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Breast Shape Dictionary

Find Your Fit

Nine shapes. Nine ways to fit.

Understanding your breast shape is essential to finding bras that fit well, feel comfortable and enhance your natural silhouette. Montelle has identified nine common shapes, each with its own bra recommendations.

What's Your Boob Type?

At Montelle we understand that not all breasts are created equal — though they are all equally beautiful — which is why we offer a diverse range of styles for every shape and size. Explore the nine most common shapes and the best styles for each, then head to our bra style guide to learn more about each silhouette.

Click on your type to see our recommendations

Asymmetric breast shape

Asymmetric

Shape :

Breasts are two different sizes.

It is incredibly common for breasts to differ in size, with nearly half of all women experiencing some degree of asymmetry — ranging from a subtle variation to a full cup size difference. This profile frequently pairs with any of the other natural breast shapes.

Fit tip

To balance your silhouette, look for styles with removable pads or memory foam inserts that let you customise the lift and even out your shape