Bra Fit Guide

    Fit solutions for bra malfunctions from squeezing to slipping and everything else you don't want your bra to do.

    Band Riding Up

    Band Riding Up

    If your brand doesn't sit just below your shoulder blades, try tightening the band or loosening the straps. If that doesn't help, you need a smaller band.

    Band Digging In

    Band Digging In

    If your band is digging into your ribs, chest or back, try loosening the band. If that doesn't fix it, you need to go up a band size or try a wider band.

    Straps Digging In

    Straps Digging In

    If your straps are digging in, try loosening them or switching to a bra with padded straps. If that doesn't help, your band — which should be doing most of the support work — is too big and it's time to downsize.

    Slipping Straps

    Slipping Straps

    If your straps are sliding around or off the shoulders, they might be stretched out (which happens over time). Or you might be in the wrong cup size causing the straps to sit too wide and slip more easily.

    Bulging Sides

    Bulging Sides

    If you're squeezing out the sides, your band is too small and confining your bust. Go up a band size or try a bra with more cup coverage.

    Overflowing Cups

    Overflowing Cups

    If you're spilling out the side, top or bottom of your cups, it's time to trade up. Bigger cups will help keep your bust securely (and comfortably) contained.

    Gapping Cups

    Gapping Cups

    If your cups are gapping a lot or a little, try a smaller cup size so they sit flush with your skin. Our bra size calculator can help you find the right cup size.

    Dropping Bustline

    Dropping Bustline

    If your bustline is pulling down, shorten your straps (but not so much they dig) and check your cups (there shouldn't be any gap if they're the right size). If you want even more lift, look to non-stretchy bras with firmer support and rigid straps.

    Poking Underwires

    Poking Underwires

    If your wire pokes, you might be in the wrong cup size. Too small can make the underwire too tight while too big can cause the wire to move around. Both lead to uncomfortable poking or prodding. Not sure what cup size you should be in? Try our bra size calculator.

    Look For the Signs

    If you've ever worn an ill-fitting bra, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Not only does improper fit cause discomfort, but it can also keep you from looking your best.

    For the past 100 years we’ve made it our mission to help women find the perfect fitting bra tailored to suit their shape. We encourage women to take advantage of our no questions asked - free shipping, free returns, free exchanges policy. Order multiple sizes to find what works best. Try them on in the comfort of your home and send back whatever doesn’t feel quite right. It’s free--we pay postage.

    • Not sure your bra is fitting the way it should? If you’ve ever experienced any of the following it’s a safe bet that you can find a better fit:

      • Your band leaves painful red marks
      • Your underwire pokes you in the chest or under your arms
      • Your bra cups have large gaps at the top or they have wrinkles
      • Your breast tissue spills out over the top of your cups
      • Your band rides up in the back
      • Your straps constantly fall off of your shoulders
      • Your bra hikes up when you raise your arms
      • Your straps dig into your shoulders
    • If you’ve never measured yourself for a bra before, don’t worry it’s easier than you think! All you need is a flexible tape measure. You can normally find them with the sewing supplies at craft stores or online. Next, put on an unpadded bra and follow these steps:
    • Wrap the tape measure around your chest under your arms just above your bust. Make sure that it’s snug but not tight. Round this number to the nearest whole number to get your band size (so 39 becomes a 40 band size).

      chart to find the perfect bra size and fit
    • Wrap the tape measure around yourself again but this time go across the fullest part of your bust. If you plug your band and bust measurements into the bra size calculator it will calculate your size. Or calculate your cup size by subtracting your band measurement from your bust measurement.

      The difference is your cup size:

      • 1 = A
      • 2 = B
      • 3 = C
      • 4 = D
      • 5 = DD
      • 6 = DDD, or F
      • 7 = G
      • 8 = H
      • 9 = I
      • 10 = J
      • 11 = K
      • 12 = L
    • Sure, but if you want your bra to fit like it was made for you and be as comfortable as possible, the best thing to do is calculate your bra size by measuring yourself.

      Enter your measurements into the bra size calculator to find the size that’s right for you. Knowing your bra size will make bra shopping a much more pleasant experience.

      Knowing how to measure yourself will also help you adjust to changes in your breasts. Gaining or losing weight, pregnancy, and aging can all cause your breasts to change size and/or shape.

    • Once you get your new bra you’ll need to make some adjustments so that it fits as perfectly as possible. When you put your bra on fasten the hooks in the back on the last set of hooks. Make sure that the band is level all around. You should be able to slip a finger underneath, but no more and no less.

      As for the cups, try the bend and scoop. After you fasten the band bend over slightly and with one hand scoop and center your breast tissue into each cup.

      Next, adjust the straps. Depending on where they adjust you may need to take your bra off if you can’t reach the back of the straps. Like the band, you should be able to slip a finger underneath the straps, but no more than two.

      After everything feels secure, take a look at how it fits. Is the band causing bulges? Are your breasts spilling out of the cups? Raise your arms and make sure that everything stays in place. If anything is off you need to re-evaluate your size or possibly the style of the bra.

      Every woman is different, and everyone has her own sense of what feels right. The calculator is only a starting point--you may choose a different size that works better for you. That’s why we encourage you to use our free return and exchange policy until you find your perfect fit.