Many women say things like; “the bra I have doesn’t give much support”, “the straps are digging into my shoulders”, “the band in the back is riding up” or “the underwire is cutting into my sides”, etc, etc.

An ill fitting bra can cause red marks on your skin, ride up your back, dig into your back and cause flesh bulging from the sides. A cup size that’s too small can pinch and be uncomfortable and well endowed women often find themselves overflowing from their bra cups.

There are so many little problems that can be a big hassle when you’re trying to go about your day. The one thing these problems all have in common whether you’re a 32B or a 40DD, a 22 year old or a 57 year old, is that your bra problems are unlikely to go away unless something changes. And the only person who can make those changes is you.

Women who experience bra problems whilst wearing a bra are often wearing the wrong bra. Again this usually comes down to having not recently been fitted properly for a bra. This post looks at common bra problems and given a few suggestions on how you might overcome the problems. Many solutions will tell you to consider a new bra but they also come with valuable pointers that might help you understand why you’re suffering from certain bra problems.

These are just little tips to help you to fix your bra problem.

Fitted for a bra two years ago but now it doesn’t fit

Whilst it’s great that you were measured for a bra two years ago, because of the changes a woman’s body can undergo over time, it’s recommended that you get your bra measured about twice every year.

There’s a good chance that you were fitted two years ago and have got into the common habit of buying the same bra since. If that same size bra no longer feels good, it’s very likely that your size has changed over the last two years. If you’re still wearing that same bra you bought two years ago, it’s likely to have stretched considerably and sadly …worn out.

Breasts bulging out of bra

If your breasts sometimes bulge out of the top or sides of the bra cup, then the bra cup size could be too small. Try going up a cup size so that the breasts are totally encased in the cups (e.g. if you’re wearing a C cup, try a D).

This leaves you a less than attractive lumpy appearance under clothes and if you’re bulging out, it’s often very obvious to other people that you’re wearing a bra that doesn’t fit properly. This is one of the most common bra fitting problems. Perhaps you need a bra for fuller shapes in the size you are currently wearing.

Breasts bulge out of the sides of bra

This is similar to the previous complaint and the suggestions above might help.

Another possible solution could be to try a bra which is one band size larger (e.g. if you’re wearing a 34, try 36). You could also try a style that provides more cup coverage.

Bra cup Wrinkled and squashed

If your bra cup has a wrinkling and squashing look, it could mean that the cup size of the bra is too big for you, in which case the cups are under-filled.

You may want to try one cup size smaller. However, if the wrinkling is only at the tip of the cup, this could mean that the cup size is too small because your breasts cannot fit into the cups properly – in this instance, try one cup size bigger.

Other ideas include trying a seamed cup if you are wearing a seamless bra that is wrinkling. You might also want to try a cup with fiberfill or a stretch cup.

Bra Underwire sticks out or digs in

Bra Underwire can sometimes stick out, or more uncomfortably dig in under your arms. This is often a sign that the bra cup size is too small and your breasts are forcing the bra away from your body.

Try one cup size larger so that the wires lie flat against your body and fully encase your breasts. You might also want to try a non-underwire soft cup style.

Bra rides up back

When your bra rides up your back, it’s often because the back size of your bra is too big. Try a tighter hook so that your bra fits more snugly or lengthen the shoulder straps.

If this fails, go down a back size so that the strap fits firmly but comfortably around your rib cage.

Apart from women sometimes trying to squeeze into cup sizes that are too small, a common mistake is to wear back sizes that are too big. The strap around your body should fit snugly and it will only move around if it’s too big. If this is happening, you need to try a smaller back size.

Remember that a smaller back size bra will also be smaller in the cup. For example, if you found that a 34B fitted you well in the cup but was too big around the back, a 32B would have a smaller cup. This means that if you go to a smaller band you might need a larger cup.

Bra straps dig into shoulders

When the bra straps dig into your shoulders, it could be a sign that the back size of your bra is probably too big.

Also make sure that you have the right cup size. A cup that is too small won’t support full figures and can create a lot of pull on the shoulder straps.

The main support provided by a bra should come from the strap around your back and not from the shoulder straps. If your shoulder straps are digging in, you are probably wearing a back size that is too big for you, so try going down a back size. Alternatively, you might simply need to loosen the shoulder straps. Wider or padded straps also might help stop the shoulder straps from digging in.

Bra strap around the body digs in

When the bra strap around the body digs in, it could be a size that you bra’s back size too small.

Try going up a back size so that the strap fits firmly but comfortably around your body. Alternatively, try a bra with a wider band.

Bra doesn’t lie flat against body

If your bra doesn’t lie flat against your body, try a larger cup or a smaller band size.

Bra Sagging breasts

If you’re not already doing it, try a bra style with departing cups and / or an underwire. Try shortening the straps. This pulls the top of the cup upward, repositioning the breasts and minimizing any sag. You should also try to avoid stretchy fabrics.

It’s possible that your bra band and cup size are too big. When the band is too big, it can ride up your back, resulting in your breasts being pitched downward. If your cup size is too big, your breasts have more room to sag.

If you’ve been wearing the bra for some time, it might simply be that you need a new bra.

If you have naturally sloping shoulders, this could contribute to slipping straps consequently allow more sag. If your shoulders are rounded and sloping, try a t-back or leotard-back bra, which bring the straps closer together in the back and help prevent strap slippage.

One breast bigger than the other

Breasts are usually asymmetrical, meaning that a woman’s left breast may be a different size or shape than her right breast. This is therefore one of the more common complaints that women have about their bras is that one breast is bigger but there are a few ideas you can use to deal with this.

