Thread: Mind the Gap! Big boobs/Small chest question.

I'm not sure I can explain this well, but here goes. The gap I am speaking of is when very large bra cups get pulled backwards, around the corner, due to a tiny ribcage and the center of the bra moves forward. Any fringe dangles far from the belly and there is a huge gap that, if I could do back bends, would show cleavage but from the bottom. This also is a concern when dancing on a stage as people are below, usually children. I realize there are many costuming solutions such as vests and more fringe but what I am looking for is any alterations that can be done to a bra to prevent this. Breast reduction would be drastic and expensive as my back never hurts. It is just that I find this unsightly and as a amateur costume maker I strive to improve my costumes. Chances are only a dancer with my body type has encountered this but I thought I'd throw it out there. Does anyone have a solution?

This happens to me all the time. (32" ribcage, 39" chest) For me it almost always means that the cups are too small and not far enough apart. If you are sure that the cups are the right size, try adjusting the middle part of the bra, as well as where the straps connect to the cup. I've had reasonable luck moving the straps further out on the sides of the cup.

So, are you saying the bra band around your ribs is no sitting on your chest wall? Pictures are really helpful for fit diagnostics. I'm also inclined to think the cups are not large enough

it sounds like the bra cup sizes are too small and the band is too big. It's apparently very common for this body type. You need deeper (not bigger) cups and a smaller bra band. One solution would be to remove the bridge between the cups to make the band smaller without pulling the cups further apart, also using additional accessories to enlarge the cup from the cleavage portion out, like sacrificing the head band or wristlets if available.

Originally Posted by kina

it sounds like the bra cup sizes are too small and the band is too big. It's apparently very common for this body type. You need deeper (not bigger) cups and a smaller bra band. One solution would be to remove the bridge between the cups to make the band smaller without pulling the cups further apart, also using additional accessories to enlarge the cup from the cleavage portion out, like sacrificing the head band or wristlets if available.

This, for sure! Wearing a bra designed with too big a band, even if you make it smaller in back, usually results in the cups being too far apart in front.

Tipping the cups - which is the phrase I was taught for either changing how high the center connector is or how close together the cups are - used to be considered essential for most store bought costumes. I have bought several vintage costumes - mainly Turkish but one was a Pharaonics - which the previous owner had done this with. very easy to adjust.

{{{HUGS}}}

I have done costuming for years...and I am currently in a similar boat as you are-I have a 35-36" ribcage and a DD cup. One thing you can do is go to a good bra store and take, say a 34 or 36DD bra and compare it to a 42DD bra. Take mental notes on the differences in construction.

I second dissecting the bra. Depending on the style of it, you might be able to put the cups closer together (so they aren't going into your armpit) and naybe even tilting them SLIGHTLY-think of the slant that a classic Wonderbra has. Change the straps to a halter neckline with the slanted Wonderbra tilt. You are basically trying to keep the cups AND the girls up front...and not going into the armpit area, which is causing the gap.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have made a list of the ideas and am going to play around with these on a really simple costume I'm making and see what happens. If all else fails I will repost with a photo of the offending gap because, yes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Originally Posted by kina

You need deeper (not bigger) cups and a smaller bra band.

AAAAAAAAAH! Thank you!