I first found out about Breakout Bras from a friend, who told me that they offered swimwear in bigger cup sizes. I had never been able to wear a bikini before in my life. I have been a DD cup since 7th grade. I could usually only find boring beige bras, and if I was lucky, black. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I wasn’t a 36DD but a 30H! I found not just one or two bras, but multiples, in so many colors, and a wide variety of swimwear! I was able to wear a swimsuit that fit for the first time since elementary school. I noticed they had a help wanted sign in the front. I asked a lot of questions about how they size and asked about working there, and the rest is history. I worked at Breakout Bras as a fitter for four years, and now I’m the Digital Design and Marketing Director.
I cannot tell you how invaluable Breakout Bras has been to my life. Growing up, I struggled with a negative body image. I was very self-conscious about having big breasts and was teased about it. I would hunch my shoulders over to try to hide how big my boobs were. I would seek out minimizer styles to try and look as small as possible. It was through working at Breakout Bras that I began to feel comfortable in my own skin and more confident. Having a correctly fitted bra made my clothes fit better, helped ease my back pain, and made me look smaller. I didn’t feel like what defined me was being "the girl with huge boobs". Through fitting customers, I realized that the average body type isn’t what’s portrayed in the media; it's not average at all. Over time, it didn’t matter to me anymore if I looked small or not. I accepted that I looked the way I do, and it was beautiful.
There are many reasons why someone could have physical challenges putting on a typical bra -- arthritis, disabilities that hinder range of motion in your arms and/or hands, broken wrists, hands, or arms, or multiple types of surgical recovery -- just to name a few. Depending on your range of motion, there are several different styles that we recommend for these issues. Several of these bra styles are technically labelled as post-op bras, however, don't let that fool you. These bras provide great support and are very accessible for those with other physical limitations.
For someone who has limited shoulder rotation, fastening your bras behind your back may prove to be difficult. The solution we recommend is to opt for front-closure styles. The Leading Lady 110 is an excellent bra that hooks in the front instead of the back, as well as Anita's Salvia. If the customer is a fuller cup size, the Enell Lite bra is a great front closure option and a long-time bestseller. There’s also the Lynn, by Anita, that front fastens with a zipper, and Savona Cathy, by Cosabella, that front fastens with Velcro, if hooks are too hard to manage.
If you have a wider range of motion with your shoulders but not in your hands or fingers, a pull over style, like an Evelyn and Bobbie or a Cosabella bralette, would be ideal. We also carry multiple post-op bras by Anita and CareFix, that are designed for recovering from breast surgery. (More details on post-op bra fitting coming soon.) You can also always schedule an in-person or virtual fitting appointment if you have any further questions.
The author, Kelly Gaines, has worked 12 years in the special needs field, providing Occupational Therapy training as an Early Interventionist, and as a personal aide for a person who has Cerebral Palsy. She also has four years of experience as a Breakout Bras bra fitter.
As warmer weather approaches, so does the wedding and prom season and the hunt for your special outfits and dresses. These special occasions are exciting and fun, but sometimes shopping for them isn’t. For whatever reason, designers forget that women wear bras when they design their clothes, clearly thinking that most are an A or B cup size. So, what’s a girl to do?
Over the past 24 years in business, we’ve fitted all types of breasts into all types of outfits. Here are a few expert pointers we’d like to pass along to you when you’re considering what to buy and what bra you’ll need to wear to go with it.
Clothes buying goes ten times more smoothly when you already have your properly fitted undergarments beforehand. They truly are the foundation of any outfit. A poorly fitted bra can make even the cutest outfit look a little drab, so our #1 piece of advice is to choose your undergarments first and then find your dress or top. Getting the shape and support you want from your bra will only make your chosen outfit look that much better, and you won’t be left fiddling with your undergarments all event long.
However, we know and understand that some people just see that perfect dress or special top and must have it. The task now is to figure out how to make it work. We’re here to help, with many solutions available to get you ready to showcase your chosen garment. We highly recommend that you bring your dress or outfit with you to try on bras and shapewear. It just takes the guesswork out of the equation, ensuring you get exactly what you need the first time!
