Most women with big boobs have experienced painful straps and chalked it down to " oh well, my boobs are big, so this is one of my struggles." Fortunately for us, this is a lie; painful straps can be fixed because they are not a "big boob struggle" but a tell-tale sign of an ill-fitting bra.
So why are painful straps so common among big-busted women?
Most women with big busts wear larger than necessary band sizes because most shops don't offer big cup sizes on small band sizes. They compromise on the band sizing because, let's face it, not many people can get away with wearing cups that are too small; it's way too obvious! Generally, if they try smaller band sizes, the cups become too small, resulting in spillage.
What is causing the pain?
Bras must carry the weight of your boobs from the band, with the shoulder straps providing only that final "lift". In most cases, a bra band that is too big will ride up at the back as the weight of the boobs pulls it up through the straps, which can hurt, especially when the bust is large and shoulder straps are thin. When your band is too big, it becomes too loose to carry the weight of your boobs, shifting this weight to the shoulder straps.
How to fix it.
Go a Band size lower than your current Bra Size to get a firmer fit and more support from the Band. Bra Band sizes run in even numbers from 28, 30, 32, 34, etc., up to 46. If you wear a 36 and experience painful straps, try a 34 with a bigger cup size.
Remember: Always increase your cup size immediately when you reduce your band size. A "D" cup on a smaller band size is smaller than a D cup on a larger band. For example, if you are experiencing painful straps with a 34F, you would need to start with a 32FF or 32G, depending on whether your cup fit was good. UK Cup sizes run from D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, and K.
Word of caution: