If you're moving UP a band size (say, from a 14 to a 16), you should go DOWN a cup size (assuming it's only the band and not the cup that is too small in the 14), because the difference between the measurement of your rib-cage (the band size) is now less “steps” difference than what it was before.
Proper cup fit is influenced by band size. As the band size changes, so does the cup size. For every band size you go down, you should go up one cup. If you are in a 34D with a good cup fit, but want to go down to a 32 band, you would go to a 32DD for a tighter band with the same cup fit.
If there are gaps between the cup and your breast, you're wearing a cup size too big. If you find your breast spilling over the top, side, or bottom of the cup, you most likely need to go up in size. You also need to consider a larger cup size if the underwire or bottom of the bra is resting on your breasts.
When you look down at your bra do you notice space between your breasts and the cup? If so, it's too big. If you aren't able to see any gaps while standing up, try leaning over while looking into a mirror. If there is extra space in your cups it's time for a new size.
No matter the type of bra, the band should fit comfortably around your body, snug but not tight. Remember to always start a new bra on the loosest hook and hook tighter as the band stretches over time.
When trying on a new bra, it should feel snug on the first row of eyes. If the bra feels too loose, consider going down a band size (and up a cup size if you feel the cup size is correct).
The band should not be higher at the back than under the breasts. The breasts creep out under the cup. If the cup glides up when you stretch your arms so that the breasts start creeping out underneath, the band of the bra is too big. Breasts should never escape from a bra at the top, bottom or armpit.
Weight loss or weight gain won't dramatically affect cup size, says Daniel Maman, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Manhattan who sees several patients for breast surgery every day.
But it means that our sizes and shapes change and vary, so it's important to be fitted for bras once a year. Your bra size can change up to five times in your life, starting with puberty of course. As teens' bodies develop into the woman they're going to become, they'll go through several sizes.
An obvious sign that the cups are too small is if the underwire presses in at the sides of the breasts or if you have red marks on your breasts when you take your bra off in the evening. The underwire should enclose and cradle the breasts; it shouldn't pinch anywhere. If it does, you need to go up a cup size.
Natural swelling: The breasts naturally swell throughout the day due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes. This can make the bra feel tighter as the day goes on.
There's no difference in the spacing between single and double letter sizes, a DD is one full size larger than D, just like E is one full size larger than DD.
In order to determine if your cup size is too big or small, look to see if you have an extra bump of breast tissue at the top or at the sides of the cups or if you have a wrinkle in the cups or extra space in the cup.
Ill-fitting bras have also been associated with neck, back and shoulder pain, bad posture, and rubbing and chafing leading to skin abrasions. We also see ill-fitting bras causing permanent changes to the body, such as deep grooves in the shoulders caused by pressure from the bra shoulder straps.
As a general rule of thumb, it's important to have a healthy rotation of bras at the ready so that you're never left blindsided — and bare chested. All things considered, we'd suggest owning 11 bras in total in a couple of distinctive styles that range from everyday to on-occasion.
Bras can stretch up to 3 inches during their lifetime, hence the rows of hook and eye closures, made to offset this necessary adjustment. The band can also start riding up your back, which causes gaping in the front between your body and the bra cups.
The center of the bra doesn't sit flat.
The band might be too big — try going down a band size and up a cup size. On the other hand, the cup might be too small — try going up a cup size, or even just half a cup size. The other possible reason is that your breast type is messing with the center gore.
And believe it or not, wearing your sports bra all day can lead to skin issues. "Any tighter compressive garment that isn't taken off can lead to some irritation such as a rash and even a fungal infection," Dr. Tutela says.
Bra Band – the band should be secure and level all the way round, not riding up at the back. The band should sit snug underneath the breast tissue. Straps – the straps should run parallel at the back and take the weight from the shoulders. Straps should not dig into the shoulders.
Bra overflow happens when the top of the breast tissue doesn't fit into the cup of the bra. This can happen for a variety of reasons or a combination of them: Cup size. If you're wearing a cup that's too small the cups won't properly cover the correct amount of breast tissue.