I learnt about different shape boobs when I was launching my lingerie brand, with my speciality being with the bigger sized boobs, I began to research why one bra fits one person but not the other with the same size boobs. I knew that boobs come in all different shapes but began to understand that how the different shapes suited different shape bras.

I do think though that the person who named all the different breast types missed a trick, they are all quite boring descriptive names, if I’d had the chance to name the different shape boobsI would have named them something like, splendid, fabulous etc. How much more fun would that be at fittings, “oh you have the splendid shaped boobs, wait there I have the bra for you”.

For the past year I have been putting different shape boobs up on Instagram, but thought I’d transfer all that information up on here so it was ready to see it all together rather than scrolling. I think it’s important to know about different shape breasts when you are designing so you can work out if your design is not fitting for a particular reason - and understand that your design won’t be the best for for everyone.

So here we go nine different shapes of boobs.

FULL BOTTOM BOOBS

These boobs are fuller below the nipple, which may cause the cups to gape at the top, if you want to avoid this a plunge bra may help; this is because the padding pushes the breast tissue up to create fullness at the top. Also look for a non moulded cup (where the cup is pre-formed) and opt for a bra that is just material as the bra will stretch and lie directly against your skin.

ASYMMETRICAL

This where one boob is bigger than the other, it’s usually the left (although not always) this is because your heart pumping blood and it’s situated on the left hand side. If you think it’s noticeable, stretchy bras (including non wire bras) with inserts (just wear the insert on the breast which is smaller) so you’re not left with gaping fabric.

Moulded bras will show even size bras but you will have a gap on the smaller one. Floating under-wires are great (where the wire isn’t attached to cup but a frame underneath the fabric cups), as this allows each breast to be enclosed separately and you don’t have any gaping. Regarding soft bras, go for ones which have an upside down triangle at the CF which allows the elastic not to dig in to the bigger boob. If you’re breast size is more than a cup size, if you are ordering from a brand which makes your bra when you order, ask them if it’s possible to make the cup sizes different sizes.

Above all Remember : NO TWO BOOBS ARE CREATED EQUAL

FULL ON TOP

Also known as FOT, means you have more breast tissue in the top of your boobs than the bottom. How to tell? Your nips will probably be below the centre of your breasts (I’m not talking about breasts that have lost their fullness). When you wear a bra you may suffer from “quad boobs” where you boobs spill over the top of the cup even though you are wearing the correct size. Try bras that are full cups as they are designed to encase the whole boob, bras made from stretch fabric are ideal as they won’t cut into the breast tissue.

Narrow underwires (think french bras) with deeper cups are more forgiving than the wire wires with shallow cups , as basically that is trying to wear that type of bra with FOT boobs is like trying to get an orange into a glass, it will never reach the bottom. So if you try on a bra that has empty space at the bottom of the cup and your boobs spill over the top - ditch that style, no-one wants to be an orange wearing a glass bra.

PENDULOUS

This breast shape is defined by where the breast comes lower than where it meets the chest wall. They can look deflated or feel like they lack volume. This shape often happens due to age or after pregnancy (the common belief is due to breast feeding but it;s the pregnancy that cause the internal structure of the breast to change).

This type of breast is totally common and normal and you can have this shape when young. If you want a more rounded shape, bras which can help are underwire bras and ones with side boning. Padding at the bottom of the bra may help as it pushes the breast tissue upwards. Those you prefer soft bras I recommend choosing a bra cup which has a vertical seam as this will lift the breast upwards, also choosing bra in which the cup meets the wing/cradle so has a side seam, rather than a bra that just consists of a cup and elastic as the under-band. Your aim isn’t always to lift the breast to create a full shape, it might be just to be comfortable, when trying on a bra lean forward into the cups this will then get the bra to sit at the right part of the chest wall.

TUBLAR

These shape boobs look more tube shape rather than rounded and usually have a larger shape between them, and the areolae is usually large. If you are looking for more rounded boobs, bras that can help that shape are push-up bras, this will push the breast tissue towards the centre and front. A lot of push-up bras have a ‘L’ shape bra in the cup so you gain a full shape.

Strapless/bandeau shape bras are probably not going to give you a curve shape if that is the shape you are going for. However as this shape breast is often found on the smaller cup then take full advantage and rock out that bandeau and take comfort that you have a choice in bra shapes and don’t always need a full looking bra the entire time. Another bras type is a (compression) sports bra (usually these styles are found in the crop top version of sports bras) which will give you a small yet rounded look. Remember if you’re not loving your boobs change your bra and own what you have and rock it out.

ARCHETYPAL

If you have ever wondered what shape of boobs that most bra manufactures model their designs on, it’s this one. The archetypal breast shape is round, full with a small point at the nipple. Which means if you are this shape it you can wear most ‘off the peg bras’ and be comfortable. “Apparently” most manufactures choose this shape as they state it’s the most common shape - with all the boobs I have seen I can safely say there is no standard boob shape.

EAST TO WEST

If you have nipples pointing outwards with a wide space between your breasts, chances are you have east-to-west shape boobs. If you are wanting them to look more centred choose boobs with side boing (on soft bras or underwire bras) and choose bras with cup shapes that angle down (so not a balconette shape). A plunge shape bra will uplift your boobs and with padding will also centre your boobs. Remember all boobs are great and a famous person to have this type of boobs was Bettie Page.

ATHLETIC

These shape of boobs tend to be wide and muscular and are usually seen on (those who identify) women who have A to C cup size boobs. They have a higher ratio of muscle to fat which makes the boobs feel firm and don’t need a lot of support. Wearing an under-wire may feel uncomfortable and dig in as the curve of the under-sire are quite narrow compared to the shape of the athletic boob shape and cups may wrinkle or gape.

Bras recommended for this shape (if you are wanting to change the shape of the breasts) are a balconette shape - the wires are usually wider, the cups are usually demi cups so are lower and the straps are positioned towards the sides so will help lift and shape the breast tissue for a cleavage. Bralettes are also awesome as the stretch will fit brilliantly to your shape. I would avoid bras with horizontal seams as they are there to make the cup deeper so you are more likely to have cups that wrinkle and gape with this style. Bras with vertical seams will lift the breast tissue upwards.

SIDE SET

You can tell if you have this shape of boobs if you can easily place three finger widths between your breast and not touch (or barely touch) any breast tissue. The most common problem with these type of boobs is the lack of cleavage even when bras are worn. The most comfortable type of bras are the ones with a wide centre front. A front closure also works well on this shape, drawing the boobs inwards. Also a plunge bra will bring them in as well as a racer back bra. The most important thing about this breast shape is ensuring all breast tissue is in the cup of the bra. So when putting on the bra ensure you bend forward and scoop the breast tissue inwards towards the centre of the body.

If you are wanting to pin this article and come back to it later. Please pin below.

If you wanting to learn more about different bra shapes, the Anatomy of the bra covers this.

What boob shape are you?