Why Won’t My Strapless Bra Stay Up?
We’ve all been there — you’re having a pleasant conversation on a dinner date or breaking it down on the dance floor with your girlfriends, and then suddenly the brutal realization hits: your strapless bra is steadily slipping. Now you’re faced with the awkward task of pulling it back up — only to find that it starts sliding downward once again minutes later. It’s not just a nuisance when your strapless bra keeps falling down, it’s also downright embarrassing and uncomfortable. So, why won’t your strapless bra stay up? And what can you do about it?
In this guide, we’ll dig into all the top sources of this common problem, plus some potential solutions.
Your strapless bra doesn’t fit well
If your strapless bra won’t stay up, there’s a good chance you’re wearing the wrong size. Specifically, it’s likely that the band is too big. Very often, you’ll need to opt for a smaller band size than you’d normally get when you buy a strapless bra (you can compensate for this by going up a cup size, and that’s called your sister size). Why? Well, a tighter band is more likely to stay in place. Of course, the band shouldn’t be so tight that it causes discomfort in any way, but it should feel as snug as possible. The only way to know if you’re wearing the right band size is to get measured by a pro, so if it’s been six months or more since you’ve done so, we advise heading to your nearest department store or lingerie boutique for a bra fitting.
The bra band isn’t wide enough
Speaking of the band — if it’s too narrow, that could be another cause of your strapless bra slippage. This is especially true for full-busted women. In fact, the larger/heavier your breasts, the wider the band you’ll need on your strapless bra. A wide band provides more support than a narrow one. That’s why you may find that a strapless bustier or even a strapless longline bra is more likely to stay up than a typical strapless bra. That extra material under the band contributes to the support (and as an added bonus, provides some shaping benefits!)
Related: Finding A Supportive Strapless Bra: 6 Do’s and Don’t’s
Jeanie Strapless Contour Bra 4815 | Jeanie High Cut Brief 4803 in Black
Your strapless bra is past its prime
Another reason why a strapless bra might keep slipping down is that it’s simply too old. Any bra will begin to lose its elasticity and stretch out over time, and as previously mentioned, when a bra becomes too loose in the band, it is less likely to stay up. The lifespan of a bra will depend on how often you wear it, and whether you wash it and dry it with care, but as a general rule, it will likely only last for about six months to a year. Note that strapless bras have to do a bit more work than the average bra (after all, they’re supporting your breasts sans straps), which is why they tend to wear out faster. Want to get the most wear out of your strapless bra? Then make sure that it fits snug on the loosest band setting — that way, you can tighten it as needed when it continues to stretch out with wear.
Final considerations
If you’ve addressed all of those possible problems and your strapless bra still won’t stay up, there are a few other tried-and-true tactics you can try. For example, you might try safety pinning the bra to your dress or top. Or, you can use double-sided fashion tape to hold the bra against your skin. Another popular trick is to take a removable strap from a convertible bra and wrap it around your torso under the cups, connecting it to the opposite side. This tends to make the band a tad more secure, thus preventing the bra from sliding downward. Lastly, consider opting for a longline bustier if you’re full-busted. A longline bustier is designed to hug the torso and provide extra stability and support for bigger busts, in addition to keeping the strapless cups in place.
Ultimately, the best way to make sure your strapless bra stays up is to buy one that’s high quality and fits you flawlessly. It may sound like a lot of effort to find the perfect one, but here’s the thing — avoiding the hassle of tugging at your bra all night is downright priceless.
Related: Should You Buy Your Lingerie Online or In Store?
Elissa Strapless Bra in Nude, Pearl White, Black
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, 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!
