Common Bra Fitting Complaints & Solutions
your guide to finding an answer to those pesky bra problems
Underwires poke under the arm or are uncomfy.
Your cup size (and underwire) is too small and forces the wire to sit too far forward on the body. Go up a cup size (from a C to a D, for example). The style of the bra could also cause this problem if it doesn't have wide enough cup support, if it is a minimizer, or if it places the cups too close together. If this is the case, find a bra that has fuller cup support or side support panels.
"Quad boob" effect or "double boobs" - where breast tissue bulges out the top of the bra.
Guaranteed, your cup size is too small &/or designed too low for the size of your breasts. You need to go up a cup size (from a C to a D, for example), find a full coverage bra or choose a style that is cut for fuller cups.
Straps dig in to the shoulders or leave marks and/or indentations.
First, loosen your straps. If your breasts don't feel like they're getting the support you need or they're not shaped or placed where you want them, you need a smaller band. Go down a band size (from a 38C to a 36D*, for example), or if you're a large breasted woman (over a D cup), find a full support bra or one that is designed with you in mind (think wide or padded straps).
Bra rides up in the back.
Your band is probably too large for your body. Go down a band size (from a 38C to a 36D*, for example). If it fit before but isn't fitting as well lately, its probably lost some of its elasticity. Don't ever put your bra in the dryer, and try to handwash your bra or place it in a mesh bag before sticking it in the machine. If that doesn't work, try a racer back bra, a convertible strap bra or one that has a longer design.
Bra won't lie flat in the middle along the rib cage.
This could be as simple as you've got the wrong style for your breasts, but if its a problem across the board (among various styles and brands), you might need to go up a cup size or find a bra that has deeper cups or a deeper center panel. Make sure you're not wearing a minimizer as they tend to compress breast tissue, increase cleavage and force the bra away from your chest. If you're wearing a soft cup bra and you're large breasted, the design might not allow the center panel to touch your sternum.
There are gaps or wrinkles in the cups.
Your cup size is probably too large. Go down a cup size (from a C to a B, for example) or tighten your straps.
Straps won't stay up on the shoulders.
Try tightening the straps, or going down a cup size. If your breasts aren't filling out the top of the cup, this could cause your straps to fall off. If your band is too large or you are using an extender, your straps might lie too close to the edge of your shoulders. Try going down in band size (from a 40D to a 38DD*, for example) or find a style whose straps are closer to your spine (like a racerback, convertible strap or narrow strap design).
Difficulties with hooking the bra.
If there are physical limitations, health conditions or other reasons that make hooking your bra in the back difficult, try using a front hook bra, convertible strap bra, sports bra or other non-hooking bras.
Breasts sag or hang.
Ensure you are wearing the correct size! Follow our bra fitting guidelines and find your starting point. If your breasts are sagging, your bra isn't supportive enough. If you have large breasts, you need a full support bra. Otherwise, find a bra that is the right size and make sure you're caring for it properly. Once a bra loses its elasticity, its not going to give you enough support.
Breasts fall out the bottom of the bra.
Try a smaller size band and a bigger cup (from a 38C to a 36D or 36DD*, for example). You can also get redness or rashes underneath the breast from this problem. When the breast tissue is coming out the bottom of the cup and resting on your chest, irritation will occur. Choose a bra that has a band all the way around, including underneath the cups. This extra support will lift your breasts off your ribcage.
Breasts are different sizes.
Don't worry, this is very normal. If its a minor difference, try using a molded cup bra or tighten the straps on the smaller sized breast (usually on the same side you write). If its a large difference, you can purchase a bra with fiberfill, light padding, stretch fabric or a molded cup bra. Also, purchasing one with removable padding can help so that you can remove the pads from the larger size and even it up a bit.
Pain in the shoulders and back.
If you are large breasted, its important to find a bra that fits you correctly. You have many more choices today as bra manufacturers are beginning to cater to full figured or large breasted women. Find a bra that is supportive - a wide band that fits snugly and transfers much of the weight of your breasts, straps that are padded or wide, and extra hooks in the back. Finding a bra that fits and is comfortable, doesn't mean giving up beauty. We have a great selection. Look around.
One cup fits perfectly, one cup doesn't.
If its because your breasts are different sizes, relax. Its normal. Try tightening the straps on the side with the smaller breast. If that doesn't work, use a molded cup bra or one with stretchy fabric in the cup. If its the bra itself, toss it out and find another one that fits better.
Underwires poke through fabric.
Your band size is probably too large. If there is significant movement in the band around the body, the friction and stress on the fabric will cause a weak spot allowing the underwire to poke through. Go down a band size (from a 38C to a 36D*, for example). And, most importantly, never put your bra in the dryer as it weakens the fabric significantly.
Underwire is uncomfortable and pokes in the armpit.
If you are petite, you need a shorter style bra to match your shorter length torso. If you're not petite, try a different style bra like a demi cup with sides that are cut lower so you don't have the underwire riding high on your side.
*Please Note: Cup sizes are not equal among band sizes, a 36C and a 40C do not have the same cup volume. Each size has unique underwires to adjust for the proportionate increase in cup volume and band size. A 36D and a 38C might have the same underwire or cup volume, for example. Because of this, when you change your band size up or down, also adjust your cup size accordingly. If you need to go up a band size and the cup fits perfectly, try one size bigger band and one size smaller cup - like a 36C to a 38B. If you need to go down in band size, try going down one in band and one up in cup - like from a 40D to a 38DD. |
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