A few holidays ago, I tried out something new and it worked so well, I have since placed this essential item in my travel list of “must bring” clothes.
Its the sports bra.
Any brand of sports bra will do so long as its comfortable. I’m not endorsing any particular brand 🙂 Here are 3 reasons why I endorse sports bras as my essential travel underwear.
1. Sports bras are sturdy, offer support and are absorbent and breathable
A sports bra as anyone who plays sports or exercises at the gym will know, offers good support for your breast and is usually very comfortable. Most sports bras are sturdy and because they are made for exercise, are absorbent and are made of breathable fabric – perfect if you plan to be out and about walking in hot climates and sweating while at it. Also when I travel, I walk A LOT so wearing a sports bra that offers support is useful.
I like wearing T-shirts when I travel so I prefer to wear a sports bra that is like a cut off tank top. I find it easier for arm movements and it doesn’t get too embarrassing if the bra straps show when you are wearing tank tops. It can get a bit strange if you are wearing spagetti tops or tube tops over your bra though so do pack alternative underwear or find a sports bra with thin straps!
2. Sports bras can be easily packed
The other nice thing about packing sports bras is that you don’t have to be overly careful about packing them as you would an underwired bra or a padded bra. In the latter cases, squeezing them into a tight corner of your bag can spell disaster for your bra.
3. Sports bras can be washed and dry quickly
I’ve found that its easier to launder a sports bra in your hotel bathroom and it dries faster too compared to normal bras. This way you can be assured of fresh underwear daily and you don’t have to bring a whole bagful of them.
All that said, I use sports bras most when I’m out and about exploring a new city. Its perfect for that. But I do pack a normal bra for nights out or if I’m going out specially for dinner. A sports bra, whilst supportive of “the girls” doesn’t seem to offer that lovely line that a normal wired and padded bra does.
Do you pack sports bras when you travel? Am I the only one who has just discovered this trick or am I just late to the party?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Tine says
October 6, 2009 at 9:44 amI had no idea! I’ve actually never taken sports bras with me when traveling. Now that you’ve put it that way, it makes a whole lot of sense to pack one. I shall do so when I travel in Dec 😉
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 10:13 amHiya Tine
It works especially well in hot countries – try it and let me know if you find it convenient. I’m always tramping around Bangkok in these 🙂
Jenn says
October 6, 2009 at 10:18 amSame here… i always pack my comfy dri-fit sports bras with me whenever i travel… especially to super hot Bangkok! Combing the Chatuchak market with these babies makes the heat so much more tolerable “there”! hahaha!! 😀
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 10:31 amHiya Jenn
You’re right about super hot Bangkok! Glad I found a kindred spirit! 😀
prettybeautiful says
October 6, 2009 at 9:50 ami pack sports bra in my bag too! 😀 and sometimes even bikini (with padding of course) will work as good, of course it wont offer support like sports bra, but it is so easy to fold, and need not worry about destroying the shape or the underwire of the bra, and it is VERY fast to dry!
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 10:14 amHiya prettybeautiful
Yay! I don’t do the bikini thing but I might next time if I know I’m going to be going somewhere wet 😀
germaine says
October 6, 2009 at 10:09 amits so true tat sports bra are comfortable. it feels more free to move around in them. you should also try pairing them with the sport pants.they are as comfy as the sport bras and it makes you look more slender as well. and if you sweat they dry off very fast too
🙂
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 10:15 amHi Germaine
Thanks for the tips. I don’t have sports pants and I do prefer dressing up a little when I travel to cities. I will bear it in mind if I’m going somewhere outdoorsy though.
beetrice says
October 6, 2009 at 10:25 amhmmm…tramping around BKK in a sports bra – I’ll have to test that out when I’m there in Dec! 😀 (and no, you’re not late to the pack…I also sotong…)
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 10:31 amHey Beetrice
Definitely give it a shot. I find its soooo much more comfortable than the conventional bra especially if you’re dripping with sweat from walkinga around!
aiyu says
October 6, 2009 at 10:30 amWow. This is a great idea !!
