There are many different terms we use to classify breast shapes. One of the most common (and important to know) is fullness. Breasts can be full on top, full on the bottom, or evenly full all over. Why do you need to understand fullness? Because it plays a major role in determining which bras will fit you best.

If you’re curious about how to figure out your fullness, as well as which bras are best suited to your type, then read on.

What’s my fullness type?

Here’s one super simple way to determine your breast fullness. Stand in front of a mirror braless and bend over at a 90-degree angle. Turn to the side, and lightly cup your breasts with your hands without pulling them upward (it’s a lot harder to tell where the fullness lies if your breasts are entirely unsupported). Now take a look at where the nipple lies: does it look like there’s more breast tissue above it? Then you have full-on-top (FOT) breasts.

If the majority of the tissue is below the nipple, then you know that you have full-on-bottom (FOB) breasts. However, if the tissue appears to be evenly distributed, then your breasts have all-over fullness.

Which bras are best for me?

Certain bra styles will work better for FOT breasts, just as others will suit FOB breasts better. Once you know your fullness type, you can shop for bras more strategically. Note that your root height can also have an impact on this. For example, those with short roots will want to seek out full-on-bottom bras, while those with tall roots will likely need full-on-top bras.

Full on bottom

This type of breasts requires bras with cups that can accommodate more tissue at the bottom. Look for any bras with deep cups to avoid any spillage. Also, bras with a lot of underside support are ideal.

For example, a longline bra is an excellent choice, as it features a little extra fabric and boning beneath the cups for additional support underneath the breasts.

FOB breasts may find that plunge bras work well, too. If you’ve ever noticed that you have trouble filling up the upper part of your bra cups (leading to unsightly gaping), a plunge bra will eliminate that issue. For the same reason, a demi cup bra is a spectacular choice — it features less coverage, as the cups only come up to slightly above the nipple line.

Any molded bras, including push up bras, are spectacular for FOB breasts. By sculpting the tissue upward and inward, these styles can distribute your breast tissue evenly to make your boobs look less shallow on top.

Full on top

Cut-and-sew bras will be your best friend if your breasts are fuller on the top. That’s because bras with artful seaming on the cups (three-part cups, for example) can provide optimal sculpting and support, enhancing your shape for natural looking roundness. In particular, vertical seams can help provide some major lift.

You may also find that full-cup bras can accommodate for your fullness on top.

Any bras that have elastic along the top edge of the cups are excellent options for you. These cups are more likely to conform to your shape, and less likely to cut into your full upper breast tissue.

Don’t forget about contour bras — these can work wonders for shaping your breasts and making them look more evenly full throughout.

As they say, knowledge is power — and this is certainly true when it comes to your breasts. Hopefully, you have a deeper understanding of your own fullness type, as well as which styles are going to flatter your shape. Alas, now comes the fun part… it’s time for some bra shopping!

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!

Whether you noticed it during a hug or after a long run, breast tenderness is certainly something that’s tough to ignore. While it may be concerning at first, know this: tender breasts are actually an extremely common issue. In fact, according to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, breast pain affects up to 70 percent of women at some point in their lifetime.

That doesn’t mean you have to accept the discomfort, though. So, what’s the culprit of breast tenderness? And is there anything you can do about it? In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about breast tenderness causes and solutions.

Is your bra to blame?

It’s important to note that there are a variety of factors that can cause breast tenderness, including everything from stress, your period, breastfeeding, and pregnancy, to an intense upper body workout (think: bench presses and pushups). Hormonal fluctuations or sore muscles can certainly be to blame. However, an ill-fitting bra is one of the most common causes. Simply put: If your breasts are feeling especially tender or sensitive, they may not be getting adequate support.

When was the last time you went bra shopping? The fact is, bras stretch out with time. If you’re wearing bras you bought over a year ago, there’s a good chance it’s too big for you, and therefore may not be offering the amount of support you need. Other signs that your bra is too big include gaping cups and a band that rides up in the back.

On the other hand, breast soreness can also be caused by a bra that’s too tight. So if you feel like the underwire or band is digging into you or your boobs are spilling out of the cups, that’s a key sign that your bra is too small.

It’s especially crucial that your sports bra is lending sufficient support. So if you’re experiencing any soreness or tenderness after your sweat session, consider that you may need a more supportive bra to wear during physical activity. This is particularly important if you have large breasts and/or engage in high-impact workouts, like running, dancing, or plyometric training.

