Common Bra Fitting Problems

Posted by Monique | Feb 23

You might think that once you hit your 20’s and know your bra size, you know it for life. You’d be wrong.

Most women will have an ill-fitting bra at some point in their lives. We’ve all been there with an unexpected weight gain or loss, or the joys (and body changes) of pregnancy and nursing. You might have bought the right bra only 6 months to a year ago, and find you have the wrong bra now.

So how do you keep from being one of the 80 per cent or so who wear the wrong-sized bra? Pay attention to the fit of your items! The fit alone can give you important clues to your correct size.

Here are the most common fit problems and how to fix them for your next purchase.

Bra band rides up in back

Based on an informal survey in my local mall, this problem is number one. If this is happening to you, the band is either too loose or the cups are too small, or both. The solution is going up a cup size or down a band size. In many cases, it could be a combination of both. Keep in mind that women with larger busts need wider, closer-fitting bands to support the weight of the breasts.

Straps won’t stay on shoulders for more than a short time

Your straps are either too loose or set too far apart for more narrow or sloping shoulders. In all likelihood, you can fix this by adjusting the straps. However, keep in mind that if you then end up with your bra band riding up in the back, you’ll have to consider going up a cup size or down a band size to fix the real problem!

If your straps are an ongoing adjustment issue, consider stitching the straps to stay in place. Another trick for future purchases can be to choose styles that place the straps closer together in the back, such as racerback bras.

Straps dig into shoulders

If this happens, your straps are doing too much of the work! The same fix applies here as applies to our number one problem: you likely have a loose band or need a larger cup. Consider styles that have both a wider band on the body as well as padded straps (if you can’t seem to get less pressure on the straps while also having a comfortable band).

You are spilling out of the cup of your bra

This one is pretty simple. If you look like you have 4 breasts instead of 2, it’s time to go up a cup size.

Your cups have “dimples”

If your cups dimple, it’s time to go down a cup size. Remember that going up and down are common over the course of your lifetime, especially with weight gain and loss.

You’ve got “back fat”

If you have the dreaded back fat, you probably think your bra is too tight. You’re wrong – your bra is actually too big! You need to go down a band size (or more) until you can wear your bra lower on your back and have the band stay level. This will generally eliminate or reduce any appearance of back fat.

Your straps are falling down

If your strap falls down but the bra otherwise appears to fit, that means your bra band is riding up in the back. You should go down a band size.

6 COMMENTS

Lee B. said on Mar 23

What’s the solution (besides weight loss) for the “water wings” effect — you know, boobs that form on your sides instead of in front? I have yet to find a bra with enough coverage at the sides to combat this problem, and the bras with boning in the sides are pure torture. Please help, oh sage one!

Monique said on Mar 23

Ah, the challenges of a good fit when one is a wonderfully Rubinesque woman…

In most cases of “spillage”, the need is a bigger cup size and smaller band size. In bigger cup sizes, the breast is contained more in front. However, when women cannot find the correct cup size, they often go up a band size. This results in a bra that “fits” – but fits poorly. A bigger band size means the cup is also wider – which can be what allows the breast to be free to spill to the side.

If you are having a real challenge, you may need to consider a company that does a custom fit. While on the expensive side, it can be really worth it – especially if the size you need is off the retail bell curve. One of the most interesting companies that does this is called Snares of Venus. I did a posting on these folks that details the process. This company may be able to design a full coverage cup that is cut higher at the sides – but fits properly throughout.

Susan W. said on Apr 1

My problem is that a “C” cup has too much room at the top, but a “B” cup is entirely too small. Plus my band size is a 44. I tend to wear a lot of the types with thin cups (they tend to “mold” more to my breasts)and underwire to provide lift.

khoantsi said on May 26

My problem are the straps. the 44 cups are fine but the straps are too long. after adjusting them then there is what we call ‘torture’ on the shoulders!

Debbie Shrake said on Apr 17

My problem in trying to buy a bra for my mom is a little funny, she is now a very tiny woman size 2, her under the bust measures 28, but she has no boobs to speak of she has flash that hangs for when she use to wear a 38F. When I put a bra on her, the flesh boobs fall out from the bottom, or if I try a smaller bra it always comes with a smaller cup and she just has to wrap the flash up in a bra that she is falling out of. I am at a loss of what to try and get her.

Patti said on Feb 13

I’m surprised you had nothing to say about the right bra for breasts that flatten and sag with age, as this is obviously a very common problem. I’m not in my eighties so your “senior” selections don’t cut it for me – I want something fashionable that actually supports what I have left, in a flattering way. Senior bras with too much coverage that make the breasts disappear are NOT the answer to this problem.