How Should A Bra Fit For Comfort?

At some time in our lives, we’ve all been there. We’ve worn an ill-fitting bra. The straps have cut into our shoulders, the bra rides up at the back, we have bits-and-pieces poking into our skin, and the cups are either too big, or too small. Just plain uncomfortable. 

But every woman deserves better than this. Our bras should be our besties, not our worst nightmares. Thankfully, this problem doesn’t have to be permanent - even if you have uneven breasts. So let’s get our ‘girlies’ the support they need, and turn fiddley into fabulous.

How Should a Bra Fit

A measuring tape is a great starting point for finding the right bra size and fit. However, we have very different shapes and physiology that ultimately determines the level of bra comfort. Therefore, your personal comfort should be the final decision maker, but these tips will lead you in the right direction.

Band Fit

The band provides most of the bra’s support. If the band rides up your back, it may be too loose. If the band is too tight, it cuts into the skin. To ensure it fits properly, the band should fit snugly around your ribcage. So, get your measuring tape, and let’s get started.

1. Wear a non-padded bra while you do your measurements.

2. Measure around your ribcage, just below your bust, keeping the tape snug but not too tight.

3. The tape should sit level all the way around your body. If you’re able to get a professional bra fitting, or some help, even better. This will ensure that the bra band lies straight across your rib cage.

4. Write down the measurement. Pick a bra size closest to your number. E.g., If you measured 33 inches (83 cm), then you will choose a size 34” bra, not 32”. Always go up to get the correct band size. 

Bra Cup Fit

The bra band is important, but a proper fitting bra depends heavily on the cup size. The ideal fit is when the cup fully encloses each breast without spillage or gaping. The traditional way of measuring for cup size is to measure around your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. 

This is ok for many women, but not for those who have asymmetrical breasts, this could result in a wrong bra size. It requires that you measure each breast separately to get the best fit. We’ll get back to this later. 

Once you have your band and cup measurements, you can choose the right size bra according to these guidelines. 

How does that feel?  Good? Not so good? Something niggling you? Then, it may be the straps or center gore. Let’s discuss how to fix that. 

Strap fit

Take note of how the straps fit your suggested size. They should not slip off or cut into your skin. Adjust your straps until you’re satisfied. Pay attention to the following:

• If the bra straps are still falling after adjustment, it may be that your band is too loose. Remember, the band provides the support. Try a size with a smaller band and see how that feels. With a properly fitted bra, you will not even be aware of it.

• If the straps are digging into your skin after adjustment, it may be that your cup size is too small, and your straps are compensating for that. The more breast tissue you have, the larger the cups should be. You may also need a bra with underwire support, so try various cuts before making your final decision. 

Centre Gore

The center gore is the part of the bra that connects the cups in the middle. On a well-fitting bra, it must sit flat against your chest. This ensures proper separation and support. If this is not the case, you can:

• Check the bra cups. If they are too small, the center gore will float away from the body. 

• Check the band size again, or the cut and style of the bra. It may not be suited to your shape. 

If you’ve worked your way through the four areas that make a bra fit properly, then you should have a pretty good fit at this point. The gold standard: You feel so comfortable that you don’t even know you have a bra on.

If you’re still very aware of your bra, you may need a professional fitting to determine the cause, or it could be that you have asymmetrical breasts. This unique attribute isn’t as uncommon as you may imagine, so take heart. There’s always something that can be done.

Why Traditional Bras Fall Short

Traditional bras fail women who have an uneven breast size precisely because they are made based on the assumption that your breasts are symmetrical. Great for manufacturing processes but horrible for your unique needs. Fortunately, better solutions are available - ones that don’t include inserts or removable pads.

The Symmetrista Solution

A Revolutionary Approach to Bra Design

Symmetrista has reimagined bra design with an innovative and empathetic solution tailored to each breast. This unique approach ensures a perfect fit for every woman by addressing asymmetry directly, as follows:

• Dual-cup design: Each cup is independently crafted to accommodate the size of your breasts, providing customized support and symmetry.

• Built-in padding for balance: Throw away the ‘one-size-fits-all’ inserts, Symmetrista bras include a pad specifically designed for your unique needs. 

• Comfortable and adaptable materials: The unique materials provide just the right level of comfort on the skin and support for your breasts, enhancing the function of your bra. No more bulky, bumpy clothing worries. Just a smooth, beautiful shape.  

Benefits of Choosing Symmetrista

The reason a Symmetrista bra can be a game changer for you is because it was designed by a woman with asymmetrical breasts, who intimately understands what your frustrations are.

This kind of insight goes a long way to carefully crafting and constructing a unique bra for unique needs - it’s not just a product - it’s a labor of love. 

Each bra is special - just like you; and is made with specific outcomes in mind, such as:

• The creation of a natural, balanced appearance.

• Enhanced comfort without the need for inserts, pads, or clothing to hide your uneven breasts. 

• A tailor-made bra that can be ordered online using an online size calculator.

How to Find Your Perfect Fit

As stated previously, a great bra fits comfortably and makes you feel better about your shape. You can follow the tips we’ve provided above, but you will need to measure each of your breasts individually as follows:

Step 1 - Right breast

Place the tape under your right armpit, extend it across the fullest part of your breast (over the nipple) to the center between your breasts. Ensure the tape is snug but not compressing the tissue.

Step 2 - Left breast

Repeat the process for your left breast. It is very important that you do these measurements accurately because the bra will be made according to information you provide. 

Step 3 - Measure your ribcage

Wrap the tape measure around your ribcage, directly under your bust. Ensure it’s snug but not too tight. Input this measurement into the calculator.

The Symmetrista online size calculator is very simple and easy to use. 

However, sometimes, it may suggest a size you do not usually wear. This is nothing to be concerned about since traditional bra sizes don’t accommodate your unique needs. However, if this bothers you, you can contact Symmetrista to verify your size. 

Bra Size Checklist

Is it ok if we say, “A well-fitting bra is like a big hug?” It’s true, isn’t it. We women are mentally and emotionally affected by how comfortable we feel in our clothes, and the right size bra is critical to creating a feeling of naturalness and confidence. Here we provide a quick checklist for giving yourself a great gift- a good bra! 

A Beautiful, Well-Fitting Bra For Every Woman

Your bra is an important part of your wardrobe. There is no getting past that fact. You want to look and feel good, and you need a well-fitting bra to achieve this. 

Don’t wait to feel comfortable, confident, appealing, beautiful, and natural - this is every woman's right. Throw out those wrongly-sized bras and give yourself the beautiful gift of a good fitting bra, and with Symmetrista’s asymmetrical bras this is now possible for every woman!

Feel beautiful every day.