Buying her first bra is a milestone in a young girl’s life. It is a moment that symbolises her entry into puberty, the discovery of her femininity and self-affirmation. How to choose a first bra?

Buying her first bra is a milestone in a young girl’s life. It is a moment that symbolises her entry into puberty, the discovery of her femininity and self-affirmation. However, choosing a first bra is not always easy: between choosing the shape, choosing the support or even the difficulty of knowing the size, it is sometimes complicated to find your way around. At La Nouvelle, we are a team of women and as mothers, sisters, aunts and cousins, we know better than anyone that finding the first bra that is suitable for your body shape and wishes is important. This is why we offer teenage girls a wide choice of girls’ underwear that is comfortable, simple and suited to young bodies in order to gently accompany them during this very important period. But if you are a little lost before the first purchase, we try to provide as many answers to your questions as possible!

At what age should you buy your first bra?

There is no hard and fast rule. On average, girls buy their first bra between the ages of 10 and 13. However, each child develops at her own pace and the bust does not always develop at the same age. Additionally, some teens feel the need to wear a bra as soon as their bust develops, while others prefer to wait or want to adopt the no-bra trend. It is therefore essential to follow the wishes and desires of each individual. The important thing is to support the girl at this time, with kindness and patience, so that her first purchase and entry into femininity is a positive experience.

When to start wearing bras

Here too, there is no rule! Every girl can do as she likes. The right time to start wearing a bra depends mainly on several factors: support for a growing bust, covering the nipples or feeling more comfortable or feminine. There are a host of good reasons. If the bust starts to grow or if any discomfort is experienced, especially during physical activities, then it is probably the right time to buy your first bra. But some teenage girls will not feel the need right away or choose not to wear a bra. In fact, the key to choosing teen lingerie boils down to doing what is good for you and prioritising comfort.

First bra: How to know your cup size?

One of the difficulties when deciding to buy your first bra is determining the right cup size. To know your size, you should measure your chest circumference using a tape measure, passing between the shoulder blades and around the tip of the breasts, and the circumference under the bust. At La Nouvelle, all our products are available from size 1 to size 5 in elastic fabrics that adapt to every body shape. To avoid making a mistake, you can refer to our size guide to find the best match.

Choosing your first bra

The choice of the first bra should be guided by comfort and simplicity. The designs of teen bras most suitable for young girls include:

- Comfort bras: a simple design that hugs the figure without pressing or hurting the bust. It is ideal as a first approach to bras and for sports.

- Triangle bras without underwiring: they provide light and comfortable support while creating a feminine and discreet shape under clothing.

- Tank tops: a staple for young girls who want to cover their nipples but do not yet need or want a bra.

Design for a first bra

Each design has its own advantages. For teenage girls who play sports, our Alma comfort bra can be a good option for optimal support and greater comfort during movement. Our Peppa bra is perfect as a first bra: it combines the ease of a comfort bra and the femininity of a non-wired bra while adapting to the body shape of all teenage girls. For its part, our Romy tank top is a basic from the Children's range. It is suitable for all young girls who want to wear it under clothing or as a top for a slightly shaping effect. And as always at La Nouvelle, all our designs can be worn as a total look with matching briefs or mixed and matched for a more personal style.

Think comfort

Beyond shape and style, it is essential to choose a bra that is comfortable day after day. For this, several criteria must be taken into account:

• Effective support, without pressing the bust. The bra should not squeeze the back or shoulders or mark the skin.

• Adjustable straps, which make the bra comfortable and adapt to the body shape of each teenager.

• Soft, stretchy material with Oeko-Tex certification that protects the sensitive skin of young girls.

• Age-appropriate design, feminine without being over the top. In short, a first bra should above all be an everyday ally, and not a constraint. By choosing a design that suits her tastes and needs, is comfortable to wear and follows the development of her body, each young girl will be able to experience this stage with complete confidence.