Does Your Bra Actually Fit? 5 Easy Ways To Tell
FIVE WAYS to know if
YOUR BRA FITS PROPERLY
Wearing the wrong bra size is more common than you think… nearly 80% of people are in the wrong size without even realizing it! A well-fitting bra should feel supportive, comfortable, and secure without digging in, gaping, or constantly needing adjustments. But how can you tell if your bra is actually the right fit? Here are five easy ways to check:
1: The Band stays put
The band is the foundation of your bra and provides most of the support. It should fit snugly around your ribcage on the loosest hook when new, sitting level all the way around.
Too loose? If it’s riding up your back or you can easily pull it more than a couple of inches away from your body, size down.
Too tight? If it’s digging in or feels restrictive, size up.
Your band should be parallel to the floor and stay in place without shifting throughout the day.
2: no spillage or gaping in the cups
Your breast tissue should be fully contained within the cups, with no overflow or empty space.
Spilling out at the top or sides? Your cups are too small, size up.
Gaping or wrinkling? Your cups are too big, size down or try a different style.
Adjust your breast tissue into the cups after putting on your bra (the swoop and scoop method) to make sure everything is positioned correctly.
3: the center gore lies flat
The center panel between the cups (the gore) should sit flush against your chest.
Floating away? Your cup size is likely too small, or the bra style isn’t right for your shape.
Digging in? It could mean the cup size is too big or the underwire is too rigid for your breast shape.
If you have fuller or close-set breasts, a plunge-style bra (like this one or this one) might fit better than a full-coverage (high wire/gore) option.
4: your Straps Stay in Place Without digging in
Straps should rest comfortably on your shoulders without slipping or digging in.
Falling off? Tighten them or try a bra with a different strap placement (commonly known as a ballet back style).
Digging in? Your band might be too loose, making your straps do all the work.
Straps are there to support, NOT lift… your band should be doing most of the heavy lifting.
5: You Feel Comfortable & Supported
A good bra should feel secure and comfortable. If you’re constantly adjusting, fidgeting, or counting down the hours until you can take it off, something isn’t right. You shouldn’t be thinking about your undergarments during the day!
Bra fitting is an art, not an exact science. Two people with the same measurements might need completely different styles to get the right fit. Taking the time to find a bra that actually works for your body is always worth it.
If your bra isn’t passing these five checks, it’s time to explore a new size or style. The right bra can make all the difference in comfort, support, and confidence… and once you find the right one, you’ll never want to go back.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
STRAPLESS BRA | PANACHE T-SHIRT BRA | CHARLEY T-SHIRT BRA
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
NORAH WIRE FREE | NORAH UNDERWIRE | ELOMI STRAPLESS | PRIMA DONNA | ELOMI MATILDA | ALLURE PARISIAN
A properly fitting bra is truly life-changing—bringing comfort, confidence, and the support you deserve. If any of these signs feel familiar, it might be time to re-evaluate your size or try some new styles. Because when your bra fits, everything else just falls into place. See some of my favorite size-inclusive styles below.
You can click on the corresponding number below to shop and see more details!
How to care for your Bras
What you use to wash your undergarments (and how you wash it) also makes a big difference. Avoid any harsh chemicals that can damage the synthetic fibers (please avoid Woolite). Traditional detergents (All, Tide, etc.) are designed for spun fibers, like cotton. They get the gunk off of the fibers but not out of the pores. Look for a surfactant wash – this technology binds to the gunk in the pores and effectively cleans the fibers – think of it like a Biore pore strip for your delicates!
I wash my undergarments separately from all other clothing items, and I always hang dry them on this drying rack. If you don’t want to do a whole load of undergarments, you can use these laundry bags to throw them and keep them safe. NEVER put bras, shapewear, or swimwear in the dryer, as the heat melts elastic. Pro tip: these washes are best for anything with high Lycra contents (bras, panties, hosiery, swimsuits, and workout gear), but they will clean anything! My personal favorite is Forever New, also available in unscented, and this one is also great for shapewear and anything with a lot of elastic like athleisure wear and swimwear.
Cycling Out Your Bras?
Recycling your bras is a great way to put your gently used bras to good use! Use The Bra Recyclers to donate your undergarments to those less fortunate.
How to get fitted:
OPTION 1 | IN-STORE FITTING
I will 100% always advocate for you going to a local specialty shop (you can use a store locator here and here) or a Nordstrom (NOT Nordstrom Rack) for a proper fitting. The fitters should have professional training experience and product knowledge to help you determine what is the best style for you. They should instruct you how to properly put the bra on (see: the scoop and swoop method) and help you determine which styles are right for you in a no pressure to buy environment. In the rare (but possible) situation that your bra fitter isn’t very knowledgeable or helpful, I encourage you to try another location or fitter. Whatever you do, don’t give up.
Here is a video on why Soma, Victoria’s Secret, and Cacique are NOT fit-focused retailers approved for bra fittings and why I don’t feel comfortable recommending them to you.
OPTION 2 | VIRTUAL FITTING
You may be required to use a soft tape measure to provide a starting point for the virtual fitting. You may set up a video call to chat with the fitter on to determine your current fit as well as your wants/needs in a bra. From there, they may make recommendations on what styles and sizes to try. This may require some trial and error to purchase/return a few styles to try out. If so, be sure to refer to the scoop-and-swoop method when trying on bras at home. If you’ve had a virtual fitting, I’d love to hear your experience (good or bad) in the comments below.
SCHEDULE A VIRTUAL FITTING: BRAVISSIMO | NORDSTROM | WACOAL | LOCAL SPECIALTY SHOPS (each store may vary, refer to the store finders here and here to call and determine their abilities)
Thanks for reading!
Finding the right bra is just the first step… taking care of it ensures it stays supportive and comfortable for the long haul. When you invest in bras that fit well and treat them with care, they’ll work with you instead of against you.
At the end of the day, a good bra should feel like a second skin… secure, comfortable, and effortless. If yours doesn’t, it might be time for a fit check or a fresh start. Because when your bra fits well and feels good, everything else just falls into place. If you are looking for more undergarment posts, be sure to check out more on undergarments on the blog here! Feel free to leave any questions or suggestions on future posts below.
xx CMK