Let’s be real - red flags don’t just show up in situationships, they live in our lingerie drawers too. 

Your bra might look cute, but if it’s causing pain, discomfort, or doing the bare minimum then girl - it’s time to let go. Here are 7 signs your bra is straight-up toxic, and what your body is really trying to tell you: 

If your bra’s band keeps climbing your back like it’s hiking Mount Everest, it’s not doing its job. The back band should sit low, snug, and straight — it’s where most of your support comes from. The band is responsible for nearly 80% of the support.  

Glow-Up Tip: Go for a smaller size. Start with the loosest hook - you can tighten it as the bra stretches over time.  

If your bust spills over the top or sides of your bra cups, creating an awkward bulge, that means that your cups are too small. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it also shows through clothes. Plus, wearing too-tight cups can irritate your skin and affect your posture.  

Glow-Up Tip: Go up a cup size and try full-coverage or molded cups that hold your bust without squashing it. Your girls deserve space to breathe, not squeeze.  

Are your shoulders always sore at the end of the day? If your straps are leaving deep red marks or causing aches, they’re doing way more work than they should. As mentioned earlier, your band should carry 80% of the weight - the straps are just backup. If the band is too loose, the straps overcompensate. That’s not just painful - it’s damaging in the long run. 

Glow-Up Tip: Adjust your straps so they’re secure but not biting. If that doesn’t help, size down your band or try bras with wider, cushioned straps. 

If the underwire is stabbing, sitting on breast tissue, or popping out of the fabric, the cup shape or size is likely wrong for your body. In some cases, it may just be a worn-out bra. Your underwire should sit against your ribs, not poke into it. It should also surround your bust, not cut into it.  

Glow-Up Tip: Try styles with softer, flexible underwires or go wireless entirely — modern wire-free bras can still offer amazing lift and shape.  

Opposite of spillage? The sad cup gap. If you’ve got empty space between your bust and the bra, it’s likely too big or the wrong shape for you. Gaping cups can make your clothes sit weird, affect your posture, and just give you off kind of a vibe. This often happens if your bra has molded cups that don’t flex with your body.  

Glow-Up Tip: Try sizing down the cup or look for bras with stretchable cups that adapt to your shape. Styles like balconette bras or bralettes with flexible fabric often solve this issue. 

If your band feels like a punishment by mid-day - itchy, tight, digging in - that’s not love, that’s a chokehold. An overly tight band can cause irritation, restrict your breathing, and create unflattering bulges. Wearing the wrong band size is one of the biggest bra mistakes out there and we’ve all been there.  

Glow-up Tip: Move up a band size or choose bras with softer fabrics like microfiber, or cotton blends. Breathability and flexibility are key, especially for daily wear. 

Wrinkled cups? Saggy straps? Dent in the padding? Your bra might be past its prime. A worn-out bra not only lacks support, but can also affect how your clothes fit and how you carry yourself. If it’s losing its shape, it’s time to part ways.  

Glow-up Tip: If you wear a bra regularly, consider replacing it every 6 to 12 months. Store bras properly (don’t fold cups into each other) and wash with care to extend their life.