How Should A Bra Fit?

Can’t wait to take off your bra at the end of the day? If you’re continually adjusting your bra or simply feel uncomfortable throughout the day, you may need to try a different bra size or a different bra style. SKIMS is here to help you find your correct bra size and the perfect style for you.

Discovering the right-sized bra for your body will make you feel comfortable throughout the day, support your frame, and give you the exact look you want. Find out how your bra should fit and how to measure yourself properly to get the right size for you.

Signs your bra doesn’t fit

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, your bra may not be the right fit for you:

• Your shoulder straps continually fall down throughout the day
• Underwire is digging or poking into you
• When you remove your bra, you have bra lines on your skin
• You have gaps in the cups of your bra
• You have spillage over the cups of your bra
• You’re uncomfortable or can’t wait to take off your bra

How to Address Problems with Bra Fit

Sliding shoulder straps

If your shoulder straps keep falling, the easiest fix is to adjust them tighter. As you wear your bra, there may be some stretching of the material over time, which means you might need to adjust the shoulder straps to accommodate.

If your straps are already as short as they can go, try tightening the bra band by one set of hooks. Sometimes a band that is too loose can cause straps to fall. Another solution is to try a bra with convertible cross-back straps, like our Weightless Demi Bra, or the Longline bra, which has a pullover style and soft, smoothing straps.

Poking underwire

Nothing’s more uncomfortable than underwire that pokes you or digs into your side. But you don’t have to live with it! If you’re getting poked by your underwire, your band size may be too small or your cup size may be too small (or both). Re-measure yourself to get a fresh start with a new size.

The good news is that SKIMS has bra solutions to handle this problem—we use a flexible underwire and also carry wireless bras so that you can go about your day in comfort.

A more comfortable underwire

SKIMS offers select underwire styles from cups A-H, and flexible underwire allows for comfortable support, even when you fall in between sizes. We recommend trying the Fits Everybody T-shirt Bra, a super comfortable bra thanks to its next-level stretchiness!

Wireless bra options

If you’re looking for bra solutions without the underwire, SKIMS has several wireless bras that offer support and even push-up pads without any underwire. For example, take a look at our Wireless Push-Up Plunge Bra, a flattering plunge style with cloud-like push-up foam pads.

Your bra leaves an impression

And not always in a good way. If you get those telltale marks on your skin after wearing a bra all day, it’s simply too tight. Pay attention to where the marks are. If they’re across your back or under your arms, you probably need a larger band size. Re-measure yourself using the Bra Calculator steps below to make sure you’re getting the right size.

If you get marks on your shoulders where your straps hit, the straps are too tight or the bra style is not right for you. Take a look at our Bra Guide to see the full line of SKIMS bra silhouettes and bra lining options. SKIMS bras are designed to lift, shape, and support, and there are many styles to choose from.

Mind the gaps

If the cups of your bra have gaps at the top, it often shows through your shirt and indicates a bit too much wiggle room. There are a few solutions you can try.

First, adjust your straps to be a tad tighter. Lean forward and make sure that your entire breast is sitting fully in the cup and that your underwire is positioned correctly. If there’s still room in each cup, you may want to try a smaller cup size. Your cup size can change over time, especially if you’ve had pregnancies, breastfed a baby, or have gone through weight changes.

Try different bra styles as well, as different styles also may work better for your bust. Bras with very light or no padding may sit better on your breasts, and styles like our Scoop Bras are cut with a flattering scoop neckline which means less material to produce the gap. Another comfortable yet ultra-flattering silhouette is the Unlined Demi Bra, which may sit better on your decolletage.

Spilling over

If the opposite problem happens and your breast tissue is spilling over your cups, you either need a larger cup size, a larger band, or a bra style with more coverage.

While lifting push-up bra styles are meant to create volume and cleavage, you should still be fully contained. Re-measure yourself to see if your band or cups could use an upgrade.

Try our super comfortable (and cute) T-shirt bras (also in cotton jersey) for a versatile style that offers a bit more coverage. If you’re looking for a braless look under clothing, we have a solution for that, too. Try the No-Show Molded Demi Bra or the No Show Balconette Bra, both sit flush against your skin for a clean look.

Your bra doesn’t stay put

Finally, you want your bra to lay perfectly flat against your body.

If the small section between your breasts (called the “gore”) pops away from your torso, try a larger cup size. If that doesn’t do the trick, try a different style that sits differently between the breasts, like the Naked Scoop Bra, with its smoothing, buttery-soft band.

Now, if the underwire or the band that sits directly under your breasts lifts away from your body, there are two tricks to try. Start by loosening your shoulder straps so the bottom of the bra isn’t competing with the pull of the straps. If that doesn’t work, try re-measuring yourself; your band is likely too tight,

How to know when your bra fits perfectly

Your bra fits just right when:

• You feel comfortable and supported all day!
• From front to back, the bra band is at the same level, not riding up.
• Your cups make contact with your breast tissue—no gaps and no overflow
• Your shoulder straps have a nice tension to them—supporting you fully, but not digging into your shoulders.
• There’s no poking or pain from underwires or straps.
• You’re getting the lifting, shaping, and support you want.

How to measure yourself for your perfect bra size

FINDING YOUR UNDERBAND MEASUREMENT

Find your most accurate measurement by wearing a wired, non-padded bra. Snugly place the measuring tape around your back and directly under your bust, where the band of your bra sits. Make sure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor. If someone else is measuring you, keep your arms by your side. Exhale, pull the measuring tape snug and record your measurement.

FINDING YOUR BUST MEASUREMENT

With your elbows down, place measuring tape across your back at band level, under each arm, and around the fullest part of your bust. Make sure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor. If someone else is measuring you, keep your arms by your side. Lightly pull the tape, breathe in and out, and record your measurement.

Now using your band and bust measurements, find your size using the SKIMS bra size calculator.