Will My Bra Size Change When I Lose Weight?
The only constant in life is change. The same is true of bodies and bra fitting. We’re always getting questions about how body changes impact bra fit. Most often this is in the context of, “Will my bra size change when I lose weight?” But you’ve also asked us how or if things like pregnancy, a new weightlifting hobby, or health issues will impact the fit of your bra. Our answer is usually something like, “Maybe?” And it pleases literally no-one. But we’re not being vague on purpose! It’s just that we genuinely can’t know for sure how that bra will fit when your body changes.
Every body is different.
Each body is unique and unpredictable, and you’re the only expert on yours. There are some general assumptions we can make with regards to bra fit and body changes – for example, during pregnancy – but whether you’re losing weight or gaining, we can’t predict exactly what your boobs will do. Some people will notice a difference in their band size (rib circumference), some in their cup size (bust measurement), and some see a change in both or neither.
Should you buy what fits your current body, or your future body?
With the exception of maternity and nursing bras, I tend to recommend buying what fits you now. Buying a bra that fits the body you have means you’ll get better support and probably be more comfortable. If you anticipate that your size will change, usually the best course of action is to plan a re-fit for a couple of months down the road. While you’re in transition, you can keep costs down by having two bras in rotation. That way you have one to wear while the other’s being washed, but you’re not splashing out on a ton of pieces that may not fit in a couple of months. Get re-fit for two new ones when your size changes again. When your size stabilizes, then you can build a bigger bra wardrobe if you want.
Hack your bra!
There are ways to get more wear out of your bras when your size is fluctuating. If you’re finding the band a little tight, throw on an extender for more breathing room. And if the band’s loose, you can wear it on a tighter set of hooks or have it altered. These are great options when the cups of your bra are still fitting well! Unfortunately, if the cups are on the roomy side or giving you quad-boob, there’s not really a fix for that. If you know that your boobs go up and down in size, try to choose bras that have some stretch at the top of the cup. It won’t cover big changes, but it’ll give you more wiggle room than a firmer fabric.
Bodies are complicated, and bra fitting’s not much simpler. But with the right support and a little flexibility, change doesn’t have to be stressful.
Queenie broaderip
I’id like to know about how bra sizes change with menopause..
Shavaun Jamieson
Thank you, Queenie, that’s a great idea for a post! I’ll see if I can put one together next month.