Help! My Underwire is Digging In. Here’s How to Fix It

Introduction

It’s a pain that is all too familiar: that sharp, relentless digging of an underwire. It can feel like a constant poke in the ribs, a pinch under your armpit, or a painful pressure against your breastbone. Many of us just accept this as a normal part of wearing a bra, silently suffering through the day and sighing with relief the moment we can take it off.

We’re here to tell you that this is not normal. A well-fitting bra should be comfortable and supportive, and its underwire should feel virtually invisible. If your underwire is digging in, it’s not you—it’s your bra. It’s a clear signal that something is wrong with the fit.

The good news is that this problem is almost always fixable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the three most common reasons your underwire is causing you pain and give you the simple solutions to find lasting comfort.

Reason #1: Your Band Size is Too Big

This sounds counterintuitive, right? If something is digging in, your first instinct is to think it’s too small. But when it comes to bras, a band that is too loose is the number one cause of underwire pain.

The Problem: Your bra’s band is designed to provide 90% of the support. When the band is too loose, it doesn’t anchor the bra firmly to your body. As you move, the entire bra shifts, causing the underwires to slip down and dig into your ribs or the soft tissue of your breasts.

The Fix:

1. Check Your Band: Put on your bra and look in the mirror. The band should be snug and perfectly parallel to the floor. If it’s riding up your back, it’s too big. You should only be able to fit two fingers snugly underneath the back clasp.
2. Go Down a Band Size (and Up a Cup Size): Try a smaller band size. Remember the “sister size” rule: when you go down one band size, you must go up one cup size to keep the cup volume the same. For example, if your painful 42G is too loose in the band, your new starting size should be a 40H.

➡️ Need a refresher on measuring? Check out our complete How to Actually Measure Your Bra Size at Home Guide.

Reason #2: Your Cup Size is Too Small

This is the second most common culprit, especially for pain at the front and sides of your breasts.

The Problem: If your cup size is too small, your breast tissue can’t fit fully inside the cup. Instead, it spills over the top or gets pushed down underneath. This forces the underwire to sit on your breast tissue instead of flush against your ribcage just below it. An underwire resting on soft breast tissue will always dig in and cause pain. This is also the main reason underwires poke out and dig into your armpit.

The Fix:

1. Look for the “Quad-Boob”: If your breasts are spilling over the top of the cups, creating two “extra” bumps, your cup size is too small.
2. Check the Center Gore: The panel between the cups (the gore) should lie completely flat against your sternum. If it’s lifting away from your body, your breasts are pushing it out, which means the cups are too small.
3. Go Up a Cup Size: Try the same band size but go up one or even two cup sizes. For example, if you’re spilling out of that 40H, try a 40I or 40J. The wire should completely encircle your breast tissue without sitting on it.

Reason #3: You’re Wearing the Wrong Bra Shape

Sometimes you can have the right size, but the underwire still hurts. This is usually a sign that the shape of the bra isn’t compatible with the shape of your breasts or your ribcage.

The Problem: Not all breasts are the same shape, and neither are bras. Some women have a wider root (where the breast attaches to the body), while others are narrower and more projected. If you have a wide root but are wearing a bra with a narrow underwire, the wire will inevitably dig into your side and armpit. Similarly, if the center gore is too wide or too high for your chest, it will poke and dig into your breastbone.

The Fix:

1. Try a Different Style: If you’re wearing a full-coverage bra with a high center gore, try a plunge bra, which has a much lower and narrower gore. If your current bra feels too narrow at the sides, look for brands known for wider wires, like Elomi or Goddess.
2. Check the Wire Width: Take off your bra and look at the red marks left by the underwire. Do they follow the natural crease of your breast, or are they sitting on top of breast tissue at the side? If they’re on the tissue, you need a bra with a wider wire.

➡️ Ready to find a comfortable new bra? Explore our guide to The 7 Best Supportive Bras for Large Busts to find a style that works for you.

Conclusion: Comfort is Not a Luxury

You should never have to “just deal with” a painful bra. Underwire pain is your body’s way of telling you that the fit isn’t right. By understanding these three common issues, you can troubleshoot your fit, find the right size and shape, and finally experience the blissful feeling of a truly comfortable and supportive underwire bra. You deserve it.