Breast Shapes: A Guide to Different Types of Breasts

Everyone knows the importance of figuring out your bra size, but have you ever stopped to consider your breast shape? If you’ve ever tried on a bra that is allegedly your size but doesn’t quite fit the way you expected, it might be that the style of bra you’re wearing isn’t perfectly suited to your breast shape.

Confused? Don’t be! Our guide will help you identify your unique breast shape and shop for styles that best enhance your curves.

Asymmetric Breasts

Remember: breasts are sisters, not twins. It’s very common to have differently sized breasts — in fact, the majority of women do! When there’s a cup size or less difference in size, it falls under the category of an asymmetric breast shape.

For asymmetric breasts, where one breast is a different size or breast shape than the other, it's common to look for bras that provide a balanced and comfortable fit. 

• Foam cup bras with removable push-up pads allow you to adjust the volume on each side of the bra.
• Balconette bras have lower cups and can work well if the size difference is more noticeable at the top of the breasts.
• For comfort and a natural fit, wire-free bras with stretchy fabric can be a good option. Look for styles that conform to the shape of each breast.
• Psst… we recommend you check out Honeylove wireless bras
• Bralettes are often more forgiving in terms of fit and can provide a comfortable and relaxed option for asymmetric breasts.

Athletic Breasts

Athletic typically refers to a higher density of muscle. Because of the higher muscle to tissue ratio, many athletic breast types may experience gapping and extra space in bra cups.

For athletic breasts, which typically have a shallower shape and less fullness at the top, you'll want bras that provide support without excessive padding. 

• Racerback bras can provide extra support and help distribute the weight evenly across the shoulders, making them a good choice for athletic builds.
• Lightly padded bras can offer a bit of shaping and coverage without adding unnecessary bulk, making them suitable for athletic breast shapes.
• Bralettes with a simple, unlined design can provide light support and are comfortable for everyday wear.

Bell Shape Breasts

Though we dislike comparing women’s bodies to objects or shapes (ahem, women’s bodies are not fruits!), the widely accepted term for breasts that are thin at the top and full on the bottom is bell shaped because, conveniently, they resemble the proportions of a bell. This breast shape is common in women with larger chests.

For bell-shaped breasts, which tend to be fuller at the bottom, you'll want bras that provide support and lift while accommodating the natural shape of your breasts.

• Balconette bras have a lower cut and a horizontal neckline, providing lift and a flattering shape, especially for lower fullness.
• Demi cup bras with a lower strap platform help to lift and make the bust look fuller.
• Plunge bras with a lower center gore are great for revealing necklines and can enhance the natural shape of bell-shaped breasts.
• Full-cup bras provide maximum coverage and support, making them suitable for bell-shaped breasts. They help distribute the breast tissue evenly.
• Underwire bras offer additional support and lift, which can be beneficial for bell-shaped breasts, providing a lifted and defined look.
• Push-up bras with padding at the bottom can enhance cleavage and provide a lifted appearance, complementing the fuller bottom characteristic of bell-shaped breasts.

Close-set Breasts

If your breasts sit close together at the center of the chest with little or no space between them, they’re considered close-set. 

For close-set breasts, where the distance between the breasts is smaller, it's essential to choose bras that provide proper support and separation without causing discomfort.

• Balconette bras have wide-set straps and a lower neckline, providing a flattering shape for close-set breasts while offering support.
• Wire-free bras can be more comfortable for close-set breasts, especially if the center gore of underwire bras tends to sit on the breast tissue.
• Underwire bras provide separation that prevent uniboob
• M-Frame bras (full coverage wire-free bra) that has a center front gore will help frame and separate breasts

Conical Breasts

Conical breasts are characterized by a round shape with a cone-like appearance. It’s a common breast shape for people with smaller chests. 

For conical breasts, it's essential to choose bras that provide shaping, support, and a comfortable fit.

• Bras with molded cups, like a lightly padded t-shirt bra, can help shape and provide a rounded appearance, giving a more defined look to conical breasts.
• Balconette bras have a lower cut and a horizontal neckline, which can complement conical breasts by providing lift and shaping.
• Bras with adjustable and convertible straps offer versatility in styling, allowing you to find a comfortable and supportive fit for conical breasts.
• Since most women with conical breasts don’t need much support, a bralette can be a great option.

