6 Tips for Bra Shopping When You Have Big Boobs
Anyone who had had to shop for DDD + bras can attest: If your cups runneth over, so to speak, it can be hard to find a style that fits your needs, whether that means having support, wanting to show off cleavage, or simply feeling comfortable . Many brands do not accommodate cup sizes in the E, F, G, and H range, and variety is lacking when it comes to fashion-forward styles. (Let's see some variety with lace, color, and design value, yes?) Rather than accept defeat, you deserve a good-no, great! -Bra that can meet all of your demands
You already know the importance of a professional fitting, of building a bra wardrobe of some key styles, and of being open to investing a little bit more in your underwear drawer to get what you need to get it out. But what about the little construction details in your bra that make all the difference, or recognizing the telltale signs of your band is overworn? Glamor got to the lingerie experts for more detailed advice on the help of big-breasted shoppers with their bra shopping endeavors. Check out what the experts-Margaret Quinn, marketing manager for Addition Elle; Ra'el Cohen, head of design at ThirdLove; Jessica Pfister, Vice President of Le Mystère; Lyn Lewis, CEO of Journelle; Dawn Kenney, national consultant manager for Wacoal; Helene Morris, designer of Lonely; and Willy Mrasek, creative director of the Felina Group-had to say.
Accept If you have big breasts, experts say it's usually because you're trying to squeeze in a bra that is too small or not enough to supportive. (Kenney and Lewis both say that the majority of busty shoppers buy a bra in too big of a band size and too small of a cup size.) Some of the signs: bra straps that are constantly falling, underwires that dig in your boob , cups that gape .... If any or all of those are all too familiar, Lewis suggests finding a "sister size" to the person who has already been wearing-you'll come across many guides to landing on that magic number online.
Really pay attention to the band Lewis notes that 80 percent of the support comes from the bust. It should fit evenly from front to back and not move or shift when you raise your arms, and should lie flat on your back without breaking it up (if it does, that means it's too big, since the weight of the breasts is pulling it up ). Wear your bra on the loosest hook, so when the band stretches out over time you can get more out of it. (Per Cohen, you'll know you're wearing the right band size when you can just slip the two fingers underneath the back of it.)
Know what a proper fit feels like The cups should always fit smoothly across the breasts without gaping, overflow, or digging into the tissue. (If there is any bulging, "the cup is too small or your straps are too tight," notes Pfister.) The gore-the piece of material between the two cups-should lie flat on your chest, hitting at the center chest bone , while the underwire should follow the perimeter of the breast tissue and rest on the rib cage. The straps should never slip (you should be able to fit only two fingers under it, says Pfister) or dig in your shoulders (they're not the ones, the all-that's what is the band is there for).
Swap out bras on a semiregular basis. Experts agree that, on average, you should buy a new bra every six months. Like your favorite shoes, they wear out and stretch out with frequent use, explains Pfister, adding that the clear signs a bra has run its course include slipping straps, a cup at the "double bubble", frayed edges, underwires underwires, and of course , not getting too much lift as you once did To get the most used out of your bra, you'll want to maintain a whole lingerie wardrobe: because fibers need enough time to rest and pull back after every wear to the function, it's recommended to alternate bras. (Cohen recommends having at least three in regular rotation.)
Think your breast shape When shopping for a new bra, Lewis says it's important to think about your bust, but also the shape of your breasts. If your boobs are teardrop-shaped, for instance, a demi or balconette style may offer you a good fit; If they are round, a plunge or triangular silhouette may feel more supportive, as it pulls the breast tissue in the sides If you have a full bust, unlined bras are typically the most comfortable as they "round out the shape of the breast and have a flattening effect," according to Lewis. Here's a helpful breakdown
Think about fabrics It's a myth that the heavy, industrial-feeling bras are the only supportive lingerie option when you have big boobs Brands are finally (end!) Experimenting with a range of fabrics, like lace and mesh, that do not sacrifice comfort or structure for big busts The secret is making sure that the bra, regardless of what it's made of, provides good wing support-in other words, that the fabric panels on the sides of the bra (the ones that connect the cups to the clasp in the back) are strong and well-designed Other design considerations to include: underwire or padded cups to add shape and definition; side boning to stabilize the band; interior slings to help with projection and natural shaping; and padded straps to manage the volume of a big cup and offer a comfortable lift.
