Boobs are funny old things, aren’t they? Both functional and perceived as sexually attractive, they’re incredibly varied between women. But we’ve come to learn that it’s not just as simple as either having big boobs or small ones. Lingerie company ThirdLove has made it their business to study the art of boobs, and has identified that there are nine different types. And it’s actually quite fascinating because we’ve never thought about our boob shape in such detail before.
Buying a bra isn’t all to do with size, it seems. We should actually be thinking about which shape bras do the best things for our bosom buddies, too. So work out which shape most sounds like yours, and you’ll be enlightened to find out your ideal type of bra:
1. ROUND
If your breasts appear to be equally full at both the top and bottom, then you’ve got round boobs. People with round boobs don’t tend to need particularly structured bras because their breasts support themselves, so you can opt for something much more freeing than underwire and padding if you choose to.
2. EAST WEST
Do your nipples point outwards? If so, you’re probably an east west kinda girl. Or even if your actual nipples don’t point in opposite directions of the compass, if your general boob area seems to gravitate away from the centre of your chest, then you can put yourself in this category, too. ThirdLove recommends a t-shirt bra for anyone with east west boobs, thanks to the fact that it smooths over the shape and helps to draw them in.
3. SIDE SET
If your breasts have a wide space between them, then your work here is done because you’ve got side set boobs. These tend to be a little fuller in shape than those who come under the east west category, and best suit plunge bras, which hoik your breasts up and draw them in.
4. TEAR DROP
Tear drop boobs pretty much do what they say on the tin. If they’re rounded but slightly less full at the top, then you can identify with having tear drops. Luckily for you, these are the most easygoing type of breast shape, suiting most bras.
5. SLENDER
Slender breasts tend to be slimmer at the top, fuller at the bottom, and longer than they are wide. Extra evidence for having slender boobs is if they’re relatively small in cup size, so wireless bras are a great option for you. If you’re the kind of person who prefers creating the illusion of slightly bigger breasts, however, then why not try out a plunge bra.
6. ASYMMETRIC
Most women have asymmetry in their boobs in some shape or form. But if one of your breasts is notably larger than the other, this is your stop: you’ve got asymmetric breasts. Usually, the discrepancy in size isn’t too drastic that you have to start getting special bras fitted, so trying one with removable padding should do the trick nicely.
7. BELL SHAPE
Bell shape boobs sound characteristically similar to slender boobs, but bell shapes tend to be larger than slenders. So when bra shopping, think support, and try to stay away from those troublesome balconettes which could have you spilling out from all angles.
8. ATHLETIC
Women with athletic breasts tend to have wider, more muscular boobs with less tissue. The wider your breasts are, the better suited you are to a wireless bra – but make sure you pick one with a thick band to make sure it stays in place and keeps you supported.
9. RELAXED
Relaxed boobs are distinguishable by their lax tissue and their downward-pointing nipples. Got these? Opt for a classic t-shirt bra to compliment your shape.
So which one are you?
