Why Does My Bra Band Feel Tight?

Why Does My Bra Band Feel Tight?

Why Does My Bra Band Feel Tight?

Recently, one of our readers asked us a question: my bra band feels tight, why? There are many reasons why your bra band may feel tight. Read on to find out the causes of a tight bra band and what you can do about it.

Why Does My Bra Band Feel Tight?

Most women have a lot to say about cup sizing when talking of bra fitting. From gaping cups to those that tend to cut into the skin, it is easy to solve most bra cup related issues. However, that is not the entire story of how a bra should fit. The band also plays an important role in fit since that is where the bra draws most support from.

How Should the Band Fit?

The bra band should have a firm fit without feeling too tight and constricting. It should be snug to provide ultimate breast support and keep you comfortable all day long.

If the band is loose, your bra is likely to hang off the shoulders. Also, if the straps carry the entire breast weight, they will dig into the skin or ride up the back especially for women with massive breasts.

The band size is also associated with shoulder pain. Wearing the wrong band can leave your back constricted, which can lead to lead to shoulder and back pains.

The fit of the bra not only affects comfortability but also the shape of your breasts. Generally, a loosely-fitting band will not keep the breasts well-supported as the bra cups will droop down.

However, when the band is tight enough and stays in place, it anchors the whole bra, providing a sturdy and robust base where the cup sits. The band should be firm if you looking for lift and ultimate breast support.

My Bra Band Feels Tight, Why?

If your bra band feels tight, this means that you are wearing the wrong size bra. The bra cups may fit you well but your rib cage may be larger  than what the band can support. In this case, you will need to sister size up the band.

For example, if you are a 34B and the band feels tight, you can size up to 36A.

Yes, a sister size bra has the same cup size but different band size. In the case of a 34B, the sister size up is 36A.

You can learn more about sister sizing here.

And here is the sister size chart for your reference. The sister sizes are indicated horizontally for each bra. Going to the left means sizing down while going to the right means sizing up.

Bra Sister Size Chart US

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For example, if you are a 36B, you can size up to a 38A or size down to a 30E(DD), 32D or 34C.

The band is probably too big if the length is bigger than an inch when pulling away. The band is also too tight if you can’t get your fingers underneath.

The band doesn’t need any ‘give’ as the ribcage contracts and expands throughout the day when you move around and breathe.

If the band feels too tight or painful, you are wearing the wrong size. However, in this case, you should know how tight is too tight.

The bra band should be firm but not tight.

The band supports the breasts and also helps to reduce shoulder pain. To know if the band fits right, there should be enough space to comfortably slip in two fingers underneath the band and pull it away from the body.

If you want more support, go for bras with wider bands as narrower ones tend to cut into the skin.

How to Find the Right Bra Band Size

Getting the right band size is quite easy as you only need a measuring tape. Place it horizontally right below your breasts or at the crease ensuring its firm enough. The result is your band size in inches. If you get an odd number, round it off to the nearest even number, going up or down to get a perfect fit.

Here is a complete guide on how to measure your bra band size.

Also, keep in mind that sizing up or down affects the cup size as well. This is to say, when you increase the band size, you equally need to reduce the cup size and vice versa.

Women with muscular ribcages need larger band sizes for comfort. Conversely, those who are squishy and soft should go for smaller bands to achieve a snug fit. If you are not sure, a professional bra fitter should be able to help you.

When trying on bras, always wear them on the loosest hook and ensure it gives you a relaxed fit because the band tends to stretch out overtime and you can tighten it by moving to the next hook inwards.

Jeanette is a certified professional bra fitter. Originally from Lyons, France, Jeanette moved to Houston, TX to head the Brabbly content team. When not talking about bras and underthings, she's usually tucked in her study writing a sci-fi novel.

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