How to Tighten Bra Straps? And Why Loose Straps Are Not Good?
Adjusting your bra straps can mean either any one of two problems. You want to loosen the bra straps because they’re too tight. Or tighten the bra straps because they’re too loose. This article concerns itself with your worry about how to tighten bra straps.
But what it will also do is identify why the bra straps are loose, to begin with. Your bra straps only have to keep incessantly falling off of your shoulders. For you to realize that they’re loose and need to be tightened.
To know how to tighten bra straps is simple and quick. If you have a bra with adjustable straps, it’s much easier. Otherwise, you may have to take your bra to the tailor to get it custom-fit. But don’t get confused, allow me to walk you through each method.
Understanding Loose Bra Straps
I’m sure you’re thinking – why do the straps keep sliding off of my shoulders? The possible reasons for this are mentioned below.
#1 Check your shoulder slope
This means your shoulder slope is steeper than normal. The slope starts from the curve of your neck right down to your upper arm. You could either have a narrow or sloping shoulder. Women with narrow shoulders often experience this bra pain.
The profile is too thin, small, and stiff to accommodate wide-set straps. That is why you need a specific type of bra to suit your narrow shoulders. Such as halter bras, convertible-strap bras, racerback bras, or bras with close-set straps.
The type of bras you should avoid are camisole bras, bras with too thin straps, or deep and wide U-back bras.
#2 The elasticity of the straps is incorrect
If you buy a cheap and low-quality bra, the straps will lose quality too. So they become loose, flimsy, and delicate. And no matter how much you adjust them, they never sit well on your shoulders.
This is a sign that your straps have lost most of their much-needed elasticity. And it’s time to buy a new bra with stronger and adjustable straps.
A good way to maintain a new bra so that it doesn’t lose its elasticity. What you need to do is wash them (by hand or machine) and air-dry them. Do not put them in the dryer as the heat will mess the material up.
#3 Check your band size
Slide two fingers under your band. If you feel you could slide another finger since there’s room. This means you need a tighter band size. A big band will cause gaps between your breasts and your upper abdomen or your back.
A loose band means loose straps that keep sliding off of your shoulders. Opt for a quick bra size check by yourself or a professional bra fitter.
How to Tighten Bra Straps – 2 Ways to Go About It
#1 By Adjusting the Bra’s Clip
This is how you can adjust the bra strap’s length accurately.
Adjustable straps come with either a metal or plastic clip on each strap. With the help of its mechanism, you can pull to length from one side. Or pull to shorten the strap from the other side.
Most adjustable straps allow you to lengthen or shorten the strap all the way. But if you wanted limited flexibility, you can go for straps that go halfway only.
Look for the slip on a new bra strap close to the back band. You can bring the strap adjuster to the middle part of the strap as you adjust. But do all bras have this? Well, here’s the explanation.
Bras like the sports bra are made up of a single material. Including the straps which are cut of the same single cloth. So it’s highly unlikely that thick sports bras would offer adjustability. It’s difficult to adjust the length of a single piece of fabric. In this case, you’d have to buy a new size.
Always use both hands to tighten the bra straps. The closer you get the clip to the band, the tighter the straps will be. To do it correctly, hold the adjuster with a single finger of one hand. And pull the strap connected to that adjuster with the other hand.
Say you bring the clip all the way down to the band. It’s the tightest the straps can get and you feel it’s comfortable. Do not buy that bra! Because, with wear and tear, bra straps loosen. Always keep some room for adjustment when learning how to tighten bra straps.
Opt for a bra with a smaller band size your straps are too loose to tighten.
How to Match Both Straps to the Same Length?
A lot of women ask this question. It’s important to balance both straps evenly while adjusting. And if you’re doing this while wearing the bra, it’s more difficult to handle.
Make sure you tighten the strap on one strap, getting to the exact position you want. Then remove the bra and adjust the other strap correctly.
However, if you have different breast sizes, which is totally normal. Having asymmetrical breasts is natural and nothing to be embarrassed about. You can simply try on the bra and adjust each strap accordingly.
#2 By Altering the Bra Straps
While this may be a costlier method of correcting loose bra straps. It’s effective for some women. Measuring your ideal length of the straps with a measuring tape. And get the straps shortened at a tailor’s.
If you know and understand the basics of sewing. You can shed 2-3 inches of the straps by yourself with a sewing kit. It’s quick, effective, and customized. So you know for sure that the straps will never slide off your shoulders again!
An alternative way, besides the clip or altering, is using safety pins. But I highly recommend to not go for this trick. As it is dangerous and temporary. You can poke yourself while putting it on. Or the safety pin may be seen through certain outfits.
Checking If the Straps Fit You Correctly
This simple check will demonstrate the fit of the bra, including the straps! Once you pass this test, it means you have the ideal strap fit for your body.
- Slide a finger under each strap while standing in front of a mirror. If your finger slides under naturally and you don’t feel extreme pressure, that’s a good sign. Some pressure is ideal to keep the straps in place.
- However, if you can wiggle your finger under the strap. Or maybe even slide one or two more fingers, that’s a bad sign. You need to tighten the straps a bit more.
- If you can’t slide even a single finger under each strap. This means the straps are too tight and they need to be loosened a bit.
Why Should I Tighten Bra Straps?
There are medical benefits to wearing a proper-fitting bra. And this has everything to do with how the straps fit your shoulders.
It improves posture
Do your back pain a lot? Or do you find yourself sitting slouched over the desk while working? All these are signs of improper posture and stiffness. And one thing you can do to correct it is by wearing the right sized bra.
It’s true that bras improve posture by reducing back discomfort. Your chest, shoulders, and back get the right support they need.
You can move more freely in them
Women with heavier breasts find it difficult to walk without bras. It also causes back pain, skin irritation, and breast soreness. A bra can improve mobility by supporting the bust. So the breast tissue doesn’t wobble or rub against the inner material of your top or dress.
This is especially important when exercising. A sports bra is firm, supportive, and breathable. It allows you to be more active. And causes less breast pain when you’re running or doing fast-paced movements.
It lifts and shapes the breasts
A lot can go wrong if you don’t lift and support your breasts. Sagging, loss of elasticity in the skin, breast pain, and soreness. With a slight lift, your breasts look and feel comfortable. And the cups give your breasts a shapely form. Especially helpful if you have uneven breasts.
Conclusion
Your bra fits you perfectly well until it doesn’t. But you can’t keep waiting around for magical solutions. You need to learn how to tighten bra straps yourself. And this is an excellent place to start from.
Even if the straps don’t fall off your shoulders. But you still can notice that the band or cups are a bit loose. The bra straps are what hold these elements together. And if you can correct that plainly by adjusting the straps a bit. What’s stopping you?
The main reason behind your bra’s support is the straps. So you want a bra with adjustable and firm straps. Straps that sit on your shoulders properly. Don’t wobble, slide, or dig into the skin.
And just in case you find a problem with the strap fit. Consider adjusting the straps by yourself or buying a new but best strap fit for your shoulders. Sounds simple and easy enough, right? So get to it.