Another consideration when shopping is finding dress shapes that suit your body type. For more information on body types, check out the Breast and Body Type page on our website. Here are examples of styles we’ve observed that have worked very well over the years. Mermaid dresses that hug the figure and flare out at the bottom look phenomenal on a pear, hourglass, or inverted triangle-shaped body. If you're more of a rectangle, round, or diamond shape, an A-line dress will look fantastic. It will nip in at the narrowest part of the body, usually under the breast, and really accentuate the bustline, and then the full skirt will accommodate a fuller figure. If you’re an inverted triangle, it will also balance out the shoulders. A slinky figure-hugging dress also looks really great on rectangle, hourglass, or pear-shaped bodies. By choosing a dress that fits your body well and pairing it with a bra that nicely sculpts your bust and offers maximum support, you can create a truly show-stopping look. You’ll be turning heads wherever you go!
Here at Breakout Bras, we have all kinds of solutions for you! We have strapless bras that go up to a UK J cup and several adhesive bra options. But, more importantly, we have some practical advice for what bra options best fit your individual bust size and shape.
So, let’s be real about our boobs.
If your breasts mostly keep their shape once you take your bra off but just sit a little lower, that low-plunge, low-back dress should look great. However, for those of you that weren’t gifted by the perfect boob fairy, that dress will have us worrying about having a Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction at any moment, which is definitely not how you want to spend your time in that one-of-a-kind, show-stopping outfit.
We do have adhesive bras and tape that work great for the low plunge and/or low back dresses and tops (aka the problem children of the bra fitting community, lol). For example, we carry a product called Nood, which is essentially an adhesive cup. The size 4 Nood will easily support up to a UK H cup size, but the shaping won’t be as rounded or uplifted if you have heavier breasts or shallow and soft breast tissue. Here’s a picture for reference of the type of shaping you'd get from Nood if your breasts aren’t naturally perky:
She’s definitely getting more lift and support than if she weren’t wearing a bra at all, but her breasts are not as rounded or lifted as they would be if she were wearing a strapless bra like the Curvy Kate Luxe shown below:
Booby Tape is another adhesive option. This product is great for a variety of low-back or oddly cut styles that would show the bra underneath. However, as with the Nood, you'll be hard-pressed to get a rounded shape if your breasts are heavy or you have softer tissue. Here are some examples of what you can do with Booby Tape:
As you can see in the third picture, if you have larger breasts, the tape will lift them up, but it needs to have that support on the shoulder, which wouldn’t work in a strapless style. You may need to apply the tape as shown in the first picture, but your breasts are going to have a flatter, more smooshed look instead of being round and lifted. We recommend avoiding a low-back strapless or a low-plunge strapless garment all together if you have larger, heavier breasts. The tape is a good solution for most, but again, we want you to be supported like this:
And not to be spilling out, not having your breasts lifted into the cup portion of the dress, or having your tape showing like this:
For people who have heavy breasts or soft or shallow tissue, a strapless bra or a regular bra will be what gives the best support and shape. Dresses that have a sweetheart, square, or straight across neckline will work best with those bras and breast types.
Here are some examples of what those necklines look like:
We have some great strapless options that would work for almost any of those dresses! The only situation where the bras might not work is when the neckline plunges too much. Since 100% of your support is coming from your band, you want to make sure it’s nice and tight, particularly if you have heavier breasts. That firm band is what is going to keep it from sliding down. Likewise, the center wire and cup in a strapless bra are going to need to be taller to help distribute the weight of your breasts and support them since you don’t have straps to help. If your breasts are heavy and you have a plunge-style strapless bra, the weight of your breasts is going to pull the bra down, or your breasts will pop out of the center of the cups without the extra support of the taller center wire. That’s why our plunge strapless bras aren't available in cup sizes larger than a UK H cup.* If you’re in a larger size than that, you really need the extra support to keep everything in place. You want to enjoy your special occasion, be it a cocktail party, prom, wedding, or just because. You don’t want to worry about constantly pulling at your bra.
Here are some great strapless options that we have available that work for heavier breasts or breasts that have soft and shallow tissue:
We hope this blog has included information that you've found helpful for picking out your outfit and bra for your special occasion! Be sure to check our YouTube channel soon for video commentary on this topic!
*Exciting News: Since writing this article, Curvy Kate has come out with a new strapless style that goes to a UK J cup and is plunge. It’s not available for sale yet. It will ship to us within the next few weeks and we will update you on how it fits on the blog and in Melissa's Comments on the website!
