“If the band is too loose, it means the straps are doing too much work. I often say to people, ‘Do you get marks on your shoulder when you take your bra off at night? Well, that’s because your band isn’t tight enough, and so the straps are giving you the support instead,’ which is a mistake.”
Check for bulges
Now, do a 360 degree check; lift up your arms; and move around. Trying a fitted T-shirt over the bra is also a good move. “If you can see lines or bulging skin, you know it’s not the right size,” notes Emilie Moraes, resident expert at Harvey Nichols.
Check the center
The bridge, sometimes called the gore, is the centerpiece of the bra where the two cups join. “In an ideal world, you want that to sit as close to the sternum as possible,” says Kelly Dunmore, chief lingerie stylist at Rigby & Peller. If it isn’t holding in place, try going down one band size or up a cup size. Alternatively, try a plunge bra, which usually has a narrower center front.
Assess the overall fit
If you look at yourself sideways in a mirror, your breasts should sit midway between your shoulders and elbows. A too-high or too-low bustline can really change the way your clothes fit, so you definitely want to make sure the positioning is correct.
Also, note your general comfort level: “The strap should feel like you’re getting support and lift, and you should fill up the cup, but there should not be digging in or a double-boob kind of thing–that means the cup is too small,” says Zuccarini.
How to fix common bra fit issues
How to stop bra straps from falling down
Most bra straps are made from stretchy or slippery material and thus should be adjusted and re-checked every three to four times you wear your bra, as well as after washing. And, in case you were wondering, hand washing and air drying on a flat surface is the best preserve your bra’s elasticity.
That said, if you find yourself continually adjusting your straps to lift your bust, revisit your band size. If your straps consistently slide off your shoulders, it might be because your shoulders slope downwards. In this case, move towards a racerback style.
How to stop the bra band from riding up in the back
If the band is riding up on a new bra, try loosening the straps, or changing to a tighter hook. If that doesn’t work, you will need to go up a band size. Bear in mind that when you increase band size, you might need to go down a cup size (so if your 34C bra is riding up, try a 36B).
How to know if your bra is too tight
If your bra is leaving marks on your skin, don’t stress—it doesn’t necessarily mean your bra is too small. However, if you’re uncomfortable or experiencing pain, pinching, or chaffing, consider re-checking your band size or increasing the width of the band at the back by using the first hook.
Why are my boobs spilling over my cups?
Spillage usually happens if you’ve reduced your back size, or if your boobs aren’t oriented the way your bra wants them to be.
