How To Know If Your Bra Fits Perfectly
“When you know, you know.” Wouldn’t it be great if it was that simple when it came to the fit of a bra? The reality is, many of us are still not quite certain what a flawlessly fitting bra looks or feels like. But it’s worth finding out, because a bra that fits well will not only make your clothes hang better and give you a boost of confidence, but also take some of the weight off your back and shoulders, thus minimizing strain and potential pain.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled this guide on how to know if your bra fits perfectly so you never have to wonder again.
The band
As the band provides the vast majority of the support on a bra, it’s the first thing you should inspect when making a fit assessment.
Make sure to hook your bra on the loosest hook and eye closure. That’s because the elastic in a bra band will stretch out with wear, and you want to make sure it fits on the loosest closure so that you can tighten it as needed over time.
The band should fit snugly around your torso (without causing any kind of discomfort), and you shouldn’t be able to fit more than two fingers underneath it. Take a look at your back in the mirror and make sure that runs completely straight, at an even line that’s parallel to the floor. In fact, lift your arms up high to be sure that it still doesn’t ride up.
Underwire
If your bra features wire, make sure that it closely encapsulates the breast tissue without digging into it whatsoever. It should also lie flush against the rib cage.
If you’re finding that the underwire near the side is cutting into your breast at all, first try scooping the tissue toward the front of your body to see if it fits inside the wire.
The cups
Take a look at the cups, and identify whether your breasts feel securely contained by them. Even if you’re wearing a cleavage-boosting push-up bra or plunge bra, there shouldn’t be any spillage of breast tissue out of the top, sides, or bottom of the cups.
Additionally, the fabric of the cups should look smooth against your breasts, with no gaping, wrinkling, or puckering.
Related: Ill-Fitting Bra Symptoms: Are You Wearing The Wrong Bra Size?
Center gore
Now that you’ve evaluated the cups, take a peek at that panel right in the middle that connects them. Make sure you’re not able to pull it away from your body easily, and that you can’t fit more than a finger or two between the center gore and your torso. The center gore should lay flush against your skin, with no space in between. It also should never actually lay on top of any breast tissue.
The straps
Did you know that the main purpose of the straps is to help keep the cups from falling away from your breasts? It goes without saying that your straps should stay in place. You also want to be sure that they are holding the cups flush against your breasts.
One good test to see if your straps fit well is to pull them upward — you shouldn’t be able to easily lift them more than one inch. That said, it also shouldn’t feel like the straps are digging into your shoulders, as this could lead to discomfort down the line and possibly even indentation marks (which may even become permanent).
Finally, do a little jumping and bend over to make sure the straps still don’t slide off.
Pro tips
After you’ve taken a look at all of these fit factors, take a look in the mirror and make sure that you absolutely love the way it looks on you (after all, you deserve nothing less!) Of course, the easiest way to be sure that you’re wearing the right bra for you is to get fitted by a professional, which you can do at most department stores and lingerie boutiques — not only will you get measured by an expert, but sometimes it’s super helpful to get a second opinion on a particular style. The bottom line? Don’t settle for a bra that doesn’t pass the fit test.
Related: How Does A Bra Fitting Work?
We Highly Recommend
Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.
Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.
If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.
Happy bra shopping!
