Five signs your bra does not fit, and what to try instead

A bra that fits should be easy to forget about. If you are adjusting it all day, something is off. Most fit problems come from a small number of causes, and each one has a fix you can try at home before you buy anything new.

Put the bra on the way you normally would: lean forward, let your breasts settle into the cups, then stand up and fasten it. Then check these five things.

1. The band rides up your back

The band should sit level, or very slightly lower at the back than at the front. If it creeps up towards your shoulder blades, it is usually too loose. The band does most of the supporting, so a loose band pushes the work onto the straps.

Try one band size down. Because a smaller band has a smaller cup volume, also go up one cup letter. Our article on sister sizes explains why.

2. The straps dig in or keep slipping

Digging straps often mean the straps are carrying weight the band should carry. Slipping straps can mean they are set too loose, or that they are too wide apart for your shoulders. Tighten the straps a little, and if the band still lifts when you release them, the band is the problem.

3. The cups gape or spill

• Spilling over the top or sides usually means the cup is too small. Try one cup size up.
• Gaping or wrinkling at the top of the cup usually means the cup is too big, or the shape does not match yours. Try one cup size down, or a different style.
• A cup that looks smooth on one side and empty on the other is very common. Most people are slightly asymmetric, so fit the larger side.

4. The underwire sits in the wrong place

The wire should follow the crease under your breast and lie flat against your ribcage. The centre panel between the cups, called the gore, should touch your breastbone.

• Wire resting on breast tissue, or the gore floating away from your chest: the cups are often too small.
• Wire poking your armpit: the cup may be too narrow, or the band too loose.

5. You are already on the tightest hook

Elastic relaxes with wear and washing. A new bra should fit comfortably on the loosest hook so that you can move in as it relaxes. If a new bra only fits on the tightest hook, it is probably a size too big in the band.

A two-minute check

1. Raise both arms above your head. The band should stay where it is.
2. You should be able to slide two fingers under the band, but not much more.
3. Bend forward and stand up. Nothing should pop out or shift.

Still not sure? Measure yourself with our size guide, then compare the result with what you are wearing. It is a starting point, and different brands cut a little differently.