Is Your Daughter Ready for a Girls Sports Bra?
If your daughter has shown interest in doing sports or wants to discover the power of dance, you know it’s time to get the right attire. While this is usually a straightforward task, if the girl is at an age when she’s no longer a little kid but neither an adult, things can get complicated. Many mums wonder whether their daughters are old enough for a sports bra or whether they should wait a couple of years to get them one.
But, no matter what you think and how you see your little girl, a girls sports bra is a great thing to wear while doing any physical activity. Since these bras are specially designed to keep girls comfortable, they are made without wires or additional materials that would otherwise be used to support the breasts. So, don’t think of it as a bra, but more as a garment that facilitates movement and protects the upper body.
Nevertheless, even after you decide to get a girls sports bra for your daughter, choosing the first one can be a challenging experience if you aren’t sure what to look for and what size to pick.
Things to Consider When Buying a Sports Bra for Your Daughter
The Right Age
The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. Each girl develops differently. It’s perfectly healthy for a girl to start to experience budding in their chest as early as age seven. While for other girls, they may not see any growth until age 12 or later. When you notice your daughter’s once flat chest now has the small bumps called breast buds it’s time to shop for a kids sports bra.
Many girls aren’t comfortable asking their parents to buy one. So, take the embarrassment out of the equation by purchasing it for her and leaving it in her room. Then casually say something like, “I left a sports bra I bought for you on your bed. Let me know if it is the right fit for you or if you would prefer something different.”
Although girls start wearing their first bras when their breasts start to grow, this isn’t a rule set in stone. Your daughter might not even be at an age of getting her first bra, but wearing a sports bra is quite a practical thing if she is an active gymnast or dancer. When choosing the first sports bra for your girl, you should have several things in mind. Since she is so young, you should look for models that don’t contain cups or wires. Simply, her first sports bra should be comfortable, practical and to let her move around easily and without any distractions.
Besides offering comfort, wearing a sports bra can also make girls feel more confident and unashamed of their bodies. Keep in mind that nine, ten or eleven-year-old girls may feel uncomfortable changing their shirts in front of others, so having a sports bra underneath will give them more confidence in the locker room.
Style & Size
Since your daughter is still young for classic bra measurements, the best way to pick the right size is to measure the bust and band size. However, since a lot of young girls don’t have breasts yet, things may be simpler, so you might only need to measure the band size. Based on these measurements, you can easily find the right size. If this seems complex, the ideal way is to take your daughter to the store and let her try on a girls sports bra.
When it comes to the style, sports bras are designed to look like kids sports crop tops. These models will allow your daughter to perform on her dance or gymnastic class without being distracted from the top wrapping around her torso or being too loose or long. Most of these sports bras are pullovers, and rarely you’ll find models that can be clasped on the back. This is especially practical for the active girl, who shouldn’t get distracted by the possibility of the bra getting unclasped. Pullover sports bras are comfortable and won’t put any pressure on the spine.
Fabric
The sports bra should be made of a breathable material that will keep the girl cool when she starts sweating. Most of the bras are made of moisture-wicking fabric blends such as spandex, nylon and polyester. You can also find cotton, which is a good option for the less active days, although such bras aren’t quite great for doing physical activities.
Most brands have implemented ionized and UPF fabrics to control the odour and UV-ray sun protection. When choosing the sports bra look for models with mesh panels and keyhole cutouts that will ventilate the sweat and will keep your daughter cool and comfortable.