Problem: Your bra underband should sit comfortably just beneath your breasts. If it is pulling down at the front underneath your breasts, it may be too small. If you are noticing that your bra is digging in or leaving red marks, then it’s definitely too small.

Solution: Try going up one back size.

Are your breasts spilling out of the top or sides of the cups?

Problem: If the cups are too small, then your breasts may spill out over the top of the cups or at the sides.

Solution: A perfectly-fitting bra should have no overspill at the cups or underarm. Try going up one or two sizes.

Are the cups loose or baggy?

Problem: If the cups are too big, then the cups will be wrinkled or creased. Or, if it’s a moulded style, they will gape open at the top of the cup.

Solution: Try going down a cup size.

Is the centre front lifting away from your body?

Problem: The centre front should lie flat against the body. If it doesn’t, then this could be a sign that the cups are too small for your bust, causing the breasts to push the centre front away.

Solution: Try going up a cup size.

Straps digging into shoulders?

Problem: If your bra straps are digging in, it may be because your underband is too big and the straps are having to provide most of the support.

Solution: Try going down a back size – the underband, not the straps, should provide 80% of the support. When you’re comfortable that your underband fits perfectly, you should adjust the straps so they sit snugly on - but don’t dig into - your shoulders.

Straps slipping?

Problem: If your bra straps keep slipping off your shoulders, this may be a sign of general wear as bra straps tend to become slacker over time.

Solution: Try adjusting the bra straps so that they fit tighter. Also, if you have narrow shoulders it’s a good idea to avoid balcony styles with wide set straps.

My breasts are different sizes

Problem: My breasts are different sizes, which one should I fit to?

Solution: Having breasts that are different sizes is perfectly normal, but sometimes, the difference is more noticeable. For maximum comfort and support, we recommend fitting your bra to your larger breast. If you notice any creasing to the smaller cup, you can always try adding a foam or gel insert to pad it out a little.

Underwiring is digging in

Problem: The underwire of my bra is digging into my breast tissue. How can I stop this from happening?

Solution: Your breasts should be completely encased within the underwiring, meaning the wire section of your bra should not be pressing onto your bust. If it is, you probably need to go up a cup size. It’s also possible that the underband is too tight, which may be causing the underwire to dig in. If this is the case, try slackening the clasp.

It may be worth going down a band size and up a cup size. Alternatively, you could go up a band size and down a cup size. For example, if your bra size is 34E, try a 32F or a 36DD. This is known as ‘sister sizing.’ The cup volume is the same for all three sizes.

If your bra is new, you should wear it on the loosest hook and eye. Bras stretch over time and you can accommodate this extra room by fastening your bra on a tighter hook.

Try sitting the back band an inch lower than the front. It will sit on the smaller part of your body and reduce the ‘bulge’ effect. It’s also worth noting that wider side wings are more form-flattering under fitted tops as they create less of a bulge.

The tape measure system was developed a very long time ago – over 80 years ago, in fact! Our understanding of body shapes has changed a lot since then, and since this method was only ever intended for cup sizes A-D, it’s ineffective for those with a bigger bust. What’s more, for this method to ‘work’, you have to be wearing a bra when getting measured – but wearing the wrong size bra to begin with will forfeit the accuracy of your measurement. It also doesn’t account for the shape of the ribcage, which varies between women and can impact sizing.

For an accurate bra fit, use our simple visual guide using your current bra, a mirror and your own judgement. It’s easy to do and all in the comfort of your own home.

Wearing a back band that is too big is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to bra sizing. Many women confuse the back measurement with breast size, assuming a 36 or 38 back must mean a bigger bust. This misconception not only makes for poor support, bulging necklines and lumps under fitted tops, but also causes skin irritation and bad posture.

It’s worth considering your dress size, as this can be a helpful guide. If for example, you are a size 10 or 12, it’s unlikely you’ll need a 36 bra. In any case, the best solution is to follow our simple guide. You may be surprised to find that you go down two back sizes and up two cup sizes, but this isn’t unusual.