12 Common Bra Fit Problems & Solutions (Part 1)
You measured yourself, tried the size calculator, read our blog, took the plunge and ordered new bras – but they are not perfect. Is it the size? The shape? Or just the wrong design? We are here to help you figure it out. Read through Part 1 and Part 2 of our troubleshooting guide. We hope you get closer to your dream bra! You are almost there.
1. The underwire digs in at the center gore
If the bra otherwise fits well, the reason is the underwire is too hard and rigid. A softer underwire will help (anything in our FlexWire collection).
If the center gore hurts because it’s too tall for you, try a bra with a shorter center gore (here are our bras with short center gores). If the cup gaps on top, the gore pokes because the cup size is too big. Switching to a smaller cup size will make the center gore less painful.
2. The cup wrinkles at the top
If you are shallow-on-top (when you lift your breasts with your hands, most of the weight is below the nipple), you have most likely experienced a bra wrinkling at the top, near the straps.
The issue here isn’t that the cup size is too big for you. There is just too much coverage at the top. You can choose bras with less front coverage (“less bra” on top).
2. The cup wrinkles at the top
If you are shallow-on-top (when you lift your breasts with your hands, most of the weight is below the nipple), you have most likely experienced a bra wrinkling at the top, near the straps.
The issue here isn’t that the cup size is too big for you. There is just too much coverage at the top. You can choose bras with less front coverage (“less bra” on top).
3. The underwire digs into your armpit
If the bra otherwise fits well, and it pokes you in the armpit, the underwire is too tall on the sides. This tends to happen to people under 5’2, or people with shorter torsos. Switching to a bra with a wire that comes up shorter on the sides will fix the problem (check out bras with shorter underwires).
4. The underwire digs into your back
If the bra otherwise fits well, but the underwire hurts because it’s reaching all the way to your back, the underwire is too wide. Switch to a bra with a narrow underwire (check out our bras with narrow to regular underwires).
4. The underwire digs into your back
If the bra otherwise fits well, but the underwire hurts because it’s reaching all the way to your back, the underwire is too wide. Switch to a bra with a narrow underwire (check out our bras with narrow to regular underwires).
Note: points 1, 3, and 4 cover underwire discomfort. The solutions above assume you want to stick with underwire bras. If you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of lift, consider a wireless bra.
5. The cup gaps/wrinkles above the wire
This is when there is excess space between the wire and the bottom of your breasts. First, make sure you scoop and swoop. If that doesn’t fix the issue, you will need a bra that has more projection at the wire, and an underwire that is more open and flat at the bottom. Unlined bras (made only with fabric, no foam or padding) tend to be more friendly to more projected breasts. Our wide underwire bras all have underwires that are open and flat at the bottom.
6. Overflow from bottom
Bottom overflow is usually due to the band being too loose. A properly fitted band shouldn’t let any breast tissue “escape.” If the bra otherwise fits well, choose a smaller band and larger cup (e.g. 36D to 34DD).
6. Overflow from bottom
Bottom overflow is usually due to the band being too loose. A properly fitted band shouldn’t let any breast tissue “escape.” If the bra otherwise fits well, choose a smaller band and larger cup (e.g. 36D to 34DD).
Jump to: Part 2