When trying on bras, always fit the larger breast first. If you notice the cup of the smaller breast is wrinkling, try adjusting the bra’s back on the smaller side to compensate for your smaller breast.

You might like to try a fiber-filled lined bra that fits your larger side. The fabric helps compress the larger breast whilst you can pad the smaller side.

You could try a bra with removable padding. Simply take the padding out of the cup that holds the larger breast. Or similarly you could use one of those ‘chicken fillet’ external implants.

Push-up bras can work well because they often come with an easily removable padded section that sits under the breast.

Moving the strap adjusters on your bra to different lengths might help and another idea is to have a bra custom made for you.

If you have naturally sloping shoulders, this could contribute to slipping straps consequently allow more sag. If your shoulders are rounded and sloping, try a t-back or leotard-back bra, which bring the straps closer together in the back and help prevent strap slippage.

Increased bra band size but bra still too tight

Many women increase band size instead of the cup size. E.g. you might try on a 32B and it feels too tight.

The mistake is often moving to a 34B instead of a 32C. Don’t increase the band size unless you are unable to get two fingers under the band of your bra. Remember, if your band size increases, it’s usual that your cup size increases too.

Bra straps are falling off

If your bras straps are falling, you could first try tightening the straps or a bra with wider straps. If that doesn’t work, your breasts might not be filling out the tops of the cups, so try going down a cup size.

Also, look for designs where the straps are located in the middle of the cup, not at the edges. You could try a racer-back style and posture bras are also an excellent alternative. Bras with partial rear elastic on the straps will place constant light tension on the strap that helps prevent slippage.

Bra Back Bulge

A common problem is having pockets of flesh bulging out from under and above a woman’s bra band, which is commonly known as bra back bulge. If this happens, first make sure that your band size is correct and that it is positioned level around the narrow part of your back.

If you’re wearing the proper bra, this will minimize the appearance of a fleshy back. You might also want to look for a bra with sew-free edges or elastic encased in fabric. Also try to avoid bras with elastic that sits directly on the skin as the bands can dig into fleshy parts and create back bulge.

You’ll find that wearing your bra band lower on your back helps reduce bulging. When a bra band rides up, it actually helps create these unsightly bra back bulges by pushing fat into bulges.

Bra Bulges over or under the band

This can happen around the bra back or on the sides. If so, your bra band might be tighter than it should be.

Try moving up to the next bra size but remember that the cup size is proportionate to the band, so getting a larger band may mean you need a smaller cup size.

Since the cup size is related to the band size, and not the other way around, fit the band first and then move around bra cup sizes until you find the right fit.

Lumps above bra cup create double breast

When a woman is still growing, her bras can quickly become too small and she spills out. Don’t try squeezing into bras that have become too small.

Some women try to get a low-cut look by wearing smaller cups than they actually should. Your bra cups, even on low-cut demi styles, should still be able to contain enough so that nothing spills over.

If you spend a lot of time trying to “fit” your breasts into your bra, it might be time to go the other way and try to fit the right bra around your breasts.

You could also get bras that are designed for plunge styles or cleavage. These bras have a looser top cut so they align with the fuller part of your breasts, rather than cut into them.

Breasts falling out or being pinched by your bra

If your breasts are falling out or being pinched by your bra, you might need larger cups. The cups should fully contain, and the under wire and centre should fit snug against your body.

Here’s something to keep in mind if you get larger cups – if the whole bra fits around you nicely, meaning it isn’t too loose or too tight in the back, you may need to get a smaller band with those larger cups, or a larger band with those smaller ones, to retain the overall circumference and fit.

Having bra problems when very active

Women of all sizes struggle to be comfortable while walking, jogging or doing aerobics, etc. Whether the problem is support, chafing, or slipping straps, using the right bra is the key to the solution.

Sports bras are designed to address many of these problems and the comprehensive sports bra section later in the book is an informative read on the subject. In the meantime, let’s look at some of the common problems caused when exercising.

Straps slip off shoulders when in motion

If you’re having slipping strap problems, you might want to try a T-back or a racer-back design that will keep the straps from slipping off the shoulders.

Wider straps can also help distribute the weight, resulting in less digging-in.

Bra hooks come undone when in motion

Bra hooks coming undone are such a terrible inconvenience.

The safest way to avoid the problem altogether is to try a racer-back bra without hooks!

The bra tag rubs against body

Some bra manufacturers now recognize this problem particularly amongst those taking part in physical activity and are placing the tags on the outside of the bra.

As an alternative to cutting off the bra tag, consider opting for a bra with a tag on the outside. Perhaps this will encourage more manufacturers to take this common sense approach.

Bra gets very wet from sweat

All-cotton bras soak up sweat and many sports bras designed for aerobic workouts are often mostly cotton.

Make sure you look for a sports bra with a wicking fabric such as CoolMax or polypropylene.

Suffering from friction burn to nipples

Friction burn caused by rubbing on the nipple when running can be prevented by wearing the correct sports bra.

If additional protection is needed, skin protection gel or zinc oxide tape can be placed on the nipples before running.

Suffering from chaffing when very active

Where there is both sweat and motion, there is chaffing. A sports bra can prevent chafing by reducing the rubbing.

Some sports bras achieve this through a combination of using wicking fabric and placing the seams on the outside of the bra.

Fitted sports bra still causes problems

Just because you wear a sports bra doesn’t mean you are adequately equipped for vigorous activity.

You can still experience soreness of the breast, neck or shoulder when you’re wearing a sports bra. It’s quite possible that you bought a sports bra for a low impact activity such as walking and now you’re using it for running. Unfortunately, you would need a high impact bra for running. Refer to the section on sports bras for more information about this.