**Images of dresses courtesy of David's Bridal and Dillard's
Here at Breakout Bras, we carry one of the largest bra size selections anywhere in the country. We carry 26–56 bands and AA–P cups. Our size range results in one of the best fittings available! So how is it that you sometimes feel like we don’t have much to offer? It could have something to do with your bra requirements and/or preferences.
Most people are used to the bras that department stores and bigger retailers offer, which consist of mostly seamless, t-shirt-type bras that only go to DD or DDD in the cups, so they come in asking for what’s familiar. We also completely understand that most women want a smooth look under their clothes, but what they don’t realize is that this limits their access to over 90% of the other bras that we offer, most of which would give them a significantly better fit. That’s right, 90 percent!
Seams are not there to irritatingly show through your favorite outfits. Seams are there for shaping, supporting, and lifting your breasts—something a seamless bra just doesn’t offer. The seams will bring your breast in and up, whereas a seamless bra cannot shape your breast more than what your natural breast shape already is or what the pre-formed molded cups of the bra dictate. In seamed, cut-and-sown bras, the seams allow for the shaping of the entire cup and, therefore, the entire bust. It also ensures there’s no empty space at the top of the cups, which often happens with molded styles, even the size is correct.
There’s also the customer’s bra size to consider. In a correct fit, the most common size is around a 34 H or HH. I know that sounds large, but most women who come into our store currently wearing a D or DD cup size are in that range when correctly fitted.
Most smooth, seamless bras stop at around a G cup. There are very few styles that go up to an H, even one of two that go to the HH. Even if the customer is in a smaller cup size, seamless bras only make up about 25% of the bras that are available in their size. So, I would encourage every customer to consider trying something outside of their comfort zone. We can provide many options for almost everyone that provide great support and shaping for their specific body, size, and breast shape. Take a chance on something new, and you’ll be amazed at the results!
“But I’m worried that the lines will show in my clothes” or “I’m worried that my nipples will show through.”
In terms of the seams showing, a good number of our suppliers have moved to “flat seams," so most newer releases show a lot less than some of the older legacy styles. Even those with more prominent seams will still smooth over time. You can also wear those with patterns or thicker shirts, regardless. Don’t take our word for it; here's a picture comparing a seamed bra and a seamless bra in a 28G, a 34H, and a 34J.
And this is with a brand-new seamed bra on! Also, notice the difference in the shaping. The seamless bra is wider-set and sits a little lower than the seamed bra. When you’re properly lifted and supported, it also provides a slimming effect, as you can see in the pictures.
Now, we’re not saying you shouldn’t buy a seamless bra ever; they’re a good addition to your bra wardrobe, just like a sports bra, a strapless bra, or any other specialty or occasion bra. In the correct size, any bra will look better than an ill-fitting bra. We just want you to have access to ALL the options that are available and not just limit yourself to one type of bra, just because that is the only type of bra you have experience with.
Now, to address the second question of, “Won’t my nipples show in a seamless bra?” Most of the time, if you place the nipple directly underneath the cross-seam in a seamed style, it keeps the nipples in the correct place and completely flattened, without padding or extra "petals." A seamless bra, especially spacer and lightly molded styles, usually won’t prevent them from showing any more than a seamed bra would, though a heavier padded or harder-molded bra would. Padded styles are also available with seams, like bras by the Polish brand Comexim, for example. So, you don’t have to limit yourself to just seamless to provide nipple coverage. However, if you are very concerned about nipple coverage, we also carry reusable nipple covers that can be worn with any style.
Having said all of that, it’s interesting to note that we have twelve fitters, ranging in age from 24 to almost 60, from petite to plus size, with a wide range of bra sizes, and they all almost exclusively wear seamed bras. Through their experience of fitting customers into various styles, all of whom have different body shapes and sizes, and with styles they've tried personally, they all agree that the shaping and support results from the seamed bras are far superior to those of a seamless bra. We want to see you in styles that offer you the best support and shaping possible. We won’t suggest something that won’t make you look and feel great! Give seamed bras a try today!
We interviewed our maternity and nursing bra sizing expert and a recent mother herself, Arielle, to give you the scoop on "What to Expect When Maternity Bra Fitting".