What you can do about it

OK, so you’ve determined your bra is to blame for your breast tenderness. Now what?

First thing’s first: It’s time to get fitted by a professional to determine your correct size. Fittings can be done at most department stores and lingerie boutiques. And an expert will be able to not only accurately take your measurements, but also address any other bra fit issues you’ve been facing.

As previously mentioned, a well-fitting sports bra is key for preventing soreness during and after any athletic activities. The underband offers the majority of the support and should fit as snugly as possible without being uncomfortable. And the straps should also be as tight as can be without digging into your shoulders. If you have larger breasts, you’ll likely want to look for an encapsulation sports bra, which features separate cups for your breasts, as opposed to a compression bra (which offers no individual separation). Better yet, look for a combination bra that fuses compression and encapsulation for maximum support. Adjustable straps and band closures are key to making sure you can customize the fit so that it’s perfect for your unique body.

Remember

No woman should have to deal with breast tenderness on a regular basis. While it’s an extremely common affliction, there are certainly ways to resolve it. To recap — you can avoid this pesky problem by making sure you’re wearing the correct bra size, and that you’re wearing the right bra styles for your breast shape and size to guarantee adequate support. Remember: A professional fitter can offer super helpful guidance in all of these regards, so if you haven’t been fitted in the last six months, that’s probably the first step to banishing the breast tenderness for good.

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!

The center gore on your bra serves a very important function: It connects the cups, as well as keeps the breasts separate. Sometimes, this panel rises away from your chest. You may be wondering: Why doesn’t it lay flat? And what can I do to fix it?

No matter what, a well-fitting bra will have a center gore that lies against your sternum. If it’s not, the problem comes down to one of two causes: the bra size is wrong, or the bra style doesn’t suit you. So, which is it? Read on to find out.

How the center gore affects the fit

If the center gore is floating away from your chest, either the cups may be too small, or the band too big. If the cups are too small, you’ll know because they won’t contain your breast tissue, which might spill out of the top, sides, or bottom (take a peek near your underarms, a common place for spillage). And if you suspect that’s the case, consider going up a cup size to ensure your breasts are fully encapsulated.

On the other hand, if the band is too big (as in, you’re wearing it on the tightest setting and still not getting adequate support), then you’ll want to go down a band size.

One key indicator that the band is too big is when it rides up in the back. Also, you shouldn’t be able to comfortably fit more than two fingers between the band and your torso (if you can, then you definitely need a smaller size).

Determining your breast shape

The only way to know for sure if you’re wearing the correct size is to get fitted by a professional. At a bra fitting, an expert can find out your band and cup measurements, but also recommend specific styles that will accommodate your breast shape.

Speaking of shape… did you know that wearing the wrong bra style for yours can actually cause problems with the center gore? This is one more reason why it’s critical to know your breast type: You can make more informed decisions about which styles will fit you best.

Figuring out the best bra style for your breast shape

The majority of full-cup bras, for example, have a high center gore, while plunge bras have a low center gore. This means that if you have full breasts, full-cup bras will work nicely. On the other hand, those with athletic or slender breasts may find that a low center gore fits much better.

It’s important to look at the distance between your breasts when deciding on the right bras for you. Are your two breasts set farther apart toward the sides of your torso? If so, you’ll need a bra with a wider center gore to keep your wide-set breasts securely in place.

On the other hand, if your breasts are set closer together, seek out bras that have a narrow center gore, such as a demi-cup bra, which will still separate your boobs but won’t cut into your breast tissue.

Pro tips

A center gore that floats away from the chest is one of the key indicators of a poor fit. Still, it’s just as important to wear bra styles that are well suited to your breast shape to prevent this unsightly and uncomfortable issue. Be sure to educate yourself on the ins and outs of each style, specifically in regards to the center panel, before shopping for new bras.

And of course, we always advice getting fitted every six months — your bra size can change due to a wide variety of factors and making sure you’re wearing the correct one will help you to avoid a whole slew of issues, including a gap between the center gore and your skin.

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!

When you arrive home at the end of the workday, is the first thing that you do tear off your bra? And if so, is it because the straps have been digging into your shoulders for hours? This issue can cause more than just a little discomfort — it can also lead to permanent indentations. And in the long run, it may even cause back pain or worse, nerve damage.

