Why Do My Bra Straps Fall Off My Shoulders?

At the end of the day, your bra should be making your life easier — not adding more hassles and frustrations. So if you find yourself continually having to pull your straps back onto your shoulders, pay attention: your bra is trying to tell you something.

There are many different reasons why you might be dealing with strap slippage, ranging from your body frame type to wearing the wrong size or simply the style of the bra you’re sporting. In this guide, we’ll get to the bottom of why this problem can happen, and more importantly — what to do about it.

The culprits

Are you absolutely certain you know your true cup size? This is an important consideration, as wearing a cup size that’s too big could cause your straps to slip. That’s because when your breasts don’t completely fill out the cups, they don’t apply enough tension on the straps to keep them in place. Look for gaping, wrinkling or empty space at the top of the cups to determine if this is your issue. First, try scooping your breast tissue into the cups to make sure they’re well placed. If the problem persists, you’ll need to go down a cup size.

Moreover, your band size might be too big. When the band is too loose, the straps are also set further apart, making them more likely to slip off your shoulders. If you decide to go down a band size, remember that you’ll also need to go up a cup size to compensate for the change (Note: this is called your “bra sister size”).

It’s also possible that you’re just not wearing the best bra style for your body. For example, if you have narrow shoulders, it’s crucial to note how the straps are placed on a bra, as wide set straps are definitely more likely to fall off.

Or, it may simply be an issue of your straps not being sufficiently tightened. Remember: the straps on a bra will start to stretch out with wear, so you’ll need to tighten them from time to time over the course of its lifespan.

The solutions

Always try adjusting your straps first — and if they’re still slipping down on the tightest setting, you’ll know there’s another issue going on. One way to test whether the straps are tight enough is to slip two fingers underneath them and be sure that you can’t easily move them around.
You may also consider trying a bra style with straps that are set closer together. For example, a racerback bra is an excellent choice. A bra with a J-hook or a convertible bra is another great option, as you can fasten the straps in different ways (such as halter and criss-cross) so that they stay put on your shoulders. Some bras even have silicone strips adhered the bottom of the straps, which can help them to stick better to your skin and remain in place.