Arielle has been with Breakout Bras since 2005! So, she definitely knows her stuff when it comes to bra sizing. She's received extensive and thorough bra-fitting training from Breakout Bras’ owner, Melissa Thomason. In addition to her training and years before becoming a mom herself, she even read "What to Expect When Expecting", to give her a better understanding of how to explain the changes that happen during pregnancy to her customers. Talk about dedication! Even with all that knowledge, Arielle’s own pregnancy and motherhood journey has surprised her with new information and provided her with even more insight to help out our customers.
So, Arielle, when would you recommend getting fitted for a maternity bra?
"I recommend coming in to get sized for a maternity bra whenever you start to feel uncomfortable in your current bra. I see a lot of women trying to make their old bras work for as long as possible, but why would you want to be uncomfortable? Get one that feels good throughout your pregnancy. You'll be glad you did.
Maternity bras are non-nursing, stretchy bras with light to moderate support. However, most of those styles aren’t going to give you the same level of support you're used to. So, keep an open mind for trying different, non-maternity options. In fact, we fit the majority of our customers in regular bras for their pregnancy. They provide better support, containment, and shaping." Not all regular bras will work, though. We choose styles that are flexible, and almost all of them will have stretch lace to accommodate your changing body.
So how would you size a customer for a maternity bra?
"Well, I would have the bra band on a tighter setting, so they can make it looser as their ribcage expands throughout the pregnancy. If their ribcage expands more than expected, we also offer extenders. I find that most women end up not needing them, though. I would also fit the bra to be bigger in the cup size. Generally, one to two cup sizes up, depending on their current size and if this is their first kid. For most women we've helped over the years, we've found that during their first pregnancies, their breasts tend to get much bigger and much earlier compared to subsequent pregnancies. Women who have multiple pregnancies close together tend not to change much after the first one."
That’s some pretty interesting information! What about getting a nursing bra while you’re pregnant?
"I don’t usually suggest getting nursing bras until later in pregnancy. Their bodies are going to change so much, and the bra will stretch with them too. So, when it’s time to deliver, they likely won’t be able to use that nursing bra because it’s too stretched out. They're going to get a much better fit if they get a regular bra sized for maternity use. They can get the nursing bra when it's actually time to start breastfeeding.
However, if they really want a nursing option during pregnancy, they can choose to wear a soft-cup nursing bra that's stretchy and has light support. Then, after delivery, they can use that bra as a sleep bra. I would recommend the ‘Blossom’ by Royce and the ‘Body Silk’ by Bravado. Being fitted for a soft-cup nursing bra during pregnancy usually works better for customers who have a petite frame and are smaller in the bust. A regular bra will generally serve most women best, but especially if the customer is larger in the bust and has a smaller band size."
You mentioned getting a nursing bra later in pregnancy. How late should they get one?
"A month or so before their due date is when I would recommend a transitional nursing bra. A transitional nursing bra is one that comes in a size range and isn’t cup size specific. They’ll need this style because there isn’t a way to anticipate how much milk they're going to make or how much their breast or band size is going to fluctuate. On average, four to six weeks after delivery is when things have settled down enough to get a size-specific style, but you'll need a good transitional bra in the meantime. These styles work great for the last month of pregnancy when things are getting pretty uncomfortable, at the hospital when you need something to nurse your newborn in, and then afterwards as a sleep bra at night or when hanging around the house. Transitional bras are an investment well worth making.
Bravado Body Silk and Bravado Body Silk Full Cup are great bras that come in different size ranges. ‘Kiera ’by Goddess works really well for women with large breasts and a larger band size. The ‘Blossom’ by Royce is ideal for women with large breasts who have a smaller band size. If you’re opting for an underwired nursing bra, make sure the wire goes far back enough, past your underarm, so there's no wire pressure on their breast tissue. It's also best to choose styles made with stretch lace, so there will be room for growth and fluctuation."
That’s some very helpful information, Arielle! One last question: what if the customer can’t come into the retail store to get fitted?
Not a problem at all. Breakout Bras has helped women all over the country for over 20 years get fitted for their nursing bras via phone and email. I would recommend starting on the website with Breakout Bras’ Comprehensive Sizing Guide at www.breakoutbras.com/pages/fitting-guide. Then call or email Customer Service at 866-870-8911 or service@breakoutbras.com. We’re always happy to give style recommendations and sizing advice."
Great! Thanks again, Arielle, for passing along your knowledge on maternity bras! I look forward to hearing from you in Part II, "What to Expect When Nursing Bra Fitting"!