So if you feel like your straps are cutting into your shoulders, don’t ignore this problem. There are a number of reasons why this may be happening to you, and fortunately, a number of ways to fix it.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know the dreaded digging bra straps.

What’s the cause?

One of the biggest misconceptions about bras is that the straps are what holds your breasts up. In fact, it’s the band that should be doing a significant majority of the heavy lifting (roughly 80 percent!). So, if the straps are digging into your shoulders, that may simply be an indicator that the band doesn’t fit snugly enough to properly do its job. Try a smaller band size, which may offer the added support you need.

Keep in mind that if you go down in band size, the cup will be smaller as well. This is why it’s crucial to get to know your “sister size” (which means going up a cup size when you go down in band size). It’s also another reason why we advise getting fitted by a professional if you suspect you’re wearing the wrong size (or if it’s been six months since you’ve been measured).

If the straps are digging in even when you’re wearing the correct size, it may simply be a matter of a bra being past its prime. All bras gradually stretch out in the band over time with continual wearing and washing, and as a result, aren’t able to offer as much support. That means you may be tightening the straps to compensate for that lack of support, which can then cause them to dig into your shoulders.

Remember: every bra has an expiration date, and most will need to be tossed after six months to a year, depending on how often you wear them. Take a peek at your back. Is the band riding up? That means your bra straps are being forced to take on the band’s job.

If a bra is no longer lending the support you need, do yourself a favor and toss it — after all, who doesn’t like an excuse to go shopping for some new lingerie?

How can I prevent it?

Let’s start with the easiest solution. Sometimes all you need to do is loosen the straps a little to prevent them from digging into your shoulders. Don’t forget that the straps should not be responsible for providing much of the support, so they shouldn’t be so tight that they’re lifting the breasts far upward.

Of course, making sure you’re wearing the right band size is key to preventing the straps from digging in. But it’s also important to ensure you’re wearing the right bra style for your breast shape.

Full-busted women should seek out bras with wider straps, which are less likely to put a strain on your shoulders as they can distribute the weight of your breasts more effectively. Some full-figure bras even have padded straps, which can provide some extra comfort.

The bottom line is that no woman should have to deal with bra straps that dig into her shoulders. Take the previous tips into account and hopefully, you’ll be able to avoid this nuisance for good.

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!

Real talk: No one, and we mean no one, likes spillage — it’s not only supremely uncomfortable to feel like your bra is cutting into your breast tissue, but it can also put a serious damper on your look. These unsightly bulges can pop up in a number of places, including the bottom or sides of the bra. Wherever they appear, though, one thing’s for sure: you want to get rid of them.

So, what causes spillage? And what can you do about it? Read on for the full skinny on the key culprits of this common issue, as well as some tried-and-true solutions.

The problem

Your breast tissue spills out of the bottom and sides of your bra for one of two reasons: you’re either wearing the wrong cup size, or you’re wearing the wrong bra style for your breast shape.

Very often, it’s simply a matter of the cups being too small. Since they are not capable of completely encompassing your breasts, you end up spilling out as a result. Your measurements may very well have changed since your last fitting (pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight loss/gain are all factors that can affect this), and making sure you know your correct size is a sure way of preventing spillage.

It’s extremely helpful to know your breast shape to avoid a whole slew of unsightly issues — and that includes spillage. That’s because some bra styles may work better for certain shapes than others. If you’re spilling out of the sides or bottom of the cups, the problem likely has to do with coverage, especially if you have breasts that are particularly full (that includes the teardrop shape, which is mostly full on the bottom).

The solution

While it may seem like a simple fix to go up a cup size, it’s always advisable to get fitted by a professional — especially if it’s been six months or more since you’ve done so. Even if you buy a larger cup size, you may need to then reassess your band size to ensure you still get a flawless fit.

You also may need to switch up which bra styles you’re wearing. For example, if you have wide set breasts that are farther apart on your chest or outward facing breasts, you’ll want to look for bras that have some supportive features along the sides. Side boning and/or an inner sling can help to prevent the breast tissue from spilling out of the side of the cups.

A full-cup bra is less likely to cut into the top of the breast than say, a balconette bra (which has cups that only come up to just above the nipple line). So if you’re full-busted, you may want to consider this style of bra to ensure you are getting adequate coverage.

