If only bra straps were as sturdy as backpack straps!
The Case of the Slipping Bra Strap
Here’s something you don’t need to know, but I’ll tell you anyway.
My right bra strap keeps falling. No
matter what bra I’m wearing, the right strap slips down, so I have to dig into my shirt and pull it back onto my shoulder.
Maybe you don’t care. But what about the folks who take my exercise classes on Zoom—do they care? Do they want to tell me privately that a new bra might be in order? Or are they secretly running a GoFundMe so I get a dozen at Christmas?
When the constant slippage problem first began, I’d brightly say, “Wardrobe adjust,” as I dipped my hand into my shirt to yank the strap up. Nowadays I don’t utter a word. I do the deed and wonder if anyone is counting how many times it’s fallen and how many times I’ve dug in there to pull it back up. On Saturday it was seven times—in a thirty-minute class.
After class, feeling utterly defeated, I went to the bathroom, partially closed the door (claustrophobes will never shut a door completely), took off my shirt, and stared at my shoulders.
I inhaled and exhaled. I turned myself about, hoping to see a reason for the constant slippage. I almost hoped my right shoulder would be closer to my waist so it would make sense. But no matter how I moved, both shoulders looked equal.
It’s a mystery worthy of my childhood hero, Nancy Drew. “The Case of the Slipping Bra Strap.” I decide to channel Ms. Drew, so I take all my bras out and lay them on my desk. Six! I inspect each one.
Two have straps that can’t be adjusted. Four are adjustable. No clue there, as they all slip. I’ve adjusted the adjustable ones to the tightest setting. Slip, slip, slip. What would Nancy Drew do?
I get out an old-fashioned wooden ruler, measure the straps on all six, and record the numbers. Only a quarter-inch difference between the non-adjustable and the adjustable. WWNDD? I’m utterly perplexed, but still persistent.
I Google: What should you do if one bra strap slips down?
Four main headings pop up!
Immediate Fixes include: Tighten the strap. (Done.) Check if it is fully adjustable. (Done.) Use a strap accessory.
Now we’re talking! I’ve never even heard of this, so I quickly do another Google search.
I will not share what popped up, only that it led me to refine my search and specify bra strap accessory.
An ad describes its product as “bra strap holders for slipping, racerback converters, stay-put strap holder, bra strap clips for the back.” For $4.89, I put it in my cart. But what will I do till the item arrives in the mail?
The next suggestion is under Simple Fixes: “Use body adhesive.” No, just no. Flashback to the late ’70s: I once tried fake nails before going out to dance. The nails looked great and were easy to apply with the included adhesive. But while dancing with my friend, one of my nails got embedded in her hair. She had an epic meltdown, and it ruined the evening.
The next heading was Fit and Body Causes to Check. This was a no-brainer. Before I started channeling Ms. Drew, I had done all three. Check your band size, consider your shoulder shape, look for center-pull or kicked-in straps. I’ve learned to be a cautious bra buyer because of this slippage issue and to pick ones with wide straps that look set closer together—but not so close that they touch my neck.
Last are DIY or Replacement Options. I’ve already replaced all my older bras, but I like the second suggestion under this heading: to hand-stitch or machine-sew the back strap attachment point a little closer to the band to narrow the angle. Dane does all the sewing around here, so I make a mental note to ask him to add a few stitches to each of my bras.
But when he comes over, I instead invite him into the bathroom and ask him to stand behind me. Then I ask him to look at my shoulders and tell me if he sees anything weird. He can’t help but smirk, but then he says, “Your right shoulder looks a bit lower.”
I sigh. Who needs Nancy Drew when you have a husband with better eyesight than your own?
I give him a quick hug as I explain the horrors of my everyday slippage. We’re about to take the dogs for a walk, so I decide to ask him about the nip-and-tuck project afterward. Meanwhile, at least I’ve ordered the strap adjusters.
Case closed. Mystery solved.