Best Bras for Uneven Breasts with Different Cup Sizes

Many women have asymmetrical or uneven breasts, where one breast is a different size and/or shape than the other. This breast asymmetry is actually very common. And while slight differences are normal, more noticeable unevenness can cause self-consciousness about appearance. It can also make it challenging to find bras that fit properly.

The good news is that there are great bra options made specifically for asymmetrical breasts.

Understanding Breast Asymmetry

Breast asymmetry simply means your breasts are uneven in size and/or shape. One breast might be larger all over, or just project further. Often one side is more bottom-heavy with more tissue near the ribcage, while the other has fuller upper tissue near the collar bone.

Breast asymmetry has many possible causes, including:

• Natural variations in tissue distribution
• Changes after pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Weight loss or gain
• Medical conditions
• Breast surgeries

Your right and left breasts actually have separate lymph node systems and blood supplies feeding tissue growth. This may lead to subtle differences, too.

But whether the differences are minimal or more noticeable, wearing regular bras can be frustrating when you have uneven breasts. This is because standard bras are manufactured with two equal cups. And so when your breasts don’t perfectly match these proportions, it results in a poor fit and discomfort.

In general, too small cups overflow with tissue. Too large cups buckle with empty space. Straps are likely to strain to adjust for fit inconsistencies. And underwires may poke or press painfully.

Overall support gets compromised, as bras can’t do their job properly without correct sizing for each unique breast.

Best Bras for Uneven Breast Sizes

Everyone deserves bras with proper support and coverage.

Here are the top styles for comfortably fitting — and even disguising — breast asymmetry of all kinds:

Padded Bras With Removable Inserts

Padded bras are extremely versatile for creating an even look when needed. Many feature pockets in one or both cups where you can insert a removable padding. The pads are soft and lightweight and are usually available in various thicknesses up to a half inch.

With this customization, you can balance out your breasts’ proportions simply by adding more padding to the smaller side. Less obvious asymmetry can also be covered, or very noticeable cup size differences smoothed out. All you need to do is to adjust and wear more or less padding as desired each day under tops.

Many popular everyday T-shirts and molded cup bras include pockets for removable pads, as do strapless and multiway styles. Just avoid excessive padding and adjust accordingly to ensure that your breasts still look natural.

Plunge Bras

A plunge bra is designed with a lowering V-neck center panel for wearing under lower necklines. As such, the underwire and cups are set closer together and constructed projected outward. This shape is naturally more adjustable for closely fitting uneven breasts.

A plunge bra keeps each breast settled into its own defined space without spilling or pressing tissue uncomfortably. The more compressed cup shape also helps conceal size differences.

These bras are available padded or unlined.

Adjustable Straps

Bras with adjustable straps allow you to find just the right tightness. With adjustable stripes, all you need to mask any asymmetry is to make each strap longer or shorter as needed to get your breasts sitting evenly at the bra base.

You want the band to ride straight across your back. Straps that are set to different lengths will pull on the larger breast or gap with the smaller. Ensuring proper alignment here helps support your unique asymmetry.

Many times, one underwire fits well while the other pokes painfully due to extending higher on a smaller breast. If both underwires tack properly, then adjust the straps separately.

Convertible and racerback designs also offer more ways to tweak the fit.

Asymmetric Bras

Yes, you can now buy a bra purposefully designed for the differences you’re dealing with!

Known as asymmetric or uneven bras, these each feature one cup manufactured larger and differently shaped right next to a smaller cup. Asymmetric bras skip all padding and alterations — the unique right and left patterns automatically match your anatomy exactly.

These highly functional bras come in t-shirts, sports, convertible, front close, compression, and nearly any other style you might want. However, your best fit will always be with a bra specially crafted for your own asymmetry.

How to Find Your Asymmetric Bra Size

Getting properly sized is key to an ideal fit and comfort, especially when dealing with uneven breasts. Since traditional measurement methods assume symmetry, use the following approach instead:

Determine Your Larger Breast

First, figure out which breast is the largest overall. Examine them standing upright naked in the mirror. Gently cup beneath each, feeling for firm breast tissue around the sides and up into the underarms that may not be obvious by sight alone. One breast likely projects more or hangs lower.