Did you know that the way you put a bra on can also affect how it fits? Try the scoop technique to ward off pesky spillage: All you have to do is scoop the breast tissue into the cups with your hands, and shift a tad as needed until your breasts are centered.

To recap: The first step to solving your spillage woes is to get fitted and determine your correct bra size. The second step is to assess which bra styles will work best for you, adequately covering and supporting your breasts while also securing them in place so that they don’t fall out of the bottom or sides of the cups.

So many swimsuit trends come and go, but one has proven it’s here to stay: the one-piece. That’s right, you can rejoice in the fact that one-piece bathing suits aren’t going anywhere. And why would they? They’re universally flattering, come in a range of cuts, prints, and colors, and offer a welcome alternative to skin-baring bikinis.

Ready to add one of these timeless swimsuits to your collection? Whether you’re seeking a simple, sleek black number or a more playful floral print one-piece, you’ll definitely want to scope out the following stores on your shopping spree.

Nordstrom

It’s tough to beat this department store when it comes to swimwear. Not only does Nordstrom carry hundreds of one-piece bathing suits, but the site makes it super easy to find what you’re looking for. Filter the results by color and price, style (halter, racerback, etc.), or even — wait for it — body type (athletic, hourglass, large bust, etc.). There’s even an option to filter for tummy-concealing one-pieces if that’s a concern.

You can have results sorted specifically for you after taking a short quiz about your preferences. If you’d feel more comfortable trying a swimsuit on before buying it, you have the option to select “shop your local store” and see what’s available at the nearest Nordstrom. The company also offers helpful tips on the product pages, such as info on certain styles running large or small.

Kohl’s

Looking for variety? Luckily, Kohl’s is another store with an impressive selection of one-piece bathing suits. In addition to shopping the swimsuits by regular size or plus size, you can also filter by color, brand, price, and even customer rating. For example, you can sort results to see the highest rated one-pieces or the best-selling styles.

HerRoom

Whether you’re on the hunt for a modest high-neck one-piece swimsuit or a more attention-grabbing plunge style, you’re bound to find it on HerRoom. This site allows you to filter by size, color, and brand, of course, but also by certain stylistic features, such as full coverage, padding, etc. You can also separate results by the size type, including full figure and plus size. And you can filter by underwire swimsuits or soft cup swimsuits as well. Sort the results by price, best sellers, new arrivals, or top reviews to see more relevant products.

Flair One Piece Swimsuit S8006 in Black

Lord & Taylor

This is another department store was an inarguably impressive selection of swimwear. In fact, Lord & Taylor boasts nearly 500 one-piece swimsuits to choose from. Of course, you can filter the products by color, brand, size, and price, but you can also do so by style (bandeau, high-waisted, push-up, etc.). We love that you can chat online with a local store associate if you need some extra guidance while you’re shopping.

Lingerie boutiques

Don’t forget about your local lingerie boutiques, either. Since fit is such a tricky issue with swimsuits, it’s sometimes better to try them on in person, anyway. And your local shop may carry hard-to-find brands that are well suited to your body type! Plus, you’ll have the advantage of being able to interact one on one with a shop stylist, who can offer advice on which styles best fit your needs or flatter your figure.

If you thought one-piece swimsuits aren’t sexy, think again. With plunging necklines, high cut legs, and other sultry details, they can be just as eye-catching as their two-piece counterparts. And fortunately, the one-piece doesn’t appear to be going out of style anytime soon. As you start your search for one, start by scoping out the selection at any of the aforementioned stores, and you’ll be beach ready in no time!

We Highly Recommend

If you’re shopping for a swimsuit that fits your bust perfectly, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find swimsuit tops that stay in place, especially when you’re shopping on your own. If you’re full-busted and you’ve struggled with finding a flattering swimsuit top or if you’ve never tried a bra-sized swim top before, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.

Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings and carry a selection of swimsuits and swimsuit tops. Their expert bra fitters can help take the pain and frustration out of swimsuit shopping and do all the work for you. They can help you find a bra-sized swimsuit top with the support and lift that you’re looking for and they can also help you find new everyday bras that fit well and feel good. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best swimsuits are hiding.

If you’re not happy with the swimsuits in your closet, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.

Happy swimsuit shopping!