Is Your Bra Cup Too Big? Here’s How to Tell the Signs and What to Do

Our bodies don’t stay one size forever. As your body changes, so do your breasts.

How do you know if your bra cup is too big? More than 70% of women are walking around wearing a bra that doesn’t fit them. Are you one of them?

Here are the signs that you’re wearing the wrong size bra cup and how your bra should fit.

• You’re bouncing more than usual. Your bra should keep you secure and minimize bounce. While an everyday bra won’t minimize movement as much as a sports bra will, it shouldn’t feel like you’re not wearing anything. When your bra cup is too big you may find that your breasts bounce around inside the cup. This may be more noticeable in molded cups than in unlined cups. If the band still stays in the same position, this means that your cups are too big.

• There’s a gap at the top of the cups. This one is fairly simple to recognize. When you look down at your bra do you notice space between your breasts and the cup? If so, it’s too big. If you aren’t able to see any gaps while standing up, try leaning over while looking into a mirror. If there is extra space in your cups it’s time for a new size. Your bra cup should enclose your breasts completely. There shouldn’t be any space.

• The cups wrinkle. If you wear a bra that is unlined and the cups are too big you may notice that the fabric wrinkles up. If you normally wear a lined or padded bra you may notice that there is wrinkling in the pads after you take it off. Like we said, your breasts should fill the cup completely; there shouldn’t be any room for wrinkles.

• You have to constantly readjust. You shouldn’t need to fidget with your bra as the day goes on. Are you familiar with scoop and set? When you’re putting on your bra you should scoop your breast tissue up and set it in so that the nipple is centered in the cup. If you find yourself needing to scoop and set throughout the day it’s a sign that your cups are too big.

• You don’t feel supported. Especially for breast types like teardrop or pendulous that aren’t naturally lifted, if you find your breasts “slipping” by the end of the day it means that your cups aren’t keeping your breasts in place and are likely too big.

• You’re constantly tightening your bra. This can be because the band is too big, the cups are too big, or the straps need to be tightened. If the band feels tight but you’re not getting support, try tightening the straps. If you’re still not supported it means that your cups are too big. The best way to figure things out once and for all is to get fitted.

How do you know if your bra fits you?

Now that we’ve gone over ways to tell if your cups don’t fit, how do you know when it’s a proper fit?

• There shouldn’t be any overflow. When your bra fits properly there your breast should not be spilling out of the cups. Depending on your breast type it may just be the style causing the problem. For example, round breasts are very full at the top and a style like a push-up may cause them to spill out but a style like a demi may fit just right. It’s important to know what type of breasts you have. This way you can find the styles that best compliment them. This will make it easier to find bras that fit perfectly.

• Your underwire shouldn't be resting on top of your breast tissue. This includes the sides of your breast as well. When you put your bra on, lift up your arms and make sure that there’s no “underboob” showing. If your bra pops up at the front it means that either your band is too small, your cups are too small or both.

• Your band shouldn’t be unbearably tight. While it’s important that your band is tight enough it shouldn't be so tight that it becomes painful. It shouldn't leave any long-lasting red marks or restrict your rib movement in any way. You should be able to slip two fingers underneath. If you can fit more than two, it’s a sign that your band is too big. Remember, your band does most of the work when it comes to supporting your breasts. If it’s too big your straps try to pick up the slack. This causes other problems.

• The straps should be just right. When your straps are too tight they dig into your shoulders and can cause permanent damage over time. You shouldn’t rely on your straps to do all of the lifting, it’s the band’s main job.

When your bra fits properly it should keep your breasts in place. Your bra should feel comfortable and give you support. The right bra shouldn’t be something that you dread putting on. It should make you feel confident.

There’s absolutely no need to deal with bras that are too tight, dig in, or slip off of your shoulders! If you need help finding your perfect fit take a look at our Bra Fit Guide.

You’ll learn how to measure yourself and can use our Bra Size Calculator to get the size that’s best for you. We’re here to help you on your journey to finding the perfect bra.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should a bra cup fit?

Your breasts should sit comfortably in each cup without gapping or overflow. If there is cup gapping even after you've tightened the straps, you likely need a smaller cup size. If you have overflow on the top or the sides, you likely need a bigger cup size for more cup volume.

Is there an easy fix for a bra cup that is too big?

If you are looking for an easy fix for bra cups that are too big, try tightening the shoulder straps and tighten the hook-and-eye closure on your bra band. This will help tighten the cups against your breast tissue. If your bra has stretched out and the cups are too big, tightening the band or bra straps will only be a temporary fix, and you will need to invest in a new bra. A worn, stretched-out bra will not provide the support you need - only a properly fitting bra can do that.

Is there an easy way to tell if your bra is too large?

There are a few signs you can look for to tell if your bra size is too large. Here are some of the signs to look for:

• Cups gapping

• Bra band riding up in the back

• Straps sliding off your shoulders

Is there an easy way to tell if your bra is too small?

Here are some ways to tell if your bra is too small:

• Breast tissue spilling over the tops or sides of the cups

• Straps digging into your shoulders

• Underwires are poking or pinching you

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