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From Underwire Pain to All-Day Comfort: How to Troubleshoot Common Bra Fit Issues
We know that feeling... the end-of-day bra peel-off followed by a deep sigh of relief. For many, it’s become the norm. From underwire pain to straps that just won’t stop slipping, discomfort is too often accepted as part and parcel of wearing a bra.
At She Science, we don’t think you should have to settle. Your bra should feel like a support act, not a daily battle.
If you're dealing with chafing, digging or underwire pain, it's usually your bra's way of telling you something's not quite right with the fit.
The good news? These issues are often easy to resolve once you understand how the band and cups are working (or not working) for you. A well-fitted bra doesn’t just feel better, it supports your body, your confidence, and your lifestyle.
The Agony of Underwire Pain (And Why It Happens)
The Problem: Your underwire is digging into your ribs, poking your armpit, or sitting directly on your sensitive breast tissue. This is arguably the most common sign of a serious bra fit mismatch, often resulting in bruising, tenderness and giving you that "fiddle factor" having to reposition your underwires 100 times a day.
The Solution: In 90% of cases, underwire pain is caused by the cup size being too small. When the cup is too small, the breast tissue cannot sit fully inside the wire casing, forcing the wire forward and onto the breast root or sideways into the armpit.
(Pssst! And, if it's not the fit that is casuing all your underwire woes, did you know we also offer a great range of wire free options)
The underwire must fully encapsulate your breast tissue, resting on the ribs and breastbone (sternum). If the wire floats away, pokes, or rests on breast tissue, you need a larger cup and possibly a more projected cup shape. A professional bra fitter can instantly tell if your wires are seated correctly, transforming your experience from agony to secure support.
Digging Straps & Unnecessary Shoulder Strain
The Problem: You constantly tighten your straps to get lift, leading to straps digging deep into your shoulders, causing indentations and muscle strain.
The Solution: The straps provide only about 20% of the support for a well-fitting bra; the remaining 80% comes from the band. When the band is too loose, the straps must overcompensate to provide lift, resulting in excessive pressure on the shoulders.
If your straps are digging, the first step is always to check the band size. If you can pull the band more than a couple of inches away from your back, or if it rides up when you move, it’s too loose. A firmer band allows you to loosen the straps for comfortable lift that is distributed across your back and torso, not focused solely on your shoulders. Learn how to identify this fit mismatch with our Bra Fitting Video Tutorials.
🎥 This video explains 'How a bra should fit and why'
The Back Band Ride-Up (we call this the see-saw effect)
The Problem: Throughout the day, your band slowly creeps up your back, sitting higher than the front of your bra.
The Solution: The bra band is the anchor of the garment and the main source of support. If it is riding up, it is simply too loose. This instability means the bra cannot provide proper horizontal or vertical lift, leading to the breast tissue moving and often causing the cups to slouch.
A properly fitted band should sit parallel to the floor both front and back. When trying on a new bra, you should be able to fit two fingers (but no more) comfortably under the clasp. If your band is riding up, you need to go down a band size (e.g., from a 12E to a 10F) to restore the integrity of the fit. This adjustment immediately contributes to all-day comfort and better shaping.
The Quad-Boob Effect - When Cups Don’t Contain
The Problem: Breast tissue is spilling out of the top or sides of the cups, creating an unflattering bulge under clothing.
The Solution: This is a clear indicator that your cup size is too small. Cups should smoothly contain all breast tissue without compression or overflow. While going up a cup size is the most common fix (e.g., from a D to a DD), it’s also important to consider the cup shape.
If the spillage is only at the top, you might need a fuller coverage style. If it’s under the arms, you need a bra with wider side wings or a deeper cup. Don't waste time trying to squeeze into a smaller size; embrace the size that gives you the smooth silhouette and support you deserve. Explore our range of Everyday Bras to find the right coverage for your shape.
The Final Step to All-Day Comfort
Discomfort is not something you must endure. Every fit issue is solvable with the right knowledge and the right bra. While knowing How To Measure Your Bra Size at home is helpful, the nuanced support required for true comfort often requires specialist guidance.
The quickest path to resolving underwire pain and achieving guaranteed all-day comfort is through a specialist fitting. Our team of experienced professional bra fitters can identify subtle issues—like poor wire placement or incorrect cup depth—that an online chart can never measure.
Ready to find your perfect fit? Stop troubleshooting and start experiencing true comfort. Book a Bra Fitting with our Specialists today.
One of the lucky ones located in Victoria?
Book in a Bra Fitting with one of our experienced Bra Fitters. Our unique offering is available out of our fitting suite in Hawthorn.
Our fitting suite is perfect for teens as it ensures a very private experience - they will have the whole fitting suite to themselves which we find reduces anxiety around the bra fitting experience.
We offer 18 industry leading brands in cup sizes A-J and band sizes 6-22 so we're sure to have something for your teenager.
We run strictly by appointment (and are often booked out) so don't forget to make a booking before you arrive 💁🏽♀️
She Science, our Specialty Bra Store offers cup sizes A - J and band sizes 6 - 30. We work with 16 industry leading brands from all over the world. Our comprehensive Sports and Everyday Bra fitting service is available by appointment, out of our fitting suite in Hawthorn, Melbourne (Australia). Come on in and we'll find you your best match taking in to account your size, shape, activity demands and personal style preferences. Our team of experienced bra fitters would love to meet you.
- Tish Tily
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