no tumble drying, no ironing directly on the fabric, and no bleach. Hand wash or delicate machine cycle in a mesh bag.

Country of origin on a bra label indicates where it was manufactured, not necessarily where the brand is based. Most mass-market bras are manufactured in China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, or Vietnam. Luxury and specialty bras are often made in France, Italy, UK, or Portugal.

Country of origin can be a guide to construction quality and ethical production, but brand reputation and independent certifications are more reliable indicators. Some premium brands manufacture in Europe specifically for quality control and to meet EU labor and environmental standards.