This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Chatham chapter.
1. Can I fit two fingers in my bra band?
Seriously, go test if you can do this when you can. If you cannot fit two fingers into your bra band without a struggle or at all, then your bra is too tight. Try going up a band size and down a cup size.
2. Hold your arms up
When you lift your arms up, your bra should stay in place. If your bra lifts when you lift your arms up, it’s the wrong size. Go down a size and up a cup size.
3. Is the band level both in the front and back?
The band of the bra should be level in both the front and back. If the bra band rides up, you’re likely wearing the wrong size. Try going down a band size and up a cup size.
4. The cup gaps
Just like how your bra should remain in place when you lift your arms up, your cups should stay close to your breasts. If they gap or wrinkle at all, the cup is too big. Try going down a cup size and up a band size.
5. The straps dig into your shoulders/are falling off even after you adjust them
Do your bra straps dig into your shoulders and cause you pain? Your band size is likely too small. Try going up a band size. Are they constantly falling down even after you adjust them? Then your band size is too large and you should go down a band size.
6. Underwire problems
The underwire in your bras should fit comfortably on your ribcage. If your underwire is poking at your breast tissue, or is tilting away from your chest, you need a larger cup size. If the underwire is poking at your underarms, you need a smaller cup size.
7. The hook test
Bras should fit snugly on the first hook. If your bras are too loose, you need to go down a band size. If it’s too snug on the first hook, go up a band size.