It may be easy to tell if your bra is too small – for example, the band may be tight around your ribcage, or your breasts may be coming out of the cups. But what if your bra is too big? This is an equally important issue to pay attention to. If your bra is too big, it simply won't support your breasts enough. And support is crucial to prevent problems like back/shoulder pain, chest discomfort and premature sagging. So, how do you know if your bra is too big? Here are some of the most common signs that you should go down a size:
1. The tires fall down
Have you noticed that the straps tend to fall off your shoulders? That's a red flag that your bra size is too big. The first step, of course, is to tighten your tires and see if that solves the problem. If they still fall down, you should probably choose a larger cup size (and decrease the band size).
2. The cups crinkle Crinkled cups aren't just ugly, they're also a sign that you need a smaller bra. If your breasts cannot fill the cups enough, the cups will often fold because they are too loose. Occasionally tightening the bra straps can solve this problem. Often, however, it is a matter of making a cup size smaller to ensure that you can fill the cups completely.
3. The band creeps up
If the band seems to be riding up on the back of your bra, the bra may be too big for you. The strap should fit horizontally all the way around your torso. However, if the bra is too large, it can fall forward due to the weight of the breasts. This causes the tire to creep up in the back. This means you won't get the support you need – so you'll probably want to go down a size.
4. You use the tightest hooks
Which row of hooks do you attach your bra to? If it's on the tightest setting, chances are your bra is too big for you, especially if it still doesn't feel tight in that row. Your bra should fit comfortably on the center hook. Ideally, when you first buy a bra, you can wear it on the loosest hook – that way, as it loses some elasticity over time and gradually stretches, you can continue to put it on as needed and get the most out without compromise to do about support.
5. Your shoulders hurt
No bra should hurt your shoulders. If you feel some pain in your shoulders, it could mean the band is lifting because it's too loose – and as a result, the bra straps have to do all the work to support the weight of your bust. You may also notice that your bra straps leave indentations in your shoulders as they do the heavy lifting. You'll probably need to downsize a tire if you're dealing with this annoying problem.
6. There is a gap between your chest and the cups
Do you see a gap between your breasts and the bra cups? That usually means going down a cup size. Your breasts should be centered in the cups and the cups should lie flat against the breast tissue with no gaps at the bottom, top or sides. Sometimes solving this problem is a matter of finding the right bra for your breast shape. Depending on the fullness of your breasts (and whether they are full on the top or full on the bottom) and the projection, there are certain styles that can help prevent this gaping hole better than others.
