Why are sports bras for big boobs so hard to find?

“No matter how someone defines movement, we want them to feel seen and supported.”

Last year, I wrote an article about road-testing sports bras for big boobs. Considering I have to wear three layers of clothing to reduce even the slightest hint of bounce on a run, I jumped at the opportunity. How hard could it be?

I’d get sent a bunch of bras, try them on and the article could go live at the end of the week. Oh, how wrong we were. With all of the plus-size lines, racial, gender and sexual diversity we’ve seen in fashion campaigns and the sporting world over the last decade, why is finding sports bras for bigger boobs still so damn hard? 

For more musings on big boobs in fashion, head here. 

For Nike’s VP of Women’s Apparel Product Design, Tania Flynn, the right sports bra is the perfect blend of art, science and style. Having been with Nike for over 18 years, she understands how difficult it can be for women to navigate the world of bigger breasts and exercise. As a young girl, Tania had firsthand experience wrestling to layer sports bras, struggling to get the support she really needed.

“It’s about making sure we’re creating the product to fit your shapes, proportions and sizes, and there’s also the choice of how you’d like your garment to fit,” Tania told Fashion Journal back in April. Not only should women with bigger busts be able to find a sports bra that fits, but they should be given the luxury of choice. 

I think all bigger-busted women understand the frustration of trying to find a sports bra that not only fits but supports. How does Nike ensure its sports bras are designed for all bodies/busts?

I am so passionate about this topic. When I was younger and started developing, I was very self-conscious during physical activity – at times wearing two sports bras to get the support I needed. I realise the importance of making girls feel confident during this stage. I am driven by that purpose to support girls and women in this space.

At Nike, we’re entering a new age of size-specific design and I could not be more thrilled. I call it a ‘fit revolution’, and I really do think it’s going to make so many more women feel seen, heard, supported and ready to take on whatever – in their lives and on their fitness journeys!

Our team designs with a fit for everybody in mind. That means we’re obsessed with crafting the perfect fit for every shape and size – from XXS to 4X – around the world. We never want our consumer to have to sacrifice her personal style for support, and we’re constantly evolving our product line to bring her a complete offering of choice to fuel how she wants to look, feel and move in a sports bra.

You’ve been at Nike for almost two decades. How have you seen sports bra technology change over time?

There has been an incredible evolution in our product innovation over the past two decades. In fact, in the past four years, we have doubled our investment in women’s specific product innovation.

Recently, we’ve reinvented the end-to-end development of our bra offering at Nike. This includes innovative technology that has helped us better understand fit, movement, sweat patterns and more. These new capabilities and knowledge only increase the speed at which we can assess and create bras for her body and movement.

How has Nike adapted its sports bra design to support how we move while exercising?

We know movement is personal and variable and there is a wider spectrum of how people define movement than ever before. All that diversity of movement just means more people are being active, which is exciting! From a design perspective, we’re designing for how she wants to feel… and how she wants to move.

And at Nike, that means giving her meaningful choices – not options – so she can express herself and her unique sense of style. Each of our bra franchises – Alate, Indy and Swoosh, now come in at least two support levels per bra. So, she can have a choice when it comes to the support she needs for her movements, without sacrificing style. No matter how someone defines movement, we want them to feel seen and supported.

When physically trying a sports bra on, what are some indicators to look for when finding the right fit?

It’s all about the straps – they should feel secure but not dig. [And] the band – no gaping or bulging, and the level of support needed for your activity. Move around and test it out. [Also,] let’s not forget style preference! We have a great fit tutorial… that walks consumers through these indicators.

For more on living with big boobs head here.