Bra problem: 5 signs your cups don’t fit properly

The breasts are pressed against each other

Are your breasts pressed against each other? Providing you’re not wearing a low-cut push-up bra, your breasts should not be pressed together. On a well-fitting underwired bra, the underwires should separate the breasts for optimal support. In other words, the underwire should rest against the sternum and provide each breast with individual support. The breasts should not be in contact with one another. If your breasts are pushing the underwire away from your body, the cup size you’re wearing is too small. You need to go up 1 cup size, probably more.

The breasts are ‘visible’ at the armpit

If the breast tissue is pressing against your armpit, you’re wearing a cup size that is too small. The cup should contain the entire width of the breast. However, the placement and shape of the breasts can also play a role here. If you have a wide breast base or widely spaced breasts, your breast tissue may naturally be near the armpits. If you’re overweight, the breast tissue can also merge with the rest of the body and create an uncomfortable roll at the armpits. In that case we suggest a bra model with an extra side wing at the armpit; it can even out the roll and reduce your discomfort. Whichever you choose, try going up a cup size.

“It’s not uncommon for there to be a 1-2 size difference between the breasts”

Creases or empty space in the cups

All women have slightly asymmetrical breasts. The difference in the size and shape of the breasts is greater for some women than others. It’s not uncommon for there to be a 1-2 cup size difference. For the smaller breast there can be empty space left in the cup. This is completely normal. However, if there’s empty space in both cups then your cup size is too big. You often can’t tell that the cups are too big if you’re wearing a padded bra, so feel for empty space by pressing on the cups with your fingers.

Four breasts instead of two

Put a tight thin top over your bra. Is there is a smooth transition from the edge of the cups to the neckline? If so, you’re wearing the right size. On the other hand, if there’s a small muffin top at the edge of each cup, then the cup size you’re wearing is too small. Go up one cup size. If you have an obvious ‘double breast’, you may need to go up several cup sizes, perhaps even three or four.

Red marks on the breasts

It’s more common for women to be wearing a cup size that’s too small than too big. An obvious sign that the cups are too small is if the underwire presses in at the sides of the breasts or if you have red marks on your breasts when you take your bra off in the evening. The underwire should enclose and cradle the breasts; it shouldn’t pinch anywhere. If it does, you need to go up a cup size.

“It’s more common for women to be wearing a cup size that’s too small than too big”

Tips for when you’re changing cup size

If you find that the band fits tightly enough around the body, you don’t need to change band size if your cup size regularly fluctuates. You only need to increase or reduce your cup size by one letter.

On the other hand, if you do need to change band size (because the band is too tight or loose), you’ll also need to change cup size. The cup size is always proportional to the band size. In other words, the volume of a C cup changes depending on the band size. The volume of a C cup with a band size 70 is much less than a C cup with a band size 100.

The following size examples have the same volume in the cups: 75E – 80D – 85C – 90B – 95A. For each band size you go up, go down one cup size, and vice versa.

Examples:
• If you’re wearing a size 80D and the band fits well but the cups are too big, choose a size 80C.
• If you’re wearing a size 80D and the band fits well but the cups are too small, choose a size 80E.
• If you’re wearing a size 80D but the band is too loose and the cups fit well, choose a size 75E. This will give you the same cup volume as before.
• If you’re wearing a size 80D but the band is too tight and the cups fit well, choose a size 85C. This will give you the same cup volume as before.
• If you’re wearing a size 80D but the band and cups are too big, choose a size 75D. This will reduce your cup volume by one size.
• If you’re wearing a size 80D but the band and cups are too small, choose a size 85D. This will increase your cup volume by one size.

If you think it sounds complicated or you feel unsure about your cup size, speak to one of our excellent customer service advisors. They are experts at helping you to find the right bra size, by phone, chat, email or on social media, and they’re available 7 days a week. Don’t hesitate to contact them whether you have a question about sizing, shape, bra models, deliveries or how to choose or buy a bra.