Australia's Premier Store for D Cup and Up

Straps Dig In

Reason

This can occur if the shoulder straps are taking too much of the weight of your bust.  It often leads to permanent indentations if not rectified. The back band should provide 90% of the support, the shoulder straps are mainly for balance.  The other cause of shoulder straps digging in could simply be that they are adjusted too tightly.

Solution

Loosen your shoulder straps and if this doesn’t help then try this test. Drop your shoulder straps. If your back band moves it’s likely it is not anchored well enough so your shoulder straps are probably taking the whole weight of your bust. A smaller back band could be the answer. But remember, a smaller back band means a bigger cup.

Fitter's Tip

Do you have sloping shoulders where your shoulder straps fall off. Steer away from balconette bras as the straps are set wide apart. Try a full cup bra or at least a bra with stretch in the straps which will grip better than non-stretch fabric.

Back Riding Up

Reason

This happens when the back band is not firm enough; also inferior bras often have too much stretch. The shoulder straps, if too tight, can force the back band up and if the cups are too small the same can happen, this also adds pressure to the breast tissue. This is a very common bra problem, but probably the easiest to rectify.

Solution

Try going down one back size, possibly two. But remember when the back band goes down so does the cup size. (i.e. If you are a 14DD and the back band is too loose but the cup seems to be a good fit, then the bra size you should try is 12E). Once you have the back band right, then continue going up in the cups until it feels right.

Fitter's Tip

Lift your arms in the air and if the band under the fold of your breast lifts up then it's likely the band is not firm enough. This is one of the most common bra problems.

Cups Bulging

Reason

The cup is most likely too small, however it could also be the correct cup size but the style could be wrong for you. Especially if you are high busted the trim of a full cup bra may cut into your breast, but a balconette could work better because of how it works with your shape.

Solution

If the back band is firm enough and only the cup size needs to increase, then that’s all you need to do. (If you are wearing a 12E then you will need to try at least a 12F, however in most cases, customers who visit us as a 12E are more likely to be a 10FF or 8G at least).

Fitter's Tip

Back Fat

Reason

The back band may be too tight and cut into the skin creating more bulges, this mostly happens with cheaply made bras which have too much stretch. It can also be because your back band is too loose, making it rise up and sit on the fleshiest part of your back, often pushing your flesh together in one area.

Solution

The appearance of back fat can be reduced.Try a wider back band with at least 3 hooks. This will sit flatter against the skin without cutting in. Ensure your back band is firm and horizontal to the ground as it will sit flatter to smooth out your fleshy bits. Wearing a bigger back band is usually NOT the solution.

Fitter's Tip

It's more important to have a firm back band fitting than worrying about back fat. Having a looser band will result in loss of support and lift. A much worse look than a little back fat.

Wires Dig In

Reason

Wires can dig into your upper or side breast tissue if the cup is too small and sometimes if the back band is too big. Once the back band is firmer it can bring the wire back behind the breast and a bigger cup will allow the wires to encapsulate the breast rather than sit against it.

Solution

Our most common solution is to go down one back size and up two to three cup sizes as increasing the cup size may also release the back band, making it looser. Please follow our fitting guide to ascertain the best solution. This bra problem can cause discomfort and mastitus in pregnant women.

Fitter's Tip

• Many mainstream stores carry limited sizes. Some bra fitters may fit you into a bra which is too big in the back in a mistaken attempt to get the cup size big enough for you. This way of fitting is absolutely unacceptable because so much of the support is lost. You need to shop elsewhere and only then can your bra problems be rectified.
   
• Your bra band size is usually the same size or smaller than your dress size. So if you usually wear a size 12 dress, then your bra band size is most likely to be a 10 or 12. If you have been wearing a size 14 band and need to go down, also remember to go up at least 1 or 2 cups i.e. 14D to 12DD. Understanding this would eliminate so many bra problems for so many of us.