You finally got your bra size figured out. You stopped dealing with bands that ride up and cups that runneth over, and you found brands you can actually trust. Then summer hits, and the swim section is suddenly all small, medium, and large again. Frustrating, right?
Here’s the good news: if you already know your bra size, you’ve done most of the hard work. The swim brands we carry like Freya, Panache, Elomi, Fantasie, Comexim, Anita, and Miraclesuit, use the same band-and-cup system you already know and trust. You don’t have to start from scratch.
Your bra size is doing most of the work
Generic swim sizing assumes everybody, and every body, is proportional. That a bigger bust automatically means a bigger overall size. That isn’t how real bodies work. A 32E and a 38C have the same cup volume on paper, but they have completely different bands, shoulder widths, and torso lengths. Generic sizing tries to squeeze them both into the same “medium” and hopes for the best.
Bra-sized swimwear treats your bust independently from the rest of your body, the same way a correctly-fitted bra does.
That’s why we carry the brands we do. Freya, Panache, Elomi, Fantasie, Comexim, Anita, and Miraclesuit all design swimwear with real bra-style construction: underwires shaped for fuller busts, side-sling support panels, adjustable straps, and band sizing that runs from 28 to 44 (with sizes going well into J cup and beyond). These brands understand that a swimsuit isn’t just a bathing version of a tank top but instead is a foundation garment that happens to be made for water.
If you’ve already put in the work to find bras that fit, the same logic applies here.
What actually changes when you go from bra to swim
A swimsuit and a bra are built on the same basic architecture, but three things work a little differently in the water.
Underwire shape. Swim underwires often have a slightly softer curve than bra underwires. The wire may sit a touch differently against your ribcage. Think of it like the difference between a dress shoe and a beach sandal. Both are made for the same foot but built for different conditions.
Strap construction. Swim straps are usually wider, more durable, and slightly less stretchy than bra straps. They feel different on your shoulders, and adjustment matters more because elastic behaves differently when wet. Tighten your swim straps a little more than your bra straps, then check them after your first time in the water.
Closures and back adjustability. Most bikini tops fasten with plastic clasps at the back. One-pieces usually do the same, while tankinis often have hook-and-eye closures like a bra. The key difference is that most swim closures only offer one hooking position, unlike the multiple rows on a typical bra band. Getting your starting size right matters more here since you can’t easily adjust your way to a better fit the way you can with an everyday bra.
Translating your bra size to swim size
Here are the practical rules we use most often. Read through them, then double-check the specific brand sizing chart for the style you’re considering.
Brands run differently, and that’s normal
Even within bra-sized swimwear, no two brands or styles fit exactly the same. The differences are often small, but they can matter if you’re between sizes or trying something new. Here’s a quick guide to the brands we carry most often:
Freya — True to bra size and consistent across styles. Best for petite to medium frames and various breast shapes. Tends to offer lower-cut styles and more youthful colors and prints.
Panache — True to size with a slightly higher center gore and firmer wires. Excellent for a wide range of body frames and breast shapes, though it particularly excels for women with full, heavy breasts. Carries up to a UK K cup and tends to offer more balcony-shaped styles.
Elomi — Very reliable, especially in larger bands. Great for medium to plus-size frames and fuller busts with more side tissue. Offered up to a UK J/JJ and fits similarly to their plunge bras.
Comexim — Uses Polish sizing and runs one to two cups smaller compared to standard UK sizes. The wires are also more flexible. Order one cup size up from your UK size for a pushed-up look, or two cups up for more coverage. Read Melissa's comments for more details. Best for full, projected breasts on smaller to medium frames. Less ideal for very heavy breasts or significant side tissue.
Fantasie — True to size. Best for small to medium frames and busts. Offers good coverage options. We mostly carry their tankinis, with some bikinis available.
The takeaway: The bra-sized system is consistent, but the small refinements vary by brand. If you need help with Comexim or any other brand, just email service@breakoutbras.com. We’re happy to help with any style or brand questions.
When to ask for help
Sizing yourself for the first time can feel overwhelming, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our team offers free virtual fittings for swimwear with no pressure to buy. Whether you’re between sizes, trying a new brand, or considering a halter or one-piece for the first time, fifteen minutes with a fitter can make a big difference.
