22 Best Bras for Large Busts 2022

Freno says it’s important to look for a fitted and secure band, first and foremost. “The snug band is going to create a ‘shelf’ to offer that support,” she says. “If the band is too loose, [your] breasts will sag and pull the bra down in the front. This causes the back of the bra to ‘ride up’ and the straps to dig into the shoulders.”

“Features that stand out in a bra for larger breasts include fuller coverage cups that are comfortable and supportive, a wide band with a smoothing silhouette, and straps that stay put but never dig in,” Cohen adds.

If your breasts are close-set, Freno advises you to avoid bras that have a tall center gore, which is the section in between the cups. “Ideally, this part should lie flat against the sternum,” she says. “If there is not much separation between breasts, there may not be enough room for the gore to settle in between. In this case, a plunge-style bra would be perfect. The shorter center gore takes up less space and will ensure the garment will fit more comfortably.”

Don’t worry about spilling out of a plunge style. Freno says that’s only a risk if the cup size is too small.“The things larger-chested shoppers should avoid in a bra are things every shopper should avoid, like thin, flimsy straps that are either too tight that they dig in, or too loose that they fall off the shoulder. Also, exposed elastic bands can rub and cause discomfort, along with scratchy tags and labels and bulky cups that weigh you down,” per Cohen.

“Just like jeans shopping, it is important to keep in mind that, regardless of the size on the inside tag, there may be styles and brands that feel better on you than others,” Freno says. “It is a trial-and-error process that differs from person to person.”

According to Freno, “Before taking measurements, you will want to be wearing a bra and also have a soft measuring tape handy. The breast tissue will need to be lifted but not compressed, so please be sure to steer clear of sports bras and minimizers for this. To begin, start by taking your band measurement which should be snug around your ribcage in inches, directly under your bust and level all around. The next measurement will be your bust. This will be taken at the fullest part of your breast tissue, which is usually along the nipple line. Make sure the tape is even all the way around. This measurement should be snug, but not tight. Please be sure not to squish down your breast tissue. Consider your body type as well. Are you petite, average, curvy? There are different types of bra styles out there that will be better suited for certain breast shapes and body sizes over others. The cut, coverage, and fabrication of a bra style all impact how the bra will fit depending on these factors. Knowing your body and paying attention to which styles flatter your figure best is key.”

“Look for issues with your current fit,” Cohen says. “Identifying common problems, like gaping cups and slipping straps, can determine which size bra you should actually be wearing and whether you need to go up or down a size (or a half cup size). Then, identify your breast shape.”

Cohen broke down five different shapes of breasts for us: athletic, bell, relaxed, East West, and round. Here’s how she evaluates each.

Athletic Boobs: Wider boobs with more muscle and less tissue tend to have a problem with cup gaping. Due to this, we recommend T-shirt-style bras.

Bell Boobs: These boobs are slimmer at the top, and fuller at the bottom. This normally characterizes someone as a larger cup size, and they may experience overflow with minimal coverage styles like a balconette or demi. Instead, try a full-coverage bra that features wider, memory foam straps that provide support, but never dig in.

Relaxed Boobs: These are boobs that have lax tissue and nipples pointing downward. Since these tend to be longer breasts that hang, try a balconette style that has a slightly shorter cup for more fullness at the top.

East West: The boobs that don’t get along. These are the ones, just as the name suggests, with nipples that point to the east and west, creating wide-set breasts. If you are struggling to achieve cleavage with certain tops, look for full coverage bras that will help bring your breasts up and together.

Round: While most styles may work for your shape, try a wireless bra for days when you want light support, or a balconette style when you want an ultra-flattering fit.

“Sister sizing is a technique where the band size and cup size are altered to determine an alternate size,” Freno says. “For example, if someone measures 32DD but the 32-inch band of their bra feels too tight, while the DD cup feels just right, you could try the sister size, 34D, to achieve a looser-fitting band, but the same size cup. Finding the correct bra fit is so much more than measurements. Try not to focus too much on the bra size and pay attention to the fit and support that you receive. That is what matters most!”

“One option is a minimizer bra that compresses and reshapes breasts to have less projection in appearance, but could also reduce your bust measurement down one inch,” says Thompson. “It’s a great bra style to have in your collection, especially for button-down shirt days.” According to Cohen, these styles typically don’t have foam and offer a lot of support.

Another great option to try is any unlined, unpadded bra, Thompson adds. “Less padding or no padding will naturally have less projection.”

Tracy Freno is the senior manager of customer service at Bare Necessities.

Ra’el Cohen is the co-founder and chief creative officer of ThirdLove.

Dionne Thompson is the director of design, intimates/innovation at Torrid.