Our bodies don’t stay one size forever. As your body changes, so do your breasts.
How do you know if your bra cup is too big?More than 70% of women are walking around wearing a bra that doesn’t fit them. Are you one of them?
Here are the signs that you’re wearing the wrong size bra cup and how your bra should fit.
- You’re bouncing more than usual. Your bra should keep you secure and minimize bounce. While an everyday bra won’t minimize movement as much as a sports bra will, it shouldn’t feel like you’re not wearing anything. When your bra cup is too big you may find that your breasts bounce around inside the cup. This may be more noticeable in molded cups than in unlined cups. If the band still stays in the same position, this means that your cups are too big.
- There’s a gap at the top of the cups. This one is fairly simple to recognize. When you look down at your bra do you notice space between your breasts and the cup? If so, it’s too big. If you aren’t able to see any gaps while standing up, try leaning over while looking into a mirror. If there is extra space in your cups it’s time for a new size. Your bra cup should enclose your breasts completely. There shouldn’t be any space.
- The cups wrinkle. If you wear a bra that is unlined and the cups are too big you may notice that the fabric wrinkles up. If you normally wear a lined or padded bra you may notice that there is wrinkling in the pads after you take it off. Like we said, your breasts should fill the cup completely; there shouldn’t be any room for wrinkles.
- You have to constantly readjust. You shouldn’t need to fidget with your bra as the day goes on. Are you familiar with scoop and set? When you’re putting on your bra you should scoop your breast tissue up and set it in so that the nipple is centered in the cup. If you find yourself needing to scoop and set throughout the day it’s a sign that your cups are too big.
- You don’t feel supported. Especially for breast types like teardrop or pendulous that aren’t naturally lifted, if you find your breasts “slipping” by the end of the day it means that your cups aren’t keeping your breasts in place and are likely too big.
- You’re constantly tightening your bra. This can be because the band is too big, the cups are too big, or the straps need to be tightened. If the band feels tight but you’re not getting support, try tightening the straps. If you’re still not supported it means that your cups are too big. The best way to figure things out once and for all is to get fitted.
How do you know if your bra fits you?
Now that we’ve gone over ways to tell if your cups don’t fit, how do you know when it’s a proper fit?
- There shouldn’t be any overflow. When your bra fits properly there your breast should not be spilling out of the cups. Depending on your breast type it may just be the style causing the problem. For example, round breasts are very full at the top and a style like a push-up may cause them to spill out but a style like a demi may fit just right. It’s important to know what type of breasts you have. This way you can find the styles that best compliment them. This will make it easier to find bras that fit perfectly.
- Your underwire shouldn't be resting on top of your breast tissue. This includes the sides of your breast as well. When you put your bra on, lift up your arms and make sure that there’s no “underboob” showing. If your bra pops up at the front it means that either your band is too small, your cups are too small or both.
- Your band shouldn’t be unbearably tight. While it’s important that your band is tight enough it shouldn't be so tight that it becomes painful. It shouldn't leave any long-lasting red marks or restrict your rib movement in any way. You should be able to slip two fingers underneath. If you can fit more than two, it’s a sign that your band is too big. Remember, your band does most of the work when it comes to supporting your breasts. If it’s too big your straps try to pick up the slack. This causes other problems.
- The straps should be just right. When your straps are too tight they dig into your shoulders and can cause permanent damage over time. You shouldn’t rely on your straps to do all of the lifting, it’s the band’s main job.
When your bra fits properly it should keep your breasts in place. Your bra should feel comfortable and give you support. The right bra shouldn’t be something that you dread putting on. It should make you feel confident.
There’s absolutely no need to deal with bras that are too tight, dig in, or slip off of your shoulders! If you need help finding your perfect fit take a look at our Bra Fit Guide.
You’ll learn how to measure yourself and can use our BraSize Calculatorto get the size that’s best for you. We’re here to help you on your journey to finding the perfect bra.
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FAQs
When you look down at your bra do you notice space between your breasts and the cup? If so, it's too big. If you aren't able to see any gaps while standing up, try leaning over while looking into a mirror. If there is extra space in your cups it's time for a new size.
How do I know if my bra cup is too big? ›
In order to determine if your cup size is too big or small, look to see if you have an extra bump of breast tissue at the top or at the sides of the cups or if you have a wrinkle in the cups or extra space in the cup.
How do you tell if you need to go down a cup size? ›
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.
What to do if cup size is big? ›
Forgo the TP and try one of these as padding options instead:
- Foam breast enlargement pads.
- Silicone bra inserts.
- The removable padding from a sports bra or swimsuit.
- An adhesive backless bra, a strapless bra, or the cups from a now-retired bra.
Ill-fitting bras have also been associated with neck, back and shoulder pain, bad posture, and rubbing and chafing leading to skin abrasions. We also see ill-fitting bras causing permanent changes to the body, such as deep grooves in the shoulders caused by pressure from the bra shoulder straps.
Is it better to go up or down a cup size? ›
Proper cup fit is influenced by band size. As the band size changes, so does the cup size. For every band size you go down, you should go up one cup. If you are in a 34D with a good cup fit, but want to go down to a 32 band, you would go to a 32DD for a tighter band with the same cup fit.
How should my cup fit? ›
“A properly sized cup should fit comfortably around the groin area and shouldn't touch the testicl*s,” says Dr. Baber. If the cup shifts or feels too loose, choose a different size. Choose a material.
