How do I know I need to change bra sizes?

Things change, and there's no exception when it comes to our own bodies. You may know what size bra you buy; you may have even been professionally fitted in the past. But if you've been wearing the same bra size for years and years, maybe it's time to take a good hard look at how you look (and how you feel) in your standard size.

A well-designed bra should wear well all day without digging, adjusting, or causing any pain. Your silhouette under clothes should be smooth without any fabric folds or lumps. You shouldn't have to make adjustments all day. Think you need to make some changes? The good news is you're probably not that far off from a better size, you just need to see if you need to adjust strap or cup size.

Band problems:

Is the band riding up in the back?
The bra may be too loose around; try a smaller band size. One note: cup sizes are proportionate to the band size, which means a 34B cup is smaller than a 36B cup. if you get a smaller band you may have to get a larger cup size.

Are there bulges over or under the band?
This can happen around the back or on the sides. If so, your band is tighter than it should be. Try moving up to the next size. Again, the cup size is proportionate to the band, so getting a larger band may mean you need a smaller cup size. Since the cup size is related to the band size, and not the other way around, fit the band first and then move around cup sizes until you find your perfect fit!

Cup problems:

When you put your shirt on, are there lumps above the cup, creating a "double-breast" effect?
We all want something sexy, but some women are trying to get a low-cut look by wearing smaller cups than they actually should. Your bra cups, even on low-cut demi styles, should still be able to contain enough that nothing spills over. If you spend a lot of time trying to "fit" your breasts into your bra, it might be time to go the other way around. You could also get bras that are designed for plunge styles or cleavage. These bras have a looser top cut so they align with the fuller part of your breasts, rather than cut into them.

Does your bust pinch or fall out of the bottom or sides? Is the underwire digging under your armpits?
Time to get some larger cups. The cups should fully contain, and the underwire and center should fit snug against your body. Something to keep in mind if you get larger cups: if the whole bra fits around you nicely, meaning it isn't too loose or too tight in the back, you may need to get a smaller band with those larger cups, or a larger band with those smaller ones, to retain the overall circumference and fit.

Strap problems:

Are the straps digging into your shoulders?
Make sure you have the right cup size: too little cup won't support full figures and will cause a lot of pull on the shoulder straps. You also need to make sure your band isn't too loose, because it is the band, not the straps, that should support most of the weight of your chest. The band is the foundation of the bra, and it should be doing most of the work.

Are the straps wide enough?
Even though the straps don't carry most of the weight, they still have to be substantial enough to be supportive. Women with larger cup sizes should probably stay away from tiny, thin shoulder straps. Many of our customers opt specifically for wider shoulder straps for comfort.

Do you adjust the straps as short as they go, and the bra still doesn't feel supportive?
Unless you have an unusual body type, the band could be riding up in the back. Try getting a smaller band size.