All my people with breasts probably know how hard it is to find a great bra. Among the many problems we can encounter, bra overflow is one of the most annoying. Wearing something that your boobs are literally trying to escape from isn’t the most excellent way to go about your day.
Before the annoyances of bra shopping drive you to commit to a lifestyle of going braless, let’s talk about how we can solve the problem. Learning your bra sister sizes and figuring out which of the many breast shapes matches yours are great places to start.
An overflowing bra is primarily a fit issue so understanding your titties is imperative to know how to treat them right. Let’s dig right into the causes and solutions for an overflowing bra. And I promise that by the end of this we’ll get your boobies feeling less like prisoners in a cloth jail and more like queens sitting pretty on twin thrones.
WHAT IS BRA OVERFLOW?
Bra overflow, as you may have guessed, occurs when your breasts just don’t fit in the bra you’re wearing.
The bra spilling can take place at the sides of the bra or the top of the bra. Of course, many bras are designed to have a little bit of exposure going on. However, there is a difference between cleavage and an undesirable fit.
Bra overflow is more common for people with larger bust sizes but it can happen to anyone. It occurs in all bra styles and how it looks will depend on many factors, such as your breast size and shape and the intended effect of the bra.
For example, in a balconette bra, any spillage will likely take place at the top or side of the bra. Meanwhile, spillage in a plunge bra will look like your two breasts are meeting in the middle with the intention to become one entity in an unfortunate answer to what is a uniboob.
WHY DOES BRA OVERFLOW HAPPEN?
As I hinted before, the main culprit of bra overflow is incorrect sizing, but it’s important to pin point the exact sizing issue before making moves to switch out all your bras. Here are the specific sizing inconsistencies that could be causing your boob flood:
- If the cup size is too small then even if the band fits you perfectly there just won’t be enough fabric to properly cover your breasts.
- Alternately, if the band around your rib cage is too tight then the cups may end up being stretched to the point that they won’t sit where they’re supposed to and will cut into your breast tissue. Ouch!
- Another cause, which doesn’t have as clear-cut a solution, is uneven breasts. I’m right there with you on this one. No matter how great the bra fits Miss Right Boob, Lady Left Boob is always just a little too meaty for it.
- Concerning the previous reason, you may simply not be wearing the correct bra for your boob type. Along with asymmetrical breasts, there are many other boob shapes hanging (or perkily perching) out there.
BOOB SHAPES PRONE TO BRA SPILLING
We all know that boobies come in all shapes and sizes. Every shape and size of breast can experience bra overflow but here are a few that are the most susceptible to it:
- Asymmetrical: One study showed that around 90% of women have at least a small disparity in the size of their two breasts. Asymmetrical boobs can come in any size. When shopping for a bra you should adjust the cup size to properly fit the bigger breast. If the size difference is significant enough, you can add some padding to the cup with the smaller breast to prevent gaping.
- Bell: This boob shape is thinner at the top and rounder/fuller at the bottom and it tends to be associated with larger breasts. A balconette bra makes this bra shape look awesome but it’s also a bra style that can cause this shape of boobies to overflow. Sizing is super important here!
- Relaxed: These breasts are similar to bell-shaped breasts because they hang lower than most other shapes and tend to droop. They are, however, fuller at the top and thinner at the bottom. This shape can overflow from your bra easily if the fit is incorrect because the top of the breast just has that little extra oomph.
MORE BRA FIT ISSUES
Finding a well-fitted bra is important not only for your comfort but to prevent any pain that can develop in the long term. Bra spillage is, unfortunately, not the only obstacle that you can face when trying to find the perfect bra. Here are some other fit issues you may encounter:
- Bra Straps Not Resting Correctly: Is your bra strap falling down or digging into your shoulder? This is a sign of either an incorrect fit or an indication that your bra has reached the end of its lifespan. Bras stretch over time so when you notice your bra sagging or cutting into your skin anywhere, it may be time to let it go.
- Wire Resting On Breast Tissue: It’s called an underwire for a reason, my dudes, and if it’s sitting anywhere other than under the boob, something is not right. The culprit here is likely that the band is too big. You want a band that fits snugly on the last hook so that it can be adjusted as the bra stretches over time.
- Gaping Cups: This one is the opposite to the main issue we’re discussing today but it has a similar solution. If your cup is gaping then you likely need a smaller cup size. This is a common one for people whose breasts are bulkier at the bottom. A different bra style like a balconette or even a push up bra might also fix the problem.
HOW TO COMBAT BRA SPILLAGE?
Now that we’ve touched upon all the specifics of an overflowing bra, let’s look at the ways we can combat it. Fabric and fit are the two magic words!
FABRIC
You already know the drill, natural is always best! A durable yet soft fabric is a must for a great bra and to avoid bra overflow. You want something that will comfortably mold to your body yet isn’t flimsy enough that it will stretch out within two or three months.
- Hemp: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, hemp is the best fabric for all of your underthings. It’s strong and less prone to stretching and sagging over time but it’s still soft, gentle, and molds to your body. Not to mention, it’s antibacterial and its antibacterial properties don’t diminish even after many washes.
- Organic Cotton: Cotton is the go-to in the traditional underwear industry and over here we love organic cotton as another option for a comfy bra. Organic cotton is breathable and made to last long, as well, but without all the nasty environmental impact that traditional cotton creates. When you have a choice between organic cotton vs cotton, always go with organic!
STYLE/FIT
We’ve done the whole spiel on boob shapes so now let’s talk about the styles that will give your unique tatas the best fit.
- Full Coverage: A well-fitted, full coverage bra is great for preventing boob spillage for all breast shapes. It’s especially great for the shapes more prone to it like asymmetrical, bell, and relaxed boobs. Try the racerback bralette if you’re looking for a comfy, sustainable version. It’s sure to give you the support and coverage your boulders need.
- Plunge: A bra with a plunging neckline, like the triangle bralette, is not the best choice for all breast shapes as it can cause some overflow in the middle. However, for smaller breast sizes and athletic, round, and teardrop breast shapes, it will do a great job of preventing side bra overflow and enhancing your cleavage.
CONCLUSION: BRA OVERFLOW
Women are opting for comfort when it comes to bras these days, so there should be no reason for you to struggle with an ill-fitting bra. Whether you’re planning to stick with traditional underwire or you’re on the lookout for some cozier bra alternatives, I hope this marks the start of your perfect fit journey.
Do you struggle with bra spillage or any of the other fit issues mentioned above? Is this something you take care of immediately or just push through with gritted teeth? Hey, bras are expensive, there’s no shame in trying to make it work even when it clearly doesn’t. But you and your titties deserve better!
Share your experiences with bra overflow and other bra fit issues in the comments so we can all bond over the struggle of the extra weight we have to carry!