Ahead, we lay out the expert's tips on a range of bra types for different wants and needs.
You already know the importance of a professional fitting, of building a bra wardrobe of some key styles, and of being open to investing a little bit more in your underwear drawer to get what you need to get it out. But what about the little construction details in your bra that make all the difference, or recognizing the telltale signs of your band is overworn? Glamor got to the lingerie experts for more detailed advice on the help of big-breasted shoppers with their bra shopping endeavors. Check out what the experts-Margaret Quinn, marketing manager for Addition Elle; Ra'el Cohen, head of design at ThirdLove; Jessica Pfister, Vice President of Le Mystère; Lyn Lewis, CEO of Journelle; Dawn Kenney, national consultant manager for Wacoal; Helene Morris, designer of Lonely; and Willy Mrasek, creative director of the Felina Group-had to say.
Accept If you have big breasts, experts say it's usually because you're trying to squeeze in a bra that is too small or not enough to supportive. (Kenney and Lewis both say that the majority of busty shoppers buy a bra in too big of a band size and too small of a cup size.) Some of the signs: bra straps that are constantly falling, underwires that dig in your boob , cups that gape .... If any or all of those are all too familiar, Lewis suggests finding a "sister size" to the person who has already been wearing-you'll come across many guides to landing on that magic number online.
Really pay attention to the band Lewis notes that 80 percent of the support comes from the bust. It should fit evenly from front to back and not move or shift when you raise your arms, and should lie flat on your back without breaking it up (if it does, that means it's too big, since the weight of the breasts is pulling it up ). Wear your bra on the loosest hook, so when the band stretches out over time you can get more out of it. (Per Cohen, you'll know you're wearing the right band size when you can just slip the two fingers underneath the back of it.)
Know what a proper fit feels like The cups should always fit smoothly across the breasts without gaping, overflow, or digging into the tissue. (If there is any bulging, "the cup is too small or your straps are too tight," notes Pfister.) The gore-the piece of material between the two cups-should lie flat on your chest, hitting at the center chest bone , while the underwire should follow the perimeter of the breast tissue and rest on the rib cage. The straps should never slip (you should be able to fit only two fingers under it, says Pfister) or dig in your shoulders (they're not the ones, the all-that's what is the band is there for).
Swap out bras on a semiregular basis. Experts agree that, on average, you should buy a new bra every six months. Like your favorite shoes, they wear out and stretch out with frequent use, explains Pfister, adding that the clear signs a bra has run its course include slipping straps, a cup at the "double bubble", frayed edges, underwires underwires, and of course , not getting too much lift as you once did To get the most used out of your bra, you'll want to maintain a whole lingerie wardrobe: because fibers need enough time to rest and pull back after every wear to the function, it's recommended to alternate bras. (Cohen recommends having at least three in regular rotation.)
Think your breast shape When shopping for a new bra, Lewis says it's important to think about your bust, but also the shape of your breasts. If your boobs are teardrop-shaped, for instance, a demi or balconette style may offer you a good fit; If they are round, a plunge or triangular silhouette may feel more supportive, as it pulls the breast tissue in the sides If you have a full bust, unlined bras are typically the most comfortable as they "round out the shape of the breast and have a flattening effect," according to Lewis. Here's a helpful breakdown
Think about fabrics It's a myth that the heavy, industrial-feeling bras are the only supportive lingerie option when you have big boobs Brands are finally (end!) Experimenting with a range of fabrics, like lace and mesh, that do not sacrifice comfort or structure for big busts The secret is making sure that the bra, regardless of what it's made of, provides good wing support-in other words, that the fabric panels on the sides of the bra (the ones that connect the cups to the clasp in the back) are strong and well-designed Other design considerations to include: underwire or padded cups to add shape and definition; side boning to stabilize the band; interior slings to help with projection and natural shaping; and padded straps to manage the volume of a big cup and offer a comfortable lift.
Ahead, we lay out the expert's tips on a range of bra types for different wants and needs.
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