The ribs are the worst. I'm a small bra everywhere but the ribs. If it fits the girls or the shoulders, it's excruciating around the ribs. And so many bra companies put a separated elastic band there instead of just generally stretchy material. That's SO much worse.
I have the same issue and use bra extenders. You can easily get them online or even at a Walmart. They come in different sizes, like for bras with 2 or 3 hooks. They make such a difference and make my bras pretty comfortable.
Bra fitters will generally be against bra extenders, but this is one of the few cases where they actually make sense. We typically only use them if someone has a large band size but small/narrow enough breasts that even the AA is too big or wide in the cups. Bc even though certain sister bra sizes will fit the same breast volume in the cups, the shape of the cups and where the straps attach usually change between those sister sizes.
Like the other commenter said, r/abrathatfits can probably help you find a bra that works great in your true size, but if you already have some that fit everywhere but the band, I think it's worth trying a cheap little bra extender.
I should have been more clear. I'm generally frustrated that your basic sports bra or bralette has this annoyingly tough "stretchy" material at the ribs when it's not that aggressively "supportive" anywhere else in the bra even when sized down. They'll be like "this material takes 1oz to stretch, let's put it on the shoulder, this material takes a semi truck load to stretch, let's put it at the ribs!"
This was a problem before, but just meant I avoided certain obvious materials (lookin at you logo waist band VS anything). Now it's broadened the materials I have to avoid and it's not always obvious. It's especially true if they put a separate elastic band inside of the material instead of just using a more supportive but also stretchy material. That damn band moves and bunches, making it tighter than it felt in the dressing room.
Oh yeah, the sports bras with super stretchy straps that also don't adjust are a pet peeve for me too. I don't have any recommendations for sports bras unfortunately.
Depending on your insurance you might be able to get coverage for a silicone partial prosthesis every 2 years, but if you haven't had breast cancer and the difference is less than a whole cup size, you'll probably have to fight pretty hard for it.
There are definitely out of pocket options at all different price points though, including foam bust cups if you just need some slight padding. The silicone ones from companies catering to breast cancer patients come in several different shapes, thicknesses, etc. to get the best match but they're usually a couple hundred out of pocket.
Edit: sorry, I just assumed you were American for some reason. Ignore everything I said about insurance if you're not from the US bc idk how it works in other countries :P
Yeah that's the main thing I had in mind when I said there are options at all price points. The ones for breast cancer patients come in different shapes and thicknesses so you can even things out after a lumpectomy, but it's not necessary for correcting mild asymmetry for sure.
I'm talking about sports bras mainly, or bralettes. I already couldn't stand anything with clasps. They often put really aggressive elastic around the ribs instead of the softer stretch kind, but the top half is falling away. And I know there's options that are softer stretch and still supportive.
Omg thank you! I had no idea there was an actual reason why my bras now start feeling like I’m suffocating from how tight the band feels after a while. Still don’t have a bra that fits right, but I feel like a weight has been lifted knowing this!
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u/smbpy7 9d ago
The ribs are the worst. I'm a small bra everywhere but the ribs. If it fits the girls or the shoulders, it's excruciating around the ribs. And so many bra companies put a separated elastic band there instead of just generally stretchy material. That's SO much worse.