East West Breasts

The defining factor of an East West breast shape is nipples that point in opposite directions, away from the center of the body. 

For breasts with an East West breast shape, where the nipples point outward rather than forward, it's essential to choose bras that provide proper support, centering, and shaping. 

• T-shirt bras with side-support panels can help pull the breasts inward, creating a more centered and forward-facing appearance.
• Full cup bras offer maximum coverage and support, helping to lift and center the breasts.
• Underwire bras can offer structure and support, helping to lift and center the breasts for a more forward-facing appearance.
• Bras with a front closure can be helpful for pulling the breasts towards the center, especially if traditional back closures may contribute to the east-west appearance.

Relaxed Breasts

A relaxed breast shape typically refers to breasts with thin or loose breast tissue, which causes the breast to have a softer shape that’s longer than it is wide. Nipples may also point downward, and you might notice sagging when not wearing a bra.

For a relaxed breast shape, which may have less upper fullness and a more natural, lower-hanging appearance, comfort and gentle support are key.

• Structured, wire-free bras with foam cups provide support without the discomfort of underwires.
• T-shirt bras with seamless cups offer a smooth silhouette without extra padding or structure, providing a relaxed and natural appearance.
• Underwire bras offer additional structure and support by lifting the breasts and helping to maintain their shape.
• Low support sports bras can provide comfortable compression 

Round Breasts

Round breast shapes have equal fullness at the top and bottom, resulting in a uniformly round shape.

For round breast shapes, where the fullness is distributed evenly throughout the breasts, many bra styles can work well to enhance the natural shape.

• T-shirt bras with seamless cups provide a smooth silhouette and showcase the natural roundness of the breasts without adding bulk.
• Demi bras have a lower cut, revealing more of the upper part of the breasts and enhancing their rounded appearance.
• Plunge bras with a lower center gore are suitable for low-cut tops and can showcase the natural round shape of the breasts.
• Soft, wire-free bras can offer comfort while still providing gentle support for round breast shapes.
• Unlined, full coverage bras can conform to breast tissue and provide extra coverage and lift.

Side-set Breasts

If you have a lot of space between each breast and your nipples point forward rather than outward, you most likely have side-set breasts. One tell-tale sign of this breast shape is a wide center gap with visible rib cage.

For side-set breasts, where there is more space between the breasts, the goal is often to bring them closer together for a more centered and balanced appearance. 

• Balconette bras have a lower cut and wide-set straps, helping to lift and bring the breasts towards the center.
• Plunge bras with a lower center gore are designed to create cleavage and bring the breasts closer together, making them suitable for side-set breast shapes.
• Push-up bras with padding at the bottom can enhance cleavage and provide lift, helping to create a more centralized look.
• Bras with side support panels help push the breasts towards the center, offering additional support and shaping.
• Front-closure bras can be helpful for bringing the breasts towards the center and avoiding the separation that can occur with traditional back closures.

Slender Breasts

If your breasts are longer than they are wide, they’re considered slender breasts. 

For slender breasts, you'll want bras that provide a flattering shape and gentle support. 

• Contour or T-shirt Bras have molded cups that provide a smooth shape, enhancing your natural silhouette.
• Demi bras cover about half of the breast, creating a lifted and rounded look without excessive coverage.
• Push-up bras can add a subtle lift and create the illusion of fuller breasts, enhancing your natural shape.
• Balconette bras lift the breasts and create a rounded look, making them a great choice for slender shapes.
• Opt for bras without underwire for a more comfortable fit, especially if you prefer a natural shape.
• Lightly padded bras provide a bit of shaping without adding bulk.

Teardrop Breasts

A teardrop breast shape is round overall, with a majority of breast tissue concentrated below the nipple and a narrower appearance at the top — much like a teardrop.

For teardrop-shaped breasts, where there is fullness at the bottom and less fullness at the top, you'll want bras that provide lift and support and complement the natural shape. 

• Balconette bras have a lower cut and a horizontal neckline, providing lift and shaping, which can complement the teardrop breast shape.
• Push-up bras with padding at the bottom can enhance cleavage and provide lift, creating a more rounded appearance at the top of the breasts.
• Plunge bras with a lower center gore are suitable for lower-cut tops and can enhance the natural teardrop breast shape.
• Demi bras have a lower cut and less coverage, allowing the top of the breasts to be more visible while still providing support.