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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.
Still have questions? Check out our Fitting Room for all sorts of information or give us a call. We're here to help.
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