Adjustments after a swimsuit arrives are also normal. If something doesn’t feel quite right, send us a photo or two and we’ll help troubleshoot whether it’s a sizing issue, a style issue, or just straps that need tweaking. Browse the full swimwear collection whenever you’re ready, and reach out if you’d like a little guidance along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bra-sized swimwear? Bra-sized swimwear uses the same band-and-cup system as traditional bras (28D, 34G, 40H, etc.) instead of generic small/medium/large sizing. This lets you get a proper fit without compromising on the rest of your body. The brands we carry, like Freya, Panache, Elomi, Comexim, and others, use real bra-style construction with underwires, side support, adjustable straps, and bands from 28 to 44.
Do I wear my bra size in swimwear? Yes. A UK 34G bra size corresponds to a UK 34G in swimwear from UK brands such as Freya, Panache, and Elomi. These brands maintain consistent sizing across their bras and swimwear collections. Be sure to check Melissa's comments on each style page for any minor fit differences to consider when purchasing.
How is swim sizing different from regular bra sizing? Swim fabric stretches differently when wet, swim underwires tend to have a slightly softer curve, swim straps are wider and more rugged, and there’s usually less back adjustability than a multi-hook bra band. The basic principles are the same, but the details are adjusted for water and movement.
Should I size up or down in swim? If you find yourself between band sizes, we suggest opting for the smaller band. Swim clasps typically lack adjustability, so starting with a band that is too loose may compromise long-term support. Cup sizes usually correspond directly with your regular bra size; however, you might need to increase the cup size for styles that offer less coverage, such as plunge designs. Tankinis and one-piece swimsuits are often cut slightly shorter in the torso, so if you have a longer torso or a fuller stomach or hip area, choosing a larger band size can provide additional room and comfort.
Can I get a virtual fitting for swimwear? Absolutely! We offer free virtual fittings specifically for swim. This is especially helpful if you’re trying a new brand, you’re between sizes, or you’re considering a halter, bandeau, or one-piece for the first time.
July 5, 2006
Here's the earliest record we have of the Breakout Bras website! Sometimes you forget, in the moment, to capture important events on film, which is unfortunate. While not the first, it’s still a good example of an early internet website. Melissa switched up the backgrounds and themes for every season and holiday back then. Our motto was "Truth in Sizing" at that time.
September 4, 2013
In 2013, the site was updated with a more sophisticated look. Here we introduced better categories and search filters, and Melissa’s infamous patterned backgrounds were phased out and our signature Breakout Bras' teal and butterfly were introduced. Our motto was also updated at this time to "Sizing Does Matter".
February 2, 2016
2016 brought about an amazing transformation with the debut of our current BOB butterfly logo. So beautiful and definitely a keeper! We also introduced our social media accounts as a way to stay connected with our customers. We started using more product-specific images and branding as well. This iteration of our site was more information-heavy than our other websites had been up to that point. Our motto at this time was changed to what it currently is: "Fitter Approved Intimates".
September 23, 2018
Another updated version of the website was launched in 2018! We had a customized theme developed for Shopify, and our Breakout Bras' teal was used as the primary color scheme. We introduced our blog and the Bobbie Awards around this time too. Though not perfect, this version served us well for five years.
August 2023
We've indeed come a long way since 2000, but it was definitely time for another upgrade. Introducing the newest version of breakoutbras.com! We’re incredibly excited that the new site features increased speed, better functionality, and ease of use, plus there have been so many more images, updates, and additions made to our informational pages. We can’t wait for you to try it, and once you do, let us know what you think! We’d love your feedback!
1999: Melissa was pregnant with her son Alexander and couldn't find nursing bras even close to her size.
1999/2000: Melissa formulated a plan to stay at home with Alexander but work at the same time. Online was really the only way to do that.
2000 (June): Breakout Bras was launched out of the Thomason living room/garage in Simpsonville, SC. Started with three brands: Leading Lady, Bravado, & Fancee Free. Leading Lad& Bravado are still sold on the site today.
2002 (April): Melissa's husband Jim quit his job to join the company full time after a key business decision increased sales exponentially and Melissa could no longer handle it all on her own, having just given birth to their second child, Elizabeth.
2002 (September): Our first brick-and-mortar retail location is opened in Simpsonville, SC, called Mother's Milk. Breakout Bras was still just online.
2004: We brought in our first UK-sized brands, Fantasie of England and Freya (This is when Stephanie joined the staff).
