Why Does My Bra Cup Gap? Does It Mean It’s The Wrong Size?

If you’ve noticed some gaps or wrinkles in your bra cups, or if the center of your bra doesn’t lie flat against your chest, don’t worry, it’s not just you. Bra cup gaps are more common than you think. The good news is that the solution is quite simple.

There are a few different ways to solve the problem once you understand why it’s happening in the first place. If you’re dealing with unsightly and uncomfortable gaps in your bra cups, read on to learn the possible causes and what you can do to prevent it in the future.

What causes a gaping bra?

Gaps in your bra cups can be caused by one or more of the following reasons:

• You’ve recently lost weight and you’ve lost volume in your breasts.
• Your bra's cup size is too big.
• You’re wearing the wrong style cup for your breast type.
• Your straps have stretched out and need to be adjusted.

How do you fix a bra cup gap?

Now that we know what causes the gaps, here are the simple steps you can take to fix it:

1. Tighten your straps. If your cups are gaping around the top try to tighten the straps a bit. Your bra straps will start to stretch out as the elastic gets worn. This will happen faster if you’re machine washing or drying your bras. Don’t tighten them too much — you don’t want your straps digging into your shoulders (ouch!). If you’ve tightened them and there’s still a gap, then the straps aren’t the issue.
2. Check your fit. That’s right, it’s time to measure your bra size again! Doing so is especially important to do if your weight has changed or if it’s been a while since the last time you measured. Even if you haven’t gained or lost weight, your breasts will start to lose volume over time at the top of the breast because of aging and gravity. Try going down a cup size and see if that takes care of the problem.
3. Reassess your style. If your cup size is correct but you still notice gaps or puckering you may need to experiment with different bra types. Certain breast shapes such as bell shaped, teardrop, slender, pendulous, east-west and asymmetric have less volume at the top of the breast. Because most of the weight rests at the bottom of the cup there’s room for gaping. If this sounds like you, try a demi, push-up, or balconette style bra. Plunge style bras may also be a good choice as the cups are angled helping to eliminate gaps. If your breasts are noticeably uneven it may help to put an insert into the side that’s smaller. Another great option would be to find a style that has cups that stretch either all over or at the top of the cup. Remember, your breasts should fill out the entire cup without any gaping or spillage.
4. Check your band. Make sure that your bra band is not riding up in the back. It should be parallel to the ground and even with the front of your bra. If your bra band is riding up in the back or rolling at all, you probably need a different band size.
5. Try putting your bra on in a different way. After securing your bra, take time to lift each breast into each individual cup. Make sure that the tissue fills the cup and that the nipples are positioned in the center.
6. Out with the old and in with the new! If you haven’t lost weight, are wearing the right style for your breast type and are wearing the right size, it may be just that your bra is too old. Just like how the bra band and straps stretch out over time, the cups may have stretched. Take this opportunity to get yourself a new bra and ditch the gaping cups!

What about the center gore?

The center gore is the part of the bra that is between the cups. In a bra that fits well, the center gore lies flat against your breastbone. Wearing the wrong bra size could cause the center gore of your bra to not lie flat against your body. If there is a gap it could mean that your cups are too small and your breast tissue isn’t fitting into the cups properly.

If your breasts are very close together look for bras that have a narrow center gore or a very low gore, like a plunge bra.

How should a bra cup fit?

Ideally, a bra cup will hold all of your breast tissue without any gaping or spillage on the top or on the sides. The top of the cup should conform to your breast.

The general rule of thumb is if you’re spilling out it’s too small, and if you’re experiencing gaps it’s too big. Wearing the correct cup size is crucial to avoiding gaping or spillage.

Are there any consequences to wearing a bra with a gap?

Wearing a bra with gaping cups can not only be uncomfortable but it can also cause you some other issues and pain down the line. Here are a few issue that can come about from wearing the wrong cup size:

1. Breast Pain. If your cup size is too big and has caused some gaping, your bra likely isn’t proving the support you need. This can cause your breasts to move around uncomfortably which can lead to breast pain or tenderness — neither of which is comfortable.
2. Back Pain. One of the telltale signs of lacking bra support is experiencing back pain. If your bra isn’t properly fitted, you won’t have enough support. This is especially an issue for women with larger breasts, though anyone can suffer from back aches or pain due to an improperly fitted bra.
3. Premature Sagging. If your cups are gaping then your bra likely isn’t giving you enough lift and your breasts are probably moving around much more than they should be. This can result in added strain on your breast tissue which can lead to premature sagging.

Best bra styles to eliminate gaps

Once you know why your bra cups are gaping it’s time to find a style or size that will suit you better. Here are a few of our top picks of bras that help eliminate gaping cups:

1. The Front-Closure T-Back WonderWire Bra features plunge style cups that are angled to help eliminate gaping in some breast types. It also has a low and narrow center gore, great for close-set breasts. The secure front closure makes it easy to put on and take off, and the lace details add a stylish and feminine touch.
2. The MagicLift Seamless Support T-Shirt Bra is a comfortable choice for everyday wear, even under form-fitting clothing. This wireless bra features padded straps that are perfect for helping to support heavy breasts without digging into your shoulder. The full-coverage cups fully encapsulate the breast tissue and are seamless for a smooth fit. Plus, the moisture-wicking fabric keeps you comfortably cool and dry throughout the day.
3. The MagicLift Original Support Bra is a great option for those who prefer to go wire-free. The MagicLift design provides lift and support without a wire, and the contoured cups add full coverage. This wireless bra is one of our best-selling wireless styles and comfortably supports sizes up to 56J.
4. The WonderWire Front-Closure Stretch Lace Bra has beautiful lace cups that stretch to give you a perfect fit without any gaps. The snap front closure is easy to get on and prevents you from having to reach behind you to fasten your bra. The underwires are cushioned for added comfort while providing all the support that you need.

Concluding Thoughts

You deserve a bra that fits like it was made for you. If your bra cups are gaping, the first step is to figure out why and then find a size or style that solves those issues for you.

If you need to measure your bra size but don’t know where or how to start, check out our easy Bra Size Calculator. All you need to do is take two quick measurements and our calculator will do the rest.