Bras can be a difficult part of a woman’s life. Aside from finding a bra that you actually like, getting one that fits comfortably is a whole new battle you’ll inevitably have to face.
Bras that don’t fit can be quite tricky to identify in themselves, sometimes disguising themselves as a well fitting bra until you’ve been wearing it for a little while, then the aches and pains begin!
We don’t want you to have to wear a badly fitting bra, and if you’re armed with the right tips and tricks, there’s absolutely no reason why you should need to. Here’s our quick guide to some of the most common bra fit problems you should keep an eye out for!
Rising Back Band
If you find that the back band of your bra doesn’t sit parallel with the floor, chances are you bra isn’t the right size. A rising back band suggests that the band itself is too big – either that or you’ve had your bra so long that the elasticity has gone and it’s stretched! Try a band size down to solve this problem.
Back Bulge
The exact opposite problem to a rising back band, you may find that the band sits in the right place but cuts into your back and causes it to bulge around the band. Try a band size up to prevent this from happening – but if you find that you have the correct band size already, you may want to choose a style with a wider back to ensure that you get a smooth luck under the arms and across the back.
Over-Cup Spillage
If your bust is spilling over the top of your cups – creating the dreaded four-breast effect in extreme cases – this means that your bra cups are too small. Try a cup size up to solve this problem, keeping your band size the same. If you find that spillage is still a problem, you may want to consider a different style of bra. Some breasts are naturally fuller than others and suit a full cup style more than a half cup.
Extra Cup Room
While a little extra room can be good in many cases, when it comes to your bra you want a snug fit for the cups. For a quick fix, try tightening the straps first. If this doesn’t remove the extra room, you may want to try a different type of cup. Full cup bras in particular can cause this problem, especially for women with smaller breasts. If you have a smaller bust, prevent this problem by opting for a half-cup style. Those with shallower breasts will find that balconette-style bras solve their extra cup room woes, too.
Slipping Straps
This is an easy one, If your straps are slipping off your shoulders – tighten them! You may find that slipping straps happen over time as the straps lose their elasticity, but if the problem persists even with a shiny new bra you may want to consider straps with a silicone strip to help them stay in place.
Digging-In Straps
You’d expect that straps that are too tight just require loosening, but the problem actually lies in the back band. If the band of your bra isn’t giving your breasts enough support, it puts all the weight and strain on the straps which causes them to dig in. Try a band size smaller and only adjust the straps to where they’re comfortable.
Gaping Centre Panel
The centre panel of your bra that connects the two cups should always be laying flat against your chest and not gaping at the top or the bottom. There could be one of three fit problems causing this; the band is too big, the cups are too small, or the cup style doesn’t suit your breasts. Try going down a band size, then a larger cup if this doesn’t solve the problem. If it’s neither of these issues, it’s likely down to the style of the bra. Look for differences in the centre panel such as a narrower or shorter panel to find the style that’s best for you.
Chafing
Your bra shouldn’t be causing you any kind of pain, but especially not chafing. Take a look at the way your bra is fitting, if you find that your breasts are touching or rubbing together instead of sitting neatly in each cup, choose a different style that separates them appropriately. If you’re finding that the chafing is happening below the cups, you’ll need to make sure that your breasts are lifted properly.
If you’re looking for more advice about how to fit and measure for a bra, take a look at our Bra Fitting Guide for all the right information!
