Six Common Breast Shapes & How It Impacts Bra Fit
Have you ever tried on a bra you think is the right size according to your measurements, but no matter how you twist and turn, it won’t fit quite right?
This is because breasts have many characteristics, so it's not enough to just consider size as you shop. Our team designs bras with many needs in mind, including one little-known trait: Breast shape.
Learning which common shape is your closest match can teach you the bra types and bra linings that may best support your silhouette.
Throughout life, it's common for your shape to fluctuate or change for many different reasons. Understanding yours is the key to a stress-free shopping experience.
Use this guide to find bras we'd recommend as we dive into these six common breast shapes:
1. Low Profile or “Athletic”
2. Side Set
3. Relaxed
4. Bell
5. Tear Drop
6. Full All Around
Any Shape Can Be Asymmetric
First things first: It's natural and common for breasts to vary in size or placement. This variation could be slight, or breasts could be entirely different cup sizes from each other.
You'll still be one of the six shapes if you're asymmetric(redirect to Breast Asymmetry-It’s the Norm!), but you may need to make additional adjustments to your bra to find the right fit. If you'd like to learn more about these modifications, open live chat to speak with one of our Bra Fit Experts online or visit your nearest store.
Any shape can be side-set or “close-knit” as well, meaning that there is not much space between your breasts even when you are not wearing a bra. Women who are close-knit may not love the look and feel of plunge and balconette bras. We suggest a wire-free style instead.
Low Profile or “Athletic”
The tissue for this shape is dense and close-set to the body. If you're low profile, your breasts likely have less fullness. While they can vary, typically, your nipples will point forward and have little-to-no tissue hanging over the ribcage.
Common fit considerations for this shape are gaps at the top, bottom, or sides of the cups--especially in structured styles. You may notice the gore (the small triangle of fabric that connects the cups) won't sit flat or might not gain cleavage because of the density of your tissue.
As an alternative, a few of our fave suggestions include unstructured frames like wireless, bralettes, and sport bras. Because the fabric is less structured, it will hug your body to reduce gaping. If straighter necklines are your style, lounge bras may also be a good fit.
Side Set
The space between the breasts commonly signifies this shape. For a side-set shape, the fullness of your tissue occurs to the sides of your torso or even under your arms. Typically, your nipples will point to the sides, but they could be forward as well.
Gaping in the front of the cups or beneath the gore and digging or poking in your sides or underarms typically happen for side-set, especially in structured bras.
Our recommendation? A demi-cut or push-up bra. The low-cut neckline of the demi hugs more closely to your body's silhouette with no extra fabric at the top. The push-up padding helps move your tissue up and toward the center. This reduces gaping, holds the center gore flat, and keeps your underwires from digging in. If you don't like a lot of lift, a lightly lined bra or a front-close could also be an excellent choice.
Relaxed
The tissue for this shape is softer and pulls the breasts further down your torso. Because of this, the nipples usually point down as well, and the breasts lay flat to body without a bra.
You'll likely experience gaping at the top of your cups. Also, the underwire or wireless structure may slide up onto your breasts, depending on the style you wear.
We recommend bras with structured cups and a bit of lift. For relaxed, it's all about finding the right lining level to keep you comfortable. While lift can help, we suggest you avoid both ends of the spectrum—push-up and unlined may uncomfortably displace your tissue.
Bell
Your tissue is less full across the top and much fuller at the bottom. Sometimes, it can be challenging to decipher between bell and teardrop.
If you're bell, you might have a bit more space between your tissue, and your nipples will be forward or down.
Since you're fuller on the bottom, you may experience gaping at the top of your cups, which can cause the straps to lay away from your body as well as folding at the top cup.
We recommend lower necklines like demi-cuts and balconettes to reduce gaping and folding. Bras with lining or padding may also work well for you. Whichever style you select, be sure your straps are fully adjustable. This will allow you to find the correct length to make them sit snug.
Teardrop
Your tissue will be fuller on the bottom than the top and likely a bit more close-set than bell. Your nipples will be pointing forward and up.
Many styles should work well for you, and it's unlikely for you to experience fit challenges. However, it always takes trial and error to find a bra you love, no matter your shape.
One fit opportunity we see for teardrop is minimizing gaping in full-coverage bras. If you like more coverage, we suggest styles with a bit of lift or shorter cusp to help fill the top.
Full All Around
This shape is rounder than the others and the breasts are close together. Your tissue will be full to the top, bottom, and sides. Typically, your nipples will point forward or up.
Spillage and digging under the arms or breasts are common. There may even be indentations or marks when you take off your bra.
To avoid this, we have a few suggestions: First, go for something with less coverage or a balconette to avoid digging. Along with open necklines, we recommend paying special attention to the underwire. Surprisingly, some are straighter than others, so keep an eye out for wide and rounded wires and cups. These should fit well without leaving marks.
Finding Your Ideal Size
Now that you have our recommendations for what work best for your shape, we can also help you find your fit from the comfort of home.
Watch our quick tutorial for how to measure your bra size. If you're feeling stuck and need some additional support, no worries--just stop by a store near you. One of our Associates will be happy to help you with a quick bra fitting.