Does weight affect cup size? ›
But it varies. For some women, gaining or losing 20 pounds will make them go up or down a cup size; for others, it's more like 50 pounds.
When you lose weight is your bra too big? ›
A change in bra sizes from weight loss won't always mean a decrease in cup size. You could lose weight, but actually gain a cup size. It all comes down to how your body loses fat, and how the weight loss affects the shape of your breasts. But don't let a potential change in bra sizes deter you from losing weight.
What is the nicest cup size? ›
Understanding “Ideal” Breast Size
Likewise, 49% of men and 52% of women concurred that a C cup is the ideal breast size, which is close to the average breast size of women in both the United States and Europe.
More generally, men and women prefer bigger cup sizes, namely C, D, and DD. Over six out of ten women (60.4%) said that their ideal bust size is a C cup, compared with just over one in two men (53.6%). Overall, this mid-sized cup is popular with both men and women, in both Europe and the US.
What cup size is the prettiest? ›
In most of these surveys, majority of participants including men and women have voted in favor of C cup breast size as the perfect boob size. In one of the most comprehensive surveys involving around 1,000 Europeans and 1,000 Americans, more than 53% of men voted for average breast size as the ideal boob size.
What is the average cup size? ›
Globally, a natural female breast has an average size somewhere between a large "A" and a smaller "B" in the US size system. According to European or Australian classifications, this would be a "B".
What is normal cup size? ›
The average bra size in the United States is 34DD. That said, average breast size does not necessarily equate “normal” size. Average breast size can vary by country. In the U.K., for example, the average is 36DD.
Which is bigger cup size B or C? ›
For less than one inch you are a AA cup, for one inch you are an A cup, for two inches you are a B cup, for three inches you are C cup, for four inches you are a D cup and for five inches you are a DD cup.
Why do breasts get bigger with age? ›
As females get older, their bodies start to produce less of the reproductive hormone estrogen than before. Estrogen stimulates the growth of breast tissue, while low levels of this hormone cause the mammary glands to shrink.
Does cup size change with age? ›
With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and can develop a stretched and looser appearance. It's not uncommon to change your cup size as you age. Dense breast tissue is replaced by fatty tissue as the aging process continues.
When should I buy new bras for weight loss? ›
If the weight loss slows, add another bra into your rotation. If you're looking to lose between 20 to 60 pounds, I recommend purchasing two bras to start as the loss will be more progressive. Make those last as long as possible before buying new ones.
What is the best way to lose weight in your breasts? ›
Regular exercise can help shed chest fat and strengthen the muscles underneath the breasts to reduce their size. Because the breasts contain a portion of fat, focusing on cardio and high-intensity exercises can help shed weight faster and target problem areas.
Do you drop bra sizes when you lose weight? ›
“Roughly every 30 pounds lost is a band size,” says Melissa. “Women who experience rapid weight loss—say 60 or 90 pounds within a few months—usually don't lower their band size enough. At my heaviest, I wore a 36. When I started losing weight, that number dropped way faster than I expected.
Overall Body Size and Your Breasts
Shape magazine notes, though, that it takes losing about 20 percent of your weight to drop an entire cup size. A woman who weighs 160 pounds would need to lose 32 pounds to see this change, for example.
When you lose weight do you go down a cup size? ›
Weight loss or weight gain won't dramatically affect cup size, says Daniel Maman, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Manhattan who sees several patients for breast surgery every day.
What causes you to go up a cup size? ›
Weight loss/gain
It makes sense since your breasts are made up partly of fat tissue. This is more likely to occur if the weight shift has been significant (i.e., more than a few pounds). Naturally, if you've gained weight, you'll increase in cup size, while your size will decrease if you've lost weight.
What happens if you lose weight and your bra is too big? ›
A change in bra sizes from weight loss won't always mean a decrease in cup size. You could lose weight, but actually gain a cup size. It all comes down to how your body loses fat, and how the weight loss affects the shape of your breasts. But don't let a potential change in bra sizes deter you from losing weight.
How heavy is a DD breast? ›
This source also states that a pair of D-cup breasts weighs between 15 and 23 pounds.
What kind of bra is best for weight loss? ›
Try to stick to bras that have a more forgiving cup, ones that have a flexible fabric like in a soft cup bra. They're perfect because they tend to contour to the changes in your breast shape and size better. I don't recommend molded cup bras when losing weight.
Where do you lose weight first? ›
Mostly, losing weight is an internal process. You will first lose hard fat that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and then you will start to lose soft fat like waistline and thigh fat. The fat loss from around the organs makes you leaner and stronger.
Does the number affect the cup size? ›
Bra sizes are based on your band size (the number) and your cup size (the letter). These measurements are usually determined by using a tape measure around your rib cage and bust. The number/letter is your bra size.
Does cup size increase with age? ›
The physiological changes that occur in breasts with ageing are well described5–8 and are typically reported by women as an increase in breast size and ptosis.
How can I reduce my cup size naturally? ›
The following natural remedies may help reduce breast size:
- Diet. The breasts are mostly made up of adipose tissue, or fat. ...
- Exercise. Like diet, exercise can help a person lose body fat, which might also help reduce breast size over time. ...
- Reduce estrogen. ...
- Binding. ...
- Change bra.
