Identitty parade: These are the seven types of boob – which category are you in?
The sections include east-west, bells, teardrops and side-set
SIZE does matter, but not as much as shape – when it comes to buying a bra, that is.
For the “bust” fit of all, it helps to know if your boobs are east-west, bells, teardrops, side-set or any of the SEVEN natural breast shapes identified by American lingerie company Third Love.
Here DIANA APPLEYARD hears from seven women who each represent one of the different boob shapes, while a bra-fitting expert reveals which style best suits each shape.
SLENDER
LAW student Eleanor Taylor, 35, is single and lives in Bromley, Kent. She says:
“I am a size 32A or B and I am really happy that I have small, slender boobs.
“They look better in clothes and I would not like to have large, heavy breasts.
“If I want some cleavage I wear a push-up bra, and it doesn’t stop me wearing sexy low-cut tops.
“It can be hard to find bras though, because the small ones tend to pinch and if they are too tight I spill over the sides.
“Men have never complained – it’s the shape and perkiness that matters.”
EAST-WEST
JENNY Fisher, 24, works in fashion.
She lives in Bromley, Kent, with her partner Alistair, 36, a film director.
She says:“I have a gap between my breasts and they point in different directions.
“They are lovely and perky, so it isn’t anything I worry about and my partner Alistair loves them.
But it is hard to get a bra to fit.
“I am very happy with the size of my boobs – I’m a 34B – and I would not want them any bigger.
“They look great in tight tops and it’s easier to wear fashionable clothes when you have smaller boobs.
“I am also tall and slender.
“I am 5ft 10in and a size 8 with a model figure, so my boobs suit my overall shape.”
TEARDROP
VERITY Slattery, 29, works in events and marketing.
Single, she lives in Mill Hill, North London.
She says: “My boobs are like little pancakes at the top and when I want to wear a low-cut top I have to wear a strongly underwired Wonderbra to achieve any kind of fullness up top.
“I buy clothes which accentuate their shape, such as low-cut V-neck tops.
“The sexiness is in the cup size, and I am a size 32D so there is no complaining from men!
“We are all made in different shapes and sizes.
“We should all be positive about our boobs and make the most of them.”
SIDE SET
MAKE-UP artist Sarah Walters, 24, is single and lives in Kilburn, North-West
London. She says:
“My boobs are very wide apart and to get a cleavage I have to wear an under-wired, push-up bra.
“I’m a 36B but they are perky with the nipple in the middle and they suit my athletic shape and figure.
“I don’t think all men like huge boobs, some like small, neat boobs like mine.
“I do struggle to get bras to fit – the trend is for them to push your boobs together.
“I like to have support too, to make them look fuller.
“I’d never want to change my shape.”
ASYMMETRICAL
STAY-at-home mum Jess Ling, 23, lives in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, with Alicia, six, and three-year-old Sasha.
She says: “I used to be self-conscious about my asymmetrical boobs, but I feel more confident now the children are a bit older.
“When I am wearing a bra and clothes it’s harder to tell they are different sizes, but when I am naked it is quite pronounced.
“But my boyfriend loves them and has made me feel much better about myself.
“I tend to buy a slightly bigger bra size to fit one of them and then pad the
other side.”
BELL-SHAPED
WEBSITE designer Saskia Vesey, 33, is single and lives in Retford near Doncaster.
She says: “Men love my heavy, bell-shaped boobs – I love that big, full ones are in fashion, thanks to the Kardashians.
“They are so distracting that guys can have a problem talking to my face.
“I was a late developer, having done gymnastics in my teens.
“I wonder if that has affected their shape because my chest is quite muscular.
“They are 32G and look fantastic in tight tops.”
ROUND
TRAINEE hair and make-up artist Lucy Turner, 21, lives in Benfleet, Essex.
Her partner, Joe, 21, works in recruitment. Lucy says:
“People approach me in clubs and say, ‘I can’t believe your boobs are real!’
“I’m proud to say they are.
“I’m a 30E and it can be tricky getting bras to fit.
“I am narrow across the back, but then I have these lovely round boobs which
sit fairly high on my chest.
“I wear plunging bras to show off their fullness, but I can also go braless because my boobs barely move when I take my bra off.
“The only problem is when it comes to sport.
“I have to wear a very firm sports bra to cut down the bounce factor.”
BRA-VO IT FITS
We asked Chantelle Crabb, Bra Whisperer at Curvy Kate, to help ladies find the
right bra to fit their boob shapes.
Round:
“If you have round breasts, you’re lucky as they tend to fit into most styles. It’s a case of trying on and seeing what you like the most.
It’s usually best to go for a non-padded style as nature has done a lot of the work for you and given you full, pert breasts.”
East-West:
“East-West boobs point outwards away from the body, the best style for these type of breasts is a padded plunge bra that will bring them back towards the middle, as well as even out the shape creating more of a cleavage.”
Side-set:
“This mean your breasts sit at the side of your body with a large gap in between.
Again it’s all about the plunge, try a soft-cup plunge or a style with a side sling to pull you in at the sides and push those boobs forward.”
Tear Drop:
“Tear drop breasts mean all the weight is carried in the bottom.
Try a padded balcony bra to lift them up but still give a great rounded shape.”
Slender:
“Slender breass are slim so need a bra with slightly narrower wires and more projection.
A padded push-up bra should do the trick in lifting and giving volume.
Equally if you have smaller breasts, do try a cute bralet, they look great in summer.
Just remember to wear a properly supportive bra the rest of the time to make sure your breasts don’t sag.”
Asymmetric:
“With asymmetrical boobs the trick is to find a bra that fits to your largest breast.
Then adjust the straps to coax the other cup into fitting.
“The best style for doing this is a padded or moulded cup as the fabric won’t
wrinkle and any gaping or puckering will be less noticeable.”
Bell-shaped:
“This type of breast is similar to a tear-drop so lends itself to a balcony style.
Try a soft cup, laminated bra as this provides a firm but discreet fit.
Bell shapes tend to be larger so the correct fit is even more crucial - ensure you get fitted properly so they are fully supported.”
Overall tip: “Please remember that all women’s breast are different and can change regularly, including which category you fit into.
Learning how to recognise that your bra isn’t fitting and taking the appropriate actions to find the correct size is key.
Get to know your boobs and what works for them and you will reap the rewards.”
