From 30 you are entitled to a clinical breast exam once a year, from 50 to 75 to mammography screening every two years. What you are entitled to and when, what self-checks can do, and how to plan early detection across the whole year.

The most important types of bras differ primarily in the cut of the cups: triangle, plunge, balconette, bandeau, bralette, bustier, and molded bra. Whether a bra has an underwire is independent of this; almost every style also works without an underwire.

Cup size describes the ratio between bust and underbust, not the absolute size of your breasts. What the letter means, how to calculate it and what 75B or 85C stand for.

What is lace, how is it made and what does it consist of? Definition, types, materials and care: the honest overview of the delicate fabric.

What is mesh? A fine, net-like knit, usually polyamide and elastane. We explain what mesh is made of, how it feels, how to care for it and when it is the right choice.

A German bra size like 75B is a 34B in the US and UK. The reason: the band is measured in centimetres in Germany and the EU, but in inches in the US and UK. The cup letters only start to diverge from the E-cup upwards. This guide walks you through converting your bra size step by step, with a table and concrete examples.

In this guide we sort the key materials by use case, so you know which fabric fits when.

Elastane, spandex and lycra are three names for the same synthetic fibre. This fibre gives almost every close-fitting garment its stretch and shape, but is rarely alone in the fabric: a few per cent is enough. We explain what elastane does, where its weaknesses lie, and which alternative we already use at erlich textil.

Linen is a natural fibre from the flax plant: robust. We explain how linen is made, its properties, benefits and drawbacks, and how to care for it correctly.

Modal drapes silky-smooth, cotton is familiar. We compare both fibres in feel, sturdiness and care, and show when each suits you best.

kbA cotton (German: kontrolliert biologischer Anbau) is cotton grown to the EU organic standards (Regulation (EU) 2018/848): no synthetic pesticides, no artificial fertilisers, no GMOs. The main material in our cotton textiles is kbA or Cotton in Conversion (CiC). In the guide: definition, farming, CiC, comparison with modal and lyocell, care, and use in women's and men's ranges.

Lyocell is a cellulose fibre made from wood, typically eucalyptus or beech. We use TENCEL™ Lyocell from Lenzing, produced in a closed-loop process with over 99 per cent solvent recovery. In the guide: production, properties, comparison with modal and cotton, care, and how we use lyocell for women and men.