6 Biggest Bra Struggles for Small Backs & Big Busts

If you have a small back but a larger bust, you know the struggle of finding a bra that actually fits—one that provides proper support, comfort, and style without sacrificing any of these essentials. Many mainstream brands don’t cater to this niche sizing, leaving you feeling unsupported (literally and figuratively!). But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Struggling to Find a Supportive Bra for Your Small Back and Large Bust?

You'll know if you're part of this (not so exclusive) club if you often purchase Small, Medium, Large sized bras and you can't get any of them to fit you properly. Don't worry, we get it and, more importantly, we know how to fix it!

At MAAREE, we were founded by a sports bra tester who learned about all the issues women are experiencing in this area and has hands-on experience of fixing them. We specialise in producing high-support bras that perform and are designed for real women, including those with a small band and full bust. Let’s dive into how to find the best bra for your shape and which styles will give you the support you need.

Why It’s So Hard to Find a Bra for a Small Back and Big Bust?

Many bras are designed with a specific body shape ratio in mind, often overlooking those who need a smaller band size with a larger cup. This can result in:

Gaps in the band or straps that slip because they’re not tight enough around your ribcage.
Poor sizing availability as bras are often graded up in size without adjusting structural integrity.
Discomfort and digging straps from putting too much weight on your shoulders instead of distributing it evenly.
Lack of support as weak or incredibly elastic fabrics are used to construct these bras, which need to cover a vast variety of sizing within one size.

This is exactly why a well-engineered sports bra (like the ones we offer at MAAREE) can change the game for you.

6 Biggest Bra Struggles & How to Solve Them

1. Bands That Ride Up

❌ The problem: Many women with a small back struggle with bra bands that don’t sit firmly against their ribcage, causing discomfort and lack of support. To resolve it, you may try to tighten your straps, but as the band is too big, all it will do is pull your bra up at the back.

✅ The solution: You need a snug enough band to ensure the weight of your breasts are mostly supported by the underband, not your shoulder straps. 80% of your support should come from your underband, not your straps.

2. Straps That Dig In

❌ The problem: Leading on from the point above, if you are someone who tightens their shoulder straps when you need more support, you'll likely find that this increases the tension over the shoulders. This can result in straps digging in, causing pain and affects you to change your posture. Shoulder straps on larger breasted bras need to hold more weight. So they can cause discomfort if they are too thin, especially for women with a fuller bust.

✅ The solution: Opt for bras with wider straps that evenly distribute weight , reducing strain on your shoulders. Ensuring once again that the underband is snug enough to be taking the majority of that weight.

3. Lack of Support & Bounce Control

❌ The problem: A common complaint is that bras don’t provide enough bounce control, making movement uncomfortable. Since almost all Small / Medium / Large sports bras are made using elastic fabrics to ensure they cover as many different sizes as they possibly can, this results in poor support and excessive breast bounce. Additionally, to stop that bounce you may wear something super constricting to try and reduce that pesky bounce. Resulting in it affecting your breathing.

✅ The solution: Try bras with Overband® Technology, which minimises bounce from above by restricting the range of motion your breasts are allowed to move, instead of relying on compression alone.

4. Cups That Don't Fit Properly

Have you ever thought, 'if only I could take the band size from the medium size bra and the bust from the large size bra to make my perfect bra'? Many women with fuller busts and smaller backs find that they get cup spillage, leading to an improper fit.

✅ The solution: Look for traditional bra sizes that separate band and cup. For example 34E, instead of Medium. It's imperative that us small-back-large-cup girlies stick to traditional bra sizes. This way you can ensure you get a snug enough underband size, while still leaving you plenty of room for your bust. Separating these two sizes out can make a world of difference.

5. Limited Adjustability

❌ The problem: Everyone is different even those who wear the same size will often be different body types. That's why it can be incredibly helpful if you find a bra that has further adjustability on it. Allowing you to tailor the bar further to your own body.

✅ The solution: The best bras for small backs and big busts offer multiple points of adjustability , like the Solidarity Bra , which features 8 different adjustments for a truly custom fit.

6. Struggling to Find Quality Options in Your Size

❌ The problem: Many mainstream retailers don’t cater to niche sizing needs. It's much easier, simpler and most cost effective to produce a smaller size range when it comes to bras. So it can be a struggle to find brands who provide an extensive enough size range.

✅ The solution: Stick to speciality brands that prioritise small back and large bust fits, like MAAREE, which designs bras specifically for high support and adjustability.

Where to Buy Bras for Small Backs and Big Busts

If you’re looking for high-quality bras that cater specifically to your needs, consider specialist brands like MAAREE that prioritise support and innovation.

1. Best High-Impact Activities: Solidarity Sports Bra

8 points of adjustability for a customised fit
Overband® Technology to minimise bounce
Designed for maximum support without discomfort

2. Best for Shapely Support: Battle Sports Bra

Our widest ever shoulder strap, and it's convertible
Underwired support to give you a shapely silhouette
Ideal for transitioning form day bra to workout bra

3. Best for Everyday Support & Comfort: Seamless Bra

Perfect for everyday wear and light workouts
Made for larger busts in mind
Soft, breathable and strong fabric for long-term comfort

Additionally, here are some external resources for further reading:

Final Thoughts: The Perfect Fit is Within Reach

Finding a bra when you have a small back and large bust doesn’t have to be frustrating. With the right knowledge and the best styles at your fingertips, you can find a bra that offers support, comfort, and confidence.

💡 Explore the MAAREE range today and experience the difference in a bra made for you! Shop now.

6 Biggest Bra Struggles for Small Backs & Big Busts – And How to Fix Them!