Women of every size and shape can have large breasts and if you're someone with narrow or sloping shoulders then bras can be a strap slipping headache. Lots of bras have straps that are wide apart partly because of style and partly because not every manufacturer has figured out that just because someone has a large cup volume doesn't mean they're taller and wider than someone with a smaller cup volume. It can be so frustrating to find a cup shape and size that works for you only to have the straps slipping off your shoulders every 5 minutes.
A quick note about slipping straps. The most common cause of straps slipping is your band being too big. When your band is too big it can ride up your back and this slackens the tension of your straps and they gradually slip off your shoulders. If you know that your band and cup sizes are right and your straps keep slipping then it's most likely that you need a style with straps set closer together.
There are some full bust bras that are ideal for narrow and sloping shoulders. Here are some of our favourites:
Eva by Elomi (34-40 E-JJ) - The outside panel of this bra has been extended so that it swoops up past the armpit and the straps sit about half an inch closer in on the shoulder than a regular strap position.
Etta by Elomi (34-40 E-JJ)- Etta is built on the same short torso friendly frame as Eva (by the way Eva has just been inexplicably renamed Yolande by Elomi - just to confuse everyone!). Not only do the straps sit closer in on the shoulders there's also a J hook in the back so that you can wear the straps as a racer back for the ultimate zero slipping straps!
Versailles by Lunaire (32-38 E-G) - Another smooth cup bra, the cups are a teardrop shape which means the straps are positioned at the top of the cups rather than to the outside edges. The straps sit about an inch closer in than an average strap position.
Deco Vibe (28-38 E-GG) - This is the newest Deco basic by Freya and it comes as standard with a J hook in the back so that you can make your straps immovable. Without the J hook the straps are in a pretty standard position but I think it's great that more and more styles are becoming available with the J hook for those people who really need to adapt the straps.
Not every size is covered in these suggestions but there is an accessory that can stop straps slipping on any bra. A strap holder is a piece of elastic that you loop over your straps and it keeps them in place. What I like about the strap holder is that it stretches as you move so it's flexible. It's not a solution that everyone wants so as we get more close set straps styles for small bands in the H+ ranges we'll let you know xx
I am one of the women with narrow / sloping shoulders and I am confused by J hooks. Are we supposed to put the bra on and then reach back, or up, to connect it? (Difficult, for me at least.) Or is there some way to clip it together and then put the bra on? Am I the only one who has difficulty with this? I don't think I've seen it discussed before.
ReplyDeleteGreat question. It's very difficult for lots of women to hook the j-hook themselves once the bra is on so if you don't have someone who can do it for you I recommend hooking it before you put it on then putting your head and arms through the straps, leaning forward to scoop your breast tissue into the cups then standing up and fastening the hooks at the back. If you're a hook at the front and twist it round kind of gal then it's not possible to attach the j-hook beforehand xx
DeleteIs there a shop that sells just J hooks that can be added to any bra? I would buy a bunch of those!
ReplyDeleteI truly have no idea Josephine, what a good point. My best guess would be a dressmaking website or store. If anyone knows the answer please reply to Josephine xx
DeleteYou can buy them. It's not exactly the same thing but what you want is a racerback converter. Just make sure the straps are a little looser than usual before trying to attch it!
DeleteI am 65 yrs of age, 5 ft 2 in, overweight and I wear a 40D. When I was 20 I wore a 34B. I have never had a bra that stays on my shoulders. Most of the bras shown do not go to size 40....any solutions? Also, straps that meet in the back cause back aches.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I've always had strap issues, too. 4'11" here. My best solution was racerbacks, which are often hard to put on. And most are front close which just digs into me and the bands can't be tightened/loosened up. Playtex still makes large cup sizes up to 40"+, I would check their styles. I have bought several convertible brass and just crossed the straps in the back and left them that way. I find the convertible straps move a lot better than racerbacks that might dig in between your shoulder blades.
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