Buying a first bra can feel like a big deal - but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you're a young person starting the journey, or a parent helping out, here’s a simple guide to choosing the right first bra. And remember - there are no rules!
You can also click here to shop our First Bras straight away (and these first bras are also ideal crops for ages 8 all the way to 16+)
What To Look For (& Avoid) in Buying Your First Bra
1. Comfort is everything
At Billie Green, we believe your first bra should feel like a second skin—soft, gentle and never itchy. Look for natural, breathable fabrics (like TENCEL™ or organic cotton) that are kind to sensitive skin. Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon that can trap heat and cause irritation.
You may only be buying a bra to start with for sensitive nipples, and so you really don't need to be coated in excessive plastic and poor quality fabric, trapping heat and odour.
The benefit of nature-based fabrics is that you can air them out wear after wear instead of washing. Wear your bra to school each day, air it out at night (ideally on a hanger to let air flow through) and then gently wash on a short, cold machine cycle on weekends.
Our fabrics are even better than cotton! Cotton isn't always comfortable in double layered bras or sports bras as it can hold moisture on hot and sweaty days. So we offer cotton blends and cotton underwear. Our Lenzing Lyocell/Organic Cotton racerback bra feels cool and silky to the touch and is so comfortable.
2. No padding, no wires
Your first bra doesn’t need padding, push-up or wires. A good first bra offers light support without changing your shape.
Padding is cheaply made from foam which is 100% fossil fuel based plastic (also known as petrochemicals). Padding also doesn’t mold to your body and can feel bulky and add weight to your chest. Once the foam gets wet, it traps a lot of heat and bacteria and can cause chaffing. Instead of padding, opt for double layers.
A lot of brands don’t do double layers due to the additional costs. At Billie Green, we don’t compromise.
Wires are also not ideal for kids, teens or anyone still growing. For a wire to provide adequate support, it needs to fit just right. As teens are constantly growing, you will continuously grow out of your bra.
Other elements of a bra that provide support are:
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The thickness and stretch of a fabric
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Side panneling
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A wider underband
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Adjustable straps
We include all of these in our bras to varying degrees, depending on your needs, so there is no need for wires.
3. Avoid Nasties - Just Natural
We say no to:
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Azo dyes
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Toxic finishes
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Skin-irritating synthetics
Our fabrics have a little bit of elastane (also known as spandex) which provides the stretch. There is no nylon or polyester in our bras so we're quite different from the big brands. There are growing bodies of research from leading universities and organisations such as the Minderoo Foundation Australia detailing the harm that wearing polyester and other synthetics can have on our health via microplastics. Microplastics from these fabrics and fibres disrupt the endocrine system, amongst other things and can wreak havoc on hormones - which is not good news for developing bodies.
In addition, microplastics are released during washing and go into our waterways affecting our beautiful oceans, marine life and eco-systems.
Billie Green fabrics are OEKO-TEX® certified, ensuring they're free from harmful substances. And with every decision, we aim to lower our environmental footprint - while raising the bar for style and responsibility.
4. Make sure it fits—but allows room to grow
First bras should feel secure but never tight. Look for designs with good length in the sides and a good amount of stretch, adjustable straps or soft materials that grow with you. A good fit helps you forget you’re even wearing it.
5. Buy less, but better (and wash less too!)
When you’re just starting out you only need a few great bras in your drawer—ones you can wear all day, every day. At Billie Green, we’ve created a small, curated collection of bras designed to do just that. Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
You also don't need to wash our nature-based fabrics daily as they don't harbour odour like polyester and synthetic bras. Simply air out and wear again, on repeat.
Below are some great options from Billie Green, depending on your needs, preferences and daily activities.
This is our best-selling first bra. It’s extremely silky-soft, completely seamless and tag-free and stitch-free and so comfortable that you barely feel like you’re wearing anything. It was designed with sensory affected kids in mind but it’s perfect for anyone who likes that barely-there feel. The racerback style means straps don’t move and they hug your body nicely.
There is some length in the crop and a gentle wide waistband meaning you can grow into it.
The silky soft feel of the material is really unique thanks to it’s Lenzing™ Lyocell/Organic Cotton Blend with just 5% elastane for stretch.
It’s ideal for underschool uniforms and also provides moderate support for sports activities.
We are so proud of this bra and have received great feedback from customers.
This crop has a supersoft Lenzing™ Modal fabric with 8% elastane for additional stretch. It’s slightly heavier in the fabric than the reversible racerback and also dual layered for adequate coverage.
The adjustable straps are really cute and discreet and allows a lot of room for growth.
The thinner waistband means that this bra is for light support but you can criss cross the straps at the back to increase the support to moderate.
This is a great first bra option for under t-shirts and jumpers on cooler days or even by itself in summer. Older teens might also enjoy it for lounging at home or sleeping. An easy option when you don’t want to be without a crop but also don’t need one or feel like wearing one.
This has the same fabric as the reversible racerback bra.
This bra has been designed for sport thanks to its thicker and naturally moisture-wicking ribbed outer fabric of Lenzing™ Lyocell and inner fabric of organic cotton/lyocell. The straps can be optional raceback and the waistband is wide. Support comes from three aspects of your bra working together: Weight and stretch/support of the fabric, underband and straps.
The unique nature-based Lenzing™ fabrics means that this sports bra is also comfortable enough everyday. Most active or sports bras on the market are nylon/polyester blends and often 100% synthetic which means they don’t breathe at all. It’s like wearing a swimsuit all day.
It is not unusual for girls shopping for their first bra to opt for a contour bra. Perhaps you feel your chest is growing quickly and you’d like additional cup support. OR you prefer less fabric, coverage and the v-neck style of the contour bra under certain tops. Some girls also like the look of these bras. Unlike mainstream contour bras with bulky padding, ours has dual-layered modal to give you comfortable and soft coverage.
There are no rules when it comes to getting your first bra or crop. At Billie Green we aim to design products that keep you comfortable - as that is the most important thing.
