Best Bras for Wide-Set Breasts

What goes wrong in the wrong bra

• The inner edge of each cup is empty or wrinkled.
• The wires at the centre sit on flat chest, and the wires at the sides sit on breast tissue.
• The cups seem too small at the outside and too big at the inside at the same time.
• Narrow plunges pull the cups inward and leave your outer breast uncovered.

All of these mean the cups are positioned too close together for you.

What to look for

A wider centre panel

Balconettes, full-cup bras and many T-shirt bras have a wider centre panel than plunges. That places each cup further out, where your breasts are. This is the most reliable fix when the aim is simply a comfortable fit.

Wires that reach far enough round

Wide-set breasts often sit towards the sides of the chest. Check that the outer end of the wire finishes behind the breast tissue. If it sits on tissue, you need a wider wire or a larger cup.

Side support

A firm panel at the outer edge of the cup directs tissue forward and inward. It narrows the look from the front without forcing anything.

Front-fastening bras

The clasp takes up space at the centre, so the cups are naturally set apart. Many people who are wide set find these fit well.

If you want the breasts brought together

That is a matter of preference, and several features help.

• A plunge with side support. The angled cup pushes in from the side. Choose one where the centre is low, and check the inner cup is filled.
• Padding at the outer and lower cup. Push-up pads placed there move tissue towards the centre. Bras with removable pads let you position them.
• A moulded cup with a firm outer edge.

Be realistic about the result. A bra can reposition soft tissue. It cannot move where the breasts are attached, and on firm tissue with a wide gap, a bra will narrow the space and not close it.

What to be wary of

• Very narrow plunge centres without side support. The cups are pulled to the middle and your breasts stay where they are.
• Bralettes with a narrow centre and triangle cups set close together. Look for wider-set triangles or a scoop-neck crop style.
• Going up a cup size to cover the outer breast. It adds room at the centre, where you already have too much.

Related shapes

If your breasts also point outward, read east-west breast shape, as the two often go together. For the opposite situation, see best bras for close-set breasts.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my breasts are wide set?

Place your fingers flat on your breastbone between your breasts. If three or more fit in the gap, you are wide set. One to two is average.

Which bra gives cleavage for wide-set breasts?

A plunge or push-up with side support, angled padding and a centre panel that is not too narrow. The cups push inward from the sides. How much the breasts will meet depends on your tissue and frame.

Why is the inside of my bra cup empty?

The cups are set closer together than your breasts are. The inner part of each cup sits over the flat of your chest. Look for a wider centre panel.