Am I Wearing the Wrong Bra Size?
Wearing the wrong bra size can lead to a range of issues, from minor aesthetic blips to significant physical discomfort. Recognizing the signs of an improper fit is the first step toward finding a bra that supports you.
Here, we’ll explore the issues that can arise from wearing the wrong size, along with signs that indicate you may need a bra fitting.
What Happens If I Wear the Wrong Bra Size?
Aesthetic Issues
Aesthetic issues from wearing the wrong bra size include:
- Visible overflow and gapping: When the cups press down on you and create the dreaded “quad boob,” or when the cups gap, it could create wrinkles in your tops.
- Visible center gore: If the center gore (where the underwire meets in the middle) is floating away from your body, you could sometimes see it poking through your clothes.
Minor Annoyances
In addition to aesthetic blips, you may experience minor annoyances that indicate your bra isn’t fitting correctly:
- Constant adjustment: If you find yourself frequently adjusting your bra throughout the day—whether it’s pulling up falling shoulder straps or pulling down a shifting band—it’s a clear sign that your bra isn’t doing its job.
Constant adjustment: If you find yourself frequently adjusting your bra throughout the day—whether it’s pulling up falling shoulder straps or pulling down a shifting band—it’s a clear sign that your bra isn’t doing its job.
Physical Pain
The most concerning issues have to do with physical discomfort. Wearing the wrong bra size can lead to:
- Back, shoulder, and neck pain: Inadequate support, especially for those with heavier breasts, can cause strain on your back, shoulders, and neck, leading to persistent pain.
Your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants, a hot bath, or massages, but these measures only alleviate the symptoms, without addressing the root of the issues – lack of support.
- Skin irritation: Skin-on-skin rubbing can lead to irritation. This could happen in your cleavage, or where your underboob touches your torso.
Signs You Are Definitely Wearing the Wrong Bra Size
Here are a few telltale signs that you definitely need to resize.
1. Band rides up in the back: If your bra “seesaws” (weighed down in the front, riding up in the back), it’s a clear indicator that your band size is incorrect.
The band is the foundation of the bra, which means if your band size is incorrect, the cup size most likely needs major adjustment as well. When we see a seesawing band, most of the time the correct size is at least one band, and at least two cup sizes away.
1. Band rides up in the back: If your bra “seesaws” (weighed down in the front, riding up in the back), it’s a clear indicator that your band size is incorrect.
The band is the foundation of the bra, which means if your band size is incorrect, the cup size most likely needs major adjustment as well.
When we see a seesawing band, most of the time the correct size is at least one band, and at least two cup sizes away.
2. Underboob visible when lifting your arms: If you see underboob when you lift your arms, this is another sign that your band size is incorrect.
2. Underboob visible when lifting your arms: If you see underboob when you lift your arms, this is another sign that your band size is incorrect.
Signs You Are Maybe Wearing the Wrong Bra Size
The following fit issues could be from the wrong size, but could also happen in the right size, but the wrong shape.
If you are not sure if it’s the size or shape, use our bra size calculator and try on some neighboring sizes in the same bra (3-4 sizes are enough). If the fit issue happens in all the sizes, it’s the shape that’s the cause.
1. Cup overflow: If your breasts spill over the top or sides of the cups, the cup size may be to blame. It could also be from wearing a molded foam cup bra, which tends to be inflexible and unforgiving.
1. Cup overflow: If your breasts spill over the top or sides of the cups, the cup size may be to blame. It could also be from wearing a molded foam cup bra, which tends to be inflexible and unforgiving.
2. Gapping or wrinkling in the cups: Excess fabric in the cups may indicate that the cup size is too large, or the cups are too deep for your shape.
2. Gapping or wrinkling in the cups: Excess fabric in the cups may indicate that the cup size is too large, or the cups are too deep for your shape.
3. Straps digging in: If the straps dig into your shoulders, the band might be too loose.
3. Straps digging in: If the straps dig into your shoulders, the band might be too loose.
4. Underwire poking: Underwire exists to support, not to poke or chafe.
4. Underwire poking: Underwire exists to support, not to poke or chafe.
5. Center gore floats: If the center gore isn’t lying flat against your sternum, the cup size could be too small, or the cups are too shallow for your shape.
5. Center gore floats: If the center gore isn’t lying flat against your sternum, the cup size could be too small, or the cups are too shallow for your shape.
Common Mis-sizes
In our experience, D, DD, and DDD are common mis-sizes, because they are the upper limit of many brick-and-mortar bra stores. When your true size is not available, the most likely outcome is you will walk out with a bra that’s technically big enough to cover you, but the band and the rest of the bra will be too loose to provide any real support.
Many of our customers walk in wearing a 34DD and walk out wearing a 30G, or walk in wearing a 44DD and walk out wearing a 40G.
Many of our customers walk in wearing a 34DD and walk out wearing a 30G, or walk in wearing a 44DD and walk out wearing a 40G.
Although, mis-sizes can happen in any size range.
Here is a video showing you a fit transformation when you switch to the right size:
Rebecca (left) and Christina (right) both wear Zoe in 36DD but have slightly different breast shapes.
Rebecca (above) and Christina (below) both wear Zoe in 36DD but have slightly different breast shapes.
Wearing a comfortable bra could be the difference between a good day and a bad day.
Comfort starts with the right fit, which starts with the right bra size. If you notice any of the signs discussed above, do a fitting (either virtually or in-person) and try on different sizes and styles to find the perfect match for your body.
The right bra should feel like a second skin, providing the support you need without any discomfort.