Bra Fitting Guide

Most of us are wearing band sizes that are too big and cup sizes that are too small. 

If your band is too big you will not get the support you need, resulting in a plethora of issues, from sore shoulders to a bad back.

Your band should be horizontal around your body, parallel with the floor, and should feel snug but comfortable. 

• Snug but comfortable

• Should not be able to pull more that 2 inches away from your back

If you can easily pull the band away from your body, or if your band is riding up at the back, it is too big. Try going down 1-2 sizes in your band, and for every band size you go down, make sure you go up one cup size. 

If you have an issue with both the band and the cups, keep reading for advice on how your cup should fit.

We have a range of bras in stock, from a 28 to a 48 band. 

The centre front is the area of material between the cups in the middle of your bra, where the underwires meet. The centre gore should sit flat against your chest, and your boobs separated by the wires. 

If the centre front is not flat, or is being pushed away from your chest by your boobs, your bra does not fit correctly. 

• The centre front should be flat against your chest

• Your boobs should be separated and not pushed together

If your boobs are separated, but the wire is not flat, your band size is likely too big. Try going down a band size and up a cup size until it fits. 

If your boobs are not separated and are pushing the centre front away from your chest, the cups are too small. Try going up a few cup sizes (yes a few).

For some of us, the centre front won't sit completely flat due to our anatomy, or if you find that your centre front "jabs" you in the chest, opt for a plunge style, as the centre front is lower, giving that lovely "V" plunge shape. 

The underwire in your bra is designed to lift, support and shape your bust.

Underwires are not designed to cause you pain! Bras are a fitted product, they are made to fit us, not the other way about. 

The wire should fully encapsulate your bust, sitting flat against your body (ribs) and not against your breast tissue.

• If your wire is poking you on the outside of your boob, the cup is too small

• If your wire is poking the inside of your arm, your band may be too big

If the wire in the middle of the bra is jabbing you in the chest, try a low gore style, like a plunge bra.

Underwires can be the bane of our existence, and they really have had a bad rep. The truth is, most of us are wearing too big a band, and too small a cup. If you were to pop a size 4 shoe on your size 7 feet, you're going to run into some trouble, the same goes for bras.

Your cups should fully encapsulate your bust, with spillage, and no bagging. 

I'm sure we've all had the infamous double boob at some point in time, or a bit of a baggy bra (change purse anyone?). Your cup should seamlessly fit around your bust, encapsulating your breast tissue and leaving you with a smooth finish.

• If you are spilling out of your cups, they are too small

• If you are not filling up your cups and your bra is "baggy" the cup is too big

• If your bust is pushing the wires away from your chest, the cup is too small

• If your wire is poking you in the side of your boob, the cup is too small

If you are wearing a padded/ moulded style T-shirt bra, please note that these styles unfortunately don't suit everybody. You are trying to fill something hard with something soft, and if you don't have enough tissue, or you are lacking volume, this can be hard to do.

If this sounds like you, try a different style of bra, one with a stretch lace top cup that is more flexible and will mould to your shape, not the other way around.

Your straps are designed to offer a small amount of support and help shape your bust.

Your straps should be firm but comfortable. If you can easily fit two fingers under your straps and easily pull away from your body, they are too loose.

Most strap related issues stem from the underband. Your underband should be doing 80% of the work when it comes to support, if your band is too big, you may find your shoulders hurt, due the straps doing most of the heavy lifting (pun intended).

• If your straps dig, causing sore intents, your band is too big

• If you have aches due to the straps bearing the weight of your bust, the band is too big

• If the straps slip, even when tightened, the band is likely too big or your bra is too old and worn

If you have narrow shoulders, and suffer from slippage on a well fitting bra, try a bra with a J-Hook or use a racerback convertor to bring the straps in.

Avoid wide styles, such as a balcony bra, where the straps will naturally be wider due to the overall shape and style of the bra.