I know you said you are not endorsing brands, but where do you get them? From sports brands like Nike/Adidas or underwear brands like Triumph/La Senza? Do share more pls 🙂
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 10:34 amHi Aiyu
I have a small collection I’ve picked up from wherever is on sale LOL… I just make sure to get those that can wick away sweat or which say they “breathe” or are “dri-fit” or “Dry touch”. I find some lingerie brands have better lines while sports brands tend to be a little bulky. At the end of the day, go for what you can afford and what feels comfortable. That’s most important 🙂
Jasmine says
October 6, 2009 at 11:10 amI’ve always felt that sports bras flatten “the girls” (LOL!) too much, and don’t provide enough lift. Yes, they’re meant to minimise the hypnotic swaying when we exercise, but I find that I can’t wait to get it off my chest! LOL! I prefer underwire without padding for travels — I can scrimp on valuable luggage space and fix it with padding inserts once I’m in the hotel room. Then again, since it’s been some time since I wore sports bras (secondary school) maybe it’s worth checking out! Thanks Paris 🙂
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 11:13 amHi Jasmine
I know those you mean – Don’t get the ones that flatten. They have those that have soft “cups” these days and those hold “the girls” better. Perhaps because I’m less endowed in the chest area I find this works for me. For those who are better endowed, you might want to get something with more support 🙂
Nikki says
October 6, 2009 at 11:34 amPB, I never thought to pack a sport bra during travel, I just use them for gym 🙂 but this is a great idea though..because I don’t have to worry about my bra getting ruined inside the luggage lol
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:17 pmHey Nikki
Precisely! Its awesome when you have overshopped on your trip and need the extra space LOL… 😀
Affy says
October 6, 2009 at 11:49 ami always find it a bit difficult to find a sports bra that can give good support for a plummish women like me… believe it or not…. i wore an underwire bra to the gym…. 🙂
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:18 pmHi Affy
Oh dear I wasn’t aware about that. If I come across any brands that might be of help I’ll be sure to spread the word 🙂
Jyoan says
October 6, 2009 at 12:02 pmI always plan my days very well before going. So I can count exactly how many pieces of what I would need. And yes, if I do plan to walk a lot, I will pack the sports bra and matching tank tops or T-shirts, instead of spaghetti.
Jyoan says
October 6, 2009 at 12:03 pmyup, and also cos I hate it when my bra straps drops down. Imagine shopping halfway, and already carrying lots of things, then still have to keep pulling it up… …
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:19 pmLOL… You said it!
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:18 pmHi Jyoan
Yup I plan ahead too but I always try to minimize luggage space so I can pack my bags with shopping! 😀
Kaoru says
October 6, 2009 at 1:02 pmI like my sportsbras, but since the only ones that seem to do anything for me are underwired (I have tried a lot. If it’s not underwired, and is working, I’m suffocating, hehe), the shoving into corners thing doesn’t really work. Still, it has been a couple years since I went “hunting,” so technology might have changed a little.
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:21 pmHi Kaoru
But at least you can still fold them flat 🙂 I’ve actually come across quite a few brands that purport to offer support yet have no wire. Most sports brands should have them.
Synaesthesia says
October 6, 2009 at 3:08 pmAfter reading your recommendation, I found sports bra really a great thing to bring during traveling… Definitely will get them !
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:22 pmHi Synaesthesia
Do let me know after you’ve tried it if it works for you! I’m in the market for some nice and decent sports bras myself.
kuri says
October 6, 2009 at 3:12 pmgood idea. I’ve been wearing them lately on weekends because they’re comfortable; didn’t think of bringing them on trips!
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:23 pmHi Kuri
Try it next time and let us know how it goes 🙂
Jamilla Camel says
October 6, 2009 at 3:26 pmWhen I’m going to places like India, I pack cotton bras. In an emergency, they will stand up to hotel laundry too, although I tend to bring enough underwear to last my whole trip, because I quite particular about that!
ParisB says
October 6, 2009 at 4:23 pmHi Jamilla
Ditto! I prefer to bring enough of everything but if I can pack less, thats even better! Good idea about the cotton bras 🙂
Jean says
October 6, 2009 at 5:37 pmI don’t have experience on wearing sport bras but really feel like trying it after reading this!
Jenn Wan says
October 7, 2009 at 8:24 amOhhh… you gave me another reason to shop, Paris! Good idea! I detest packing my padded bras into my luggage. Do you know if they are comfortable enough to sleep in as well? I know some girls sleep w/o bras but I do. I sleep with cotton bras, so, imagine having to pack both types when travelling… sheesh..
ParisB says
October 7, 2009 at 9:39 amHi Jenn
LOL… I don’t sleep in my sports bras so I can’t gauge the comfort level. Personally I’d think they are not all comfy for sleeping in as it can feel constricting.