Find its Individual Bra Size

Measure just the larger breast to determine its own bra cup size:

1. Wrap a soft measuring tape around your ribcage right under your breasts to measure band size.
2. Stand straight and measure the largest breast at its fullest point across the nipples. Generally, each inch of difference between this number and band size equals one cup size.
3. Fine-tune the cup for a snug fit without spillage or gapping. For the larger side, err on the smaller cup if between sizes so the base fits well.

You now have the larger breast's cup size with your band measurement. For example, 36DD would be the larger breast's size with a 36-inch underbust.

Size the Smaller Breast

Next, measure only the smaller side:

1. Again, use your underbust for the band size.
2. Cup the smaller tissue firmly and measure straight across the nipple.
3. Convert this new difference from band size to the smaller cup size. Don't size down or the tissue may overspill.

Following the example above, the smaller breast might measure at a 34D cup size.

Find an Asymmetric Bra in Those Sizes

Your bra size is the combination that fits both breasts best. Using the example sizing, this would be a 36DD with a smaller 34D cup. Search for “36DD/34D” asymmetric bras from popular brands.

With an uneven bra sized correctly, your breasts will each be fully supported and separated for comfort. And in such a case, padding is not needed to balance proportions. The specialized cup shapes will automatically match your unique asymmetry while holding everything in place.

Other Bra Fitting Considerations for Uneven Breasts

Along with the right size asymmetric style, you should also consider the following fit factors when shopping for bras:

Cup Shape

The shape and angle of bra cups affect support. Shallow cups don't fully encase pendulous breasts while very projected cups leave gaps.

Look for cups matching your larger breast's needs with immediate depth at the underwire. Cup separation is also key so that your asymmetric tissue stays fully inside each cup.

Underwire Placement

The underwire should fully encase breast tissue. It shouldn’t sit on or poke it painfully.

A too-narrow or too-wide center core will distort fit. And so pay attention to where the underwire tracks on each side - you want it to follow the breast perimeter without alteration after swooping all tissue into cups.

Band Tightness

The entire band should ride parallel to the floor without shifting up or down. Adjust to very firm on the loosest hooks so it can still support as the material stretches. For minor size differences, sizing up in cup size and then tightening straps often helps.

Fabric Choice

Unlined bras and soft cups with stretch easily adapt to asymmetry. Look for knits with at least 20% spandex. Avoid stiff, rigid cups or scratchy lace. Inner slings also support and separate. Pay attention to any irritation, folding, or bulging to identify fit needs.

Style and Support Tips for Uneven Breasts

Besides a well-fitting bra, use these style tricks to keep your asymmetry feeling comfortable and confidently concealed:

Opt for Molded Cup Styles

While unlined bras fit asymmetry well, construction-wise, visible seamlines and edges can emphasize unevenness under clothing. Smooth molded cups minus the exterior detail hide shape differences better while smoothly encasing your tissue.

Camouflage Cleavage

A racerback or strapless bra boosts support while allowing you to wear outer layers that fully skim and disguise your shape. Higher necklines, ruffles, patterns, and properly draped fabrics easily mask asymmetry when desired without compromising fit.

Mind the Middle Panel

A too-wide, narrow, or angled center does nothing but over-emphasize and distort your uneven proportions. Look for a low, straight seam with immediate projection to keep your breasts comfortably settled into their own defined space.

Level Any Shift

Fabric staggering or a slipping cup instantly spotlights asymmetry. Ensure straps stay put and gently bring any shifted tissue back into place throughout the day. Proper posture can also help keep everything aligned.

Achieving Comfort and Confidence

A majority of women have breasts that appear a little different in size and shape. And more severe asymmetry can pose frustrating bra fit and appearance challenges. But you deserve to feel as comfortable and confident as anyone else.

Rather than struggling with ill-fitting standard bras, give yourself the gift of a bra specifically designed for your body.

Pay attention to individual fit needs and construction. And experiment until you find a style with an ideal lift, fabric, and proportions to complement your asymmetry.