Bra Spillage? Why it Happens and How to Prevent It

Spilling out of your bra can not only be uncomfortable but unsightly too. Bra spillage can create a bumpy “quad-boob” look under form-fitting shirts, and no one wants to risk having a wardrobe malfunction bending over to pick something up. 

If you’re spilling out of your bra, don’t worry, there is help! Keep reading to learn what the common causes of bra spillage are and how to fix it. 

Why do I fall out of my bra?

Bra spillage is more common than you might think. The key to preventing it is by knowing why it happens. 

Bra overflow happens when the top of the breast tissue doesn’t fit into the cup of the bra. This can happen for a variety of reasons or a combination of them. 

• Cup size. If you’re wearing a cup that’s too small the cups won’t properly cover the correct amount of breast tissue. This amount of coverage varies from style to style. 
• Band size. If your band is too tight it can cause the cups to stretch farther apart than they’re supposed to, resulting in the edge of the cups cutting into your breast tissue.
• Breast type. There are several different types of breasts and not all fit into every type of bra. We’ll go over the different breast types and what styles suit them best a little bit later.
• Uneven breasts. Most women have one breast that’s larger than the other with different degrees of severity. Some women barely notice the difference while for other women it can cause a problem when it comes to finding a bra that fits properly. When bra shopping you should base your fit on your larger breast. If there’s a large gap in the other cup you can always add an insert or some padding.

How do you know if your bra cup is too small?

If your breasts are spilling out of the top of your bra it could be either your cup size or it could be the cup style.

The best way to figure out what’s causing the problem is to measure yourself and make sure that you’re wearing the right size. 

Measure your band size by using a tape measure. Wrap the tape measure around your back and chest going under the arms and just above the bustline. Round to the nearest whole number. This will give you your band size. Next, measure across the fullest part of your bust. 

Subtract your chest measurement from your bust measurement to determine your cup size: 

• 1 inch = A cup
• 2 inches = B cup
• 3 inches = C cup
• 4 inches = D cup

Add a cup size for every additional inch

What if you’re wearing the correct cup size but you're still spilling out? It’s time to take a look at your breast type and bra style and see if they’re compatible with each other. 

Breast types and cup styles

There are many different breast types and not everyone fits into just one. There is no right or wrong when it comes to what type of breast you have, but knowing is helpful in choosing bra styles that are the most flattering. 

Pick the type most like yours and find the styles that are most complimentary.

Breast Types:

• Asymmetrical: One breast is larger than the other. Most women have asymmetrical breasts to some degree with the typical difference being a half cup size or less. 
• Athletic: Muscular and wider with little breast tissue.
• Bell Shaped: Slimmer at the top and fuller on the bottom
• Close Set: Close-set breasts have little to no gap in between leaving more space between the breast and the underarm. 
• Conical: More cone-shaped than round. Cone-shaped breasts are more typical of smaller breast sizes.
• East-West: East-West type breasts have nipples that point outward. 
• Relaxed: More loose breast tissue with nipples that point downward.
• Round: Round breasts are equally full on the top and bottom creating a round shape. 
• Side Set: Set farther apart with a wide space in the center of the chest. 
• Slender: Long and narrow, pointing downward.
• Teardrop: Round in shape at the bottom  but with less fullness at the top

Popular bra styles and the breast types they flatter the most

Full Coverage

• Cups that cover all of the breast tissue, and come in both lined and unlined styles
• Best for: All breast types
• Visit our Full Coverage Bra Collection

T-Shirt Bras

• Seamless with lightly lined, molded cups. They come with or without an underwire. Perfect for creating a smooth look under tight-fitting clothing. 
• Best for: All breast types
• Visit our T-Shirt Bra Collection

Demi Bra 

• Cut horizontally across the top of the cup like a balconette bra, but lower.
• Best for Bell-shaped, slender, or teardrop breasts as it helps to create a bit more fullness at the top of the breast. 

Balconette

• Typically unlined and cut horizontally across the top of the cup; made to provide subtle lift. 
• Best for: All breast types, especially fuller types, however, this type is more likely to create spillage if the fit is too small.

Push-up bra

• These are padded with extra padding on the bottom of the cup to lift the breasts up and push them closer together creating enhanced cleavage. 
• Best for: All breast types, especially smaller or athletic types, however likely to create spillage if the cup size is too small. Push up bras with removable padding can be good for asymmetrical breasts. 

No matter what type of breast you have, you can wear whatever style you like provided it fits you well. The key to bra bliss is in finding the right fit for your body. 

No matter what style you choose, make sure that you choose a quality brand and take care of your bras. Machine laundering can cause the material and padding to wear faster and lose shape. 

Whatever style you choose we’re sure to have something that fits like it was made for you.