2006 (January): Incorporated the business
2006 (August): Opened the first Breakout Bras location on Haywood Road in Greenville, SC. (This is when Arielle joined the staff.)
2007: Started selling the UK brand Panache, maker of the first bra to ever fit me, their famous Tango style, in a UK size 36K.
2007 (October): Took another huge leap forward in both sales and online visibility by starting to sell on the Amazon platform.
2008 (November): Expanded our retail location into an almost 5000 square foot space on Haywood Road.
2009–2012: We worked hard, traveled the globe, and homeschooled our kids.
2013 (September): Moved to a 10,000-square-foot warehouse and retail location on Woodruff Road in Greenville, SC.
2016: First Best of Intima Awards Nomination
2017: Introduced Polish Brand Comexim to many as the first US retailer
2018: First ever Best of Intima Award win: Best Maternity Bra Retailer
2020: Celebrated 20 amazing years in business
2022: Second Best of Intima Award win: Lifetime Achievement Award
2023 (August): An amazing new website is launched along with a move to a bigger and better warehouse and retail location back on Haywood Road.
Wondering why your new bra feels snug or comes up higher under the arms? Learn why a proper bra fit feels different at first, why marks are normal, and how to break in your bra the right way.
Why a Correct Bra Fit Feels Different
If your new bra feels snugger in the band, comes up higher under your arms, or rests more firmly under your breasts than you’re used to, don’t panic! That’s not a sign of a bad fit, it’s actually a sign you’re wearing the right size.
Most women have spent years in bras that are too big in the band and too small in the cup. When you finally put on a correctly fitted bra, your body isn’t used to being supported in those areas. It can feel strange at first, but that “different” feeling means your bra is doing its job.
Common Things You Might Notice
Breaking In Your New Bra
Just like new shoes, a new bra takes some time to settle in. Here’s our recommended approach:
When to Be Concerned
It’s normal to have most red marks fade within an hour or so, but if you’re experiencing pain, digging wires, or marks that don’t go away, that may mean you need an adjustment in size or style. That’s where our fit experts come in! Schedule a virtual fitting, and we’ll help troubleshoot the issue.
Final Thoughts
A proper bra fit may feel unusual at first, but that’s because your body is adjusting to real support. Once you break in your first correctly fitted bras, you don't have to do that with each new bra. All future bras are much easier to break in.
Still unsure about your fit? Book a virtual or in-person fitting with our team or check out our Bra Fitting FAQ below for more details.
How should I wash my bras?
How often should I wash my bras?
This is really more of a personal preference. This can vary depending on the number of bras you own, the type of activity you engage in during the day, or the time of year. For example, after exercising in a sports bra, you probably want to wash that right away. If you only have one or two bras that you wear, you probably want to wash them once a week. If you only wore a bra for a few hours during a period when you weren't particularly active or sweaty, you might not need to wash it as frequently. However, if you wore a bra at an outdoor festival for several hours in the summer and were sweaty, you’d probably want to wash that one right away too. As long as you are hand washing and line drying your bras, how often you wash them won’t really affect their quality.
How many bras should I own?
We always recommend having at least three. This allows you to alternate between washing, drying, and wearing your bras. In general, the more bras you rotate wearing, the longer your bras will last. If you only have one bra that you wear every single day, it will typically last about six months. With two or three, they will last for about a year.
What types of bras should I own?
Firstly, a lot of what women think of as “back fat” is actually side breast tissue that isn’t properly pulled into your cup. So instead, it spills out into the sideband or towards your back.
Nearly all customers seeking fittings have band sizes too large and cup sizes too small. The cup should go from the center of your breast all the way around to a little past your underarm. The band should measure the area beneath your bust, with no additional inches added. Ensuring that the cup extends far enough back is crucial for pulling the side breast tissue, commonly referred to as back fat, up and into the front of the cup.
See how getting a bigger cup eliminated all those side bulges!
Secondly, if you still feel like you want something that has more of a smoothing effect, we do have bra styles with wider bands that help provide more back coverage.
Evelyn and Bobbie's Defy is a great, comfortable wireless option that has a phenomenal smoothing effect. The Goddess Sports Bra is also another style with a wide band and good coverage. Parfait's Mia Lace Longline bra is another excellent option for smoothing the back. It’s also very pretty!
