How to Keep Bra Straps From Slipping Off Your Shoulders

Why Do Bra Straps Keep Slipping Off Your Shoulders?

In our HerRoom survey of over 400,000 women, 52% said they have narrow, sloping shoulders. They think that's causing their bra straps to slip. So, what's going on here? Well, the reality is that many of these women are in a band size that's too big.

Check Your Bra Band Size First

How to Test if Your Bra Band Is Too Big

So first, here's a quick and simple test to see if your bra band is too big. Take your straps off your shoulders and see what happens. Too big, and the bra falls down and off. Just right. And the bra stays up. Bra straps should only slightly help support your breast weight. The bulk of your breast support should always come from your bra band.

Why a Loose Bra Band Causes Straps to Slip

When your band is too big, the band first rides up your back. So in the morning, put on this bra it feels fine. But during the day, it creeps up your back like this, your breasts start to sag, the straps loosen, and fall off your shoulders.

Remember Sister Sizing When Changing Band Size

This mannequin has on the same bra, but in two different band sizes. See how the strap placement moves out towards the shoulders? But remember, when you go down a band size, you need to go up a cup size, just to maintain your same cup volume.

Look for Fully Adjustable Bra Straps

Now, if you're short or long waisted, or less than 5’4” or taller than 5’8”, you really need to look at a bra strap adjustability. Many bra straps only adjust in the back like this. This obviously reduces the amount of adjustability. Instead, look for straps with full adjustability, both in the back and front.

Best Bra Straps for Sloping Shoulders

For those of you with sloping shoulders, how the straps are attached to the bra is key. At her room, we show you strap placement for every bra. Here is a balconette bra. See how much further out the straps are located?

Center-Pull Bra Straps

Bras with center pull straps are a great choice for sloping shoulders. A center pull strap is sewn closer to the center of the cups, and less towards the shoulders.

Kicked-In Bra Straps

Women with sloping shoulders can wear a balconette bra or other wide set strap bras as long as the straps are kicked in. See how close the straps come together in back on this balconette bra? This is what I mean by kicked in. Having the straps angled, instead of coming straight down, does a great job of keeping bra straps on your shoulders.

Best Bra Backs for Slipping Straps

Leotard or U-Back Bras

Bras with a leotard back design, also called a U-back, can also help keep the straps on your shoulders. Here's a traditional or camisole bra back next to a leotard bra. The circular nature of a leotard back pulls the straps more towards the center to help keep your straps on your shoulders. But beware, not all bras claiming to have a leotard back, do this. Here's an example of a wide, leotard back bra, with straps set widely apart. This would do little to help keep your bra straps up on your shoulders.

Racerback, T-Back and V-Back Bras

Of course, racer backs, t-backs, v- backs, and other special bra backs will be a great solution for keeping these straps on your shoulders.

Bras With J-Hooks

And now, many manufacturers are including what's called a J-hook on the back of bra straps that easily allow you to pull your straps closer together.

How to Stop Your Bra Straps From Slipping

So you can see, if your bra straps keep slipping, you can remedy this. By either finding your correct bra size or selecting a bra with the right features.