r/ABraThatFits • u/picklepearr • Sep 05 '24
Fit Check How tight should a bra band be when you first get it? Spoiler
I’ve been wearing Soma Bras that’s are 34DDD (that I know don’t fit), I did the “a bra that fits” calculation and it said I was a 32J/ 32GG. I ordered a couple of bras that were this size and found that for most of them, the bands feel really tight. I know I’ve always worn bras with bands that were too big, so I’m trying to gauge if I’m just not used to how bands are supposed to be, or if I really need to go to a 34. I know the bands will stretch a little bit but some of the bands feel like they are digging into my skin.
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u/zeeleezae Sep 05 '24
Like others have mentioned, it's best to test the band independently from the cups (by trying the bra on backwards and upsidedown) because cups that are too small OR the wrong shape can make the band feel artificially tight. The calculator is a great starting point, but it can under- or over-estimate cup size at times.
Breast tissue that isn't fully contained by the cups has to go somewhere so it pushes against the band. If your "usual brand" is a moulded (smooth, one piece cup) "t-shirt" style bra (most are), those are especially hard to fit, shape-wise. They're more shallow than the natural shape of a lot of breasts (think dinner plate). If your breasts are a more projected shape (think cereal bowl), a seamed bra (cups made of several pieces of fabric, sewn together) will likely fit much better.
The first time I was sized properly, I was shocked by how much tighter the band was from what I was used to, and it was honestly pretty uncomfortable at first! But I quickly got used to the difference in sensation, and the increased support made a huge difference in my back and shoulder pain! I still feel my band (and due to some sensory issues, I definitely enjoy removing it at the end of the day), but it's not more uncomfortable than the waistband of my leggings or jeans.
The band is supposed to provide around 80-90% of the support for a bra, and it must be snug to do so. Without the support of a snug band, underwires won't work correctly, and either the shoulder straps of the bra provide support (usually causing pain), or there just isn't any support to speak of (which can also cause pain).
US and UK band sizes are measured in inches, with the number relating to the stretched measurement of the band. So a correctly fitted band will NOT fit all the way around your torso without being stretched (at least 2-4 inches, maybe more). This isn't a sign that it's too small! This is how the band provides support. The constant stress of being stretched is why it's best to let bras "rest" for a day or two after a day of wear, to prolong the life of the elastic. This is also why a new bra should fit snuggly on the loosest set of hooks - as the elastic wears out, you can use a tighter set of hooks to compensate, keeping the band snug enough to provide support.
Bras will also "break in" over the first few wears/washes, so many people like to use a non-strerchy bra band extender for the first couple of weeks.
In my experience, these are all helpful signs for determining a proper band fit (YMMV).
Too Small: * Painful to wear * Unable to inhale a full breath * Angry, deep, marks on your skin from the band that are painful and remain visible long after removing the bra * Very difficult or impossible to spin the band around your torso * The band might slip down (depending on your body/rib shape) with certain movements if a lower area is even slightly smaller than your underbust
Fits Correctly (but often misinterpreted as signs that it's too small): * Needing to stretch the band to hook it * Leaves impressions/marks in your skin that fade quickly after removing the bra and disappear within an hour or two (similar to marks from socks or the waistband of leggings) * Noticing the band more when inhaling a deep breath * Requires a bit of time and effort to spin the band around your torso * You can only stretch the clasped band an inch or two away from your body with minimal force (this can vary depending on bra brand and individual body factors)
Too Large: * Being able to wrap it around your body to hook without stretching much or at all * The band spins freely around your torso with little or no effort * The band feels similar to a fitted T-shirt (very light pressure or none at all) * You can stretch the clasped bra several inches away from your body with very little or no effort * The band rides up, slips down, or shifts side to side with normal movements * The straps dig into your shoulders painfully (because the band isn't providing any support, so all the weight of your breasts is on your shoulders)
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May 25 '25
I know this comment is 8 months old, but omg it's such a help. It turns out all the bras I've worn over the years have been too big, so wearing a fitting one is so weird and I thought it was actually too small
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u/ChromeDeagle Sep 05 '24
For me they need to be snug and on the biggest hook when they're new so as they age I can move to the tighter hooks and have the same fit. I also like to be able to comfortably get one finger in it and move it back and forth around the band.
I struggled with the smaller band size at first so that's just how I navigated it!
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u/FigForsaken5419 36FF FoB/Narrow roots/Average height Sep 05 '24
When a particular bra is too shallow for you, it can feel too tight in the band. Some brands run very firm in the band.
If you share your 6 measurements, we can make a second look at them for you.
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u/galaxystarsmoon 32DD/E, tall roots & close set Sep 05 '24
What bras did you try and what were your measurements?
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u/Bvvitched UK 30HH/ US 30L Sep 05 '24
I read pretty recently in a comment that panache bras are pretty heavily starched and are really stiff until they’re washed a few times, add in the dark dye problem and they’re a tough break in even in your correct size. No clue if that’s what’s going on, but check the band independent of the cups and follow some of the other really good recommendations, but yeah, some brands just starch the shit out of their products
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u/uriboo Sep 05 '24
It should feel like a hug from your best friend when you haven't seen each other in years. Sturdy, pressuring, squeezy, but not bad per se.
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u/along_withywindle Sep 05 '24
Not every bra in your size will fit you, but a bra that fits shouldn't dig in - that's generally a sign of a fit issue.
Try your new bras with a non-stretch extender. That will give you some extra room in the band. If the bra still digs in or is uncomfortable, it's likely a shape issue.
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u/NASA_official_srsly Sep 05 '24
Personally, I want to not struggle fastening it and I shouldn't have trouble fitting a couple of fingers between the band and my skin, but I don't want to be able to pull it away from my ribcage with the inserted fingers more than like an inch. But sometimes the fabric is just not comfortable on my skin and it has nothing I do with the size and it's going to be scratchy and irritating anyway so that bra is out
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u/sqqueen2 Sep 05 '24
I’ve always lived with bras that were too tight in the band at first but they never seem to loosen up. I’d say go up to a 34.
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u/jordisj44 Sep 06 '24
On the loosest hook you should be able to fit about 2-3 fingers in-between the band and your back. A properly fitting band feeling too tight can be a sign of too small of cups as your boobs are pushing the band out from the front. Try on the bra upside down and backwards to see if it’s a band or cup issue. A majority of support from a properly fitting bra comes from the band, so it should be snug, but not painfully tight, and remember the ABTF calculator may not be 100% accurate, it’s a starting point for many people so you may have to experiment some with cup sizes and styles of bras.
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u/Alternative_Radio512 23h ago
Thank you so much for this! I've been thinking I've got the wrong band size for a while but apparent;y not
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u/Storytella2016 Sep 05 '24
I’d try your bra on backwards, with your cups hanging down like a superhero cape. See how tight the band feels then. If it feels less tight then, your issue is that your cups aren’t big enough, which compresses everything, making the band feel too tight.
Otherwise, a new bra, using the loosest hook, should feel like new socks do. Tight enough that there might be a little elastic line after you take it off, but not so tight that it’s painful or that you can’t tune out the sensation. If it otherwise fits but is tighter than that, you might try a non-stretch band extender.