If you are looking for a bra with an underwire, the Sculptresse Bliss has a wide band on the sides, and any longline bra will work well too. Strapless bustiers also fall into this category, but they aren't typically intended to be worn as an everyday bra and are more for special occasions. Strapless bustiers don’t usually have as wide of a cup size selection as an everyday bra would either. Most of the time they stop at a UK G or GG (US I or J) cup. However, they do provide a much wider band than most other bras. So if you want something that is back smoothing just for a particular outfit, the Elissa Strapless Bustier, or any other Parfait bustier, would be a good option for you.
If you want a smoothing effect for what’s below your bra band, we have some excellent shapewear options for you! We have a large selection of shapewear by Rago, Leonisa, Evelyn & Bobbie, and Chantelle, all offering shaping and smoothing camis, tanks, and briefs that are particularly effective at smoothing our your back!
We’re back with the second part of our What to Expect with Maternity and Nursing Bra Fittings! We’ll pick up where we left off in our interview with BOB's sizing expert, Arielle.
Arielle, in the previous blog, you mentioned not getting a cup and band size-specific nursing bra during your pregnancy. When would you recommend that women get fitted for a nursing bra to wear AFTER they deliver?
Ideally, four to six weeks after delivery. By then, they’ll know what their milk supply is like, their ribcage size will be more settled, and if they are even able to or want to nurse. Their rib cage might be the same size as it was pre-pregnancy or bigger. I normally wear a 32 band, but I was a solid 34 after delivery. Eventually I got back down to a 32, but it took a while. Your organs are being pushed upward to make room for the baby while it grows. That’s why the ribcage expands so much during pregnancy—to make room for your organs and the baby. It took 9 months for your body to change, and it will take a while to go back to your new normal. Don’t expect to be back to your pre-pregnancy size in a 6-week period.
Also, by four to six weeks, they’ll be able to better predict their milk flow, so they’re less likely to leak unexpectedly. Speaking of leaking unexpectedly, you’ll want to wear disposable breast pads or reusable silicone pads, such as LilyPadz, when you're trying on nursing bras in the store to prevent any damage to the bras. We provide disposable pads free of charge to moms trying on nursing bras.
What’s the next step once a nursing mom comes in for a fitting?
"Their next step is to decide if they want underwire or softcup. Did you know that it’s a common misconception that you shouldn’t wear an underwire bra if you are breastfeeding? You CAN wear underwire if you are properly fitted! It's not about the bra having a wire or not. It's about the overall fit. You can also get clogged ducts and mastitis with a wireless bra.
Milk ducts actually reach all the way to your underarm area. The fitter will make sure that the wire placement extends past that and doesn’t put pressure on your ducts. Your breast should be fully contained, and the cup should not be pressing into breast tissue anywhere. In general, customers will need to opt for a bigger cup size to allow fluctuation room for when their breasts are full, as well as avoid clogged ducts."
If you want to prevent clogged ducts, which you do, getting properly sized will ensure you have the best nursing experience possible. Some people are more prone to mastitis than others, so please let your fitter know if this has been an issue for you in the past.
That’s some great advice! What are some of your favorite nursing bras or nursing products, not only as a fitter but also from your personal experience?
"My favorites are Molly by Elomi, Katherine by Panache, and any Bravado bras. My favorite while I was nursing was the Bravado Original. It's soft, comfy, secure, and feels like a real bra. A nursing bra gets a lot more wear and tear than a regular bra because you’re pulling on it and washing it three times more than a regular bra. On average, nursing bras will last about six to eight months if cared for properly. The customer will want to have two to four nursing bras in rotation to make things easier and ensure a good overall experience.
One life-saving product for me was the Clip and Pump by Bravado. I tried to breastfeed, but my son had some latching issues that resulted in it not working out like I wanted. I ended up using a breast pump exclusively for 13 months. The Clip and Pump held the nursing shields in place while I pumped. The Pumpkin bra by Cake also has zippers that will hold the shields in place.
Those are great recommendations! Thanks so much again for taking the time to give us this valuable information. I’m sure it will be a big help to our nursing customers! Is there anything you’d like to close with?
"If you can’t come to the retail store to get fitted, go to Breakout Bras’ Comprehensive Sizing Guide at www.breakoutbras.com/pages/fitting-guide. That will give you an idea of what size you need to start with. You can always call us toll-free at 866-870-8911 or email us at service@breakoutbras.com. We’re happy to give style recommendations and sizing advice."
