BRA FITTING PROBLEMS Cups should be snug but not tight. The cup must completely surround the breast and no flesh should be bulging out of the top or sides of the cup (stand side-on in the mirror to check for an ill-fitting bra). Band rides up in back The band should be level with the floor. The Band Size is too big if the back of the band is much higher or lower than your nipples. If the band is on the tightest closure setting and still not level, you will need a smaller band size. Underwires poke into breasts Your breasts are wider than the diameter of the cup. You will need a larger Cup Size. Underwires poke on the sides The band may be too tight. Try a larger Band Size. Underwires poke into underarms If you are short, the ends of the wires may poke into your underarms. To add to this problem, the larger the Cup Size, the taller the cup height becomes. You will need to try an underwire style that doesn't have as much cup height or a wireless bra. Bugling top and/or sides of cup The cup is not large enough to contain your breast. Try a larger Cup Size. Wrinkles in cup There is extra room in the cup which the breast is not filling. Try a smaller Cup Size. Straps digging in Often, the straps are too tight. Adjust the straps by lengthening them. If the straps still dig in, the band may be too loose, putting all of the breast weight on the straps. Try a smaller Band Size or a style with wider straps. Shoulders hurt and/or straps leave marks Loosen the straps a little. The band may be too loose or too big (check to make sure it is level and not riding up). Try a more supportive bra with wider straps. Straps fall off the shoulders Try adjusting the straps to tighten them. The cups may be too large (check for wrinkles in the cups), making the straps loose. The straps may have lost their elasticity if they are stretchy. If your shoudlers are sloped, try a bra that has straps which are closer together in the back (like a racer-back bra). Band rides up Try a tighter hook setting and loosen the straps if they are digging in. If this does not help then the Band Size may be too big and you will need a smaller size. Center of bra does not lay flat against the breasts The cups are too small and the breasts are pulling the material horizontally which puckers in the center. Try a larger Cup Size. Any other problems you have noticed? Please let me know. From my experience as a bra fitter, I have noticed the following trends: Women wear cups that are either too tight or too loose, or the band is too loose; Developing teenage girls often wear the same bra they wore the year before and they are now bulging over the top of the cups; Teenage girls who are slow developers often wear a cup that is too loose or big in hopes of growing into it. Get a larger cup when you need it, until then, you'll look and feel much better wearing a snug cup; Women often buy the same size year after year because there is little noticable change. After five years, however, they are still wearing the same bra but their body is different. We gain weight in places, loose it in others, and breasts sag (don't deny it, it happens to all of us). Other Fitting Problems: Women who are short have a hard time finding a bra that fits. Since their upper torso is 1-3 inches less than the "average" woman, these problems arise: The straps tend to be too long and may not adjust short enough to avoid slipping off the shoulders; The cups (especially if underwires) stick into the underarms. To add to this problem, the larger the Cup Size, the taller the cup height becomes. Shorter women whose bras are uncomfortable should enquire about the benefits of getting a custom bra.