Why Does My Bra Gap In Front? 

Does your bra gap in the front? Gaping in the center gore or cups is a telltale sign of a poorly fitting bra. When you’re wearing the right bra, your breast tissue is fully contained in the cups, the band stays in place even when you raise your arms, and the straps never fall off your shoulders.

Extra space in the cups or space between your breastbone and the center front can typically be fixed by changing the bra size. If you find that sizing isn’t the issue, you might simply need a different style of bra.

Often, your breast shape determines if a style will work for you or not. Women with close set breasts or augmented breasts may find it difficult to get a good fit with a bra that doesn’t have a low center gore. A tall center gore may never fully tact against their breastbone because the shape and fullness of their breast tissue.

In this article, we’re exploring the two most common areas of bra gaping: the cups and the center gore. Read on for everything you need to know. 

Check the fit of your bra first

First things first, in order to determine where exactly the bra fit problem lies, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing your bra properly. If you’re wearing a bra that doesn’t fit well, it will likely move throughout the day. You might find yourself adjusting your bra band or fixing a fallen strap.

Since we’re only discussing the fit of the cups and center gore in this article, you’ll need to make sure your bra band and straps are fitting as well as possible.

Here’s how to check the fit of your bra at home:

First, check the fit of the bra band. Is it parallel to the floor? Can you fit two fingers between your skin and the bra band? If you said yes to both, you’re ready to move on to the next step. If not, it’s probably time for a bra fitting and new bras.

For the next step, scoop your breast tissue completely into the cups. You want your breast tissue to be encapsulated within the underwire of the bra’s cups. Bra fitters often call this the ‘swoop and scoop’.

Then, take a look at your straps. The straps should be tight enough so they stay in place, but loose enough so they don’t cause your bra band to move up your back. A good rule of thumb: You should be able to fit two fingers between your skin and the strap.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About The Scoop and Swoop

Bra fit problem #1:

The cups gap

If your bra cups are gaping, figure out where the gap is first. Is there extra space at the top of the cup where the strap meets the cup? This could mean that your straps are too loose or that you’re wearing the wrong bra size. On the other hand, there may be extra space in the cups. If you’ve already scooped all of your breast tissue into the cups and you still notice gaping, you likely need a smaller cup size.

Bra fit problem #2:

The center gore gaps

In a perfect fit, the center gore (or center panel) of the bra should tact against your breastbone. But with some breast shapes, this is very hard to achieve. We suggest looking for a bra that lies as flat as possible against your sternum without feeling uncomfortable. The center gore of the bra helps to separate breast tissue. With three-part cup bras, a well-fitting center gore is crucial to the fit. A three-part bra is designed to lift, separate, and center breast tissue. Much of the lifting and centering is done through the construction of the bra’s cups, but the center gore plays a key role in breast separation.

If you’re not sure which breast shape you have or you can’t figure out why your bras aren’t fitting as well as they should, we suggest getting a bra fitting at a local lingerie store. A bra fitter can help you find bras that fit your boobs well and feel amazing. Perfect!

Related: Bra Shopping Guide: Tips For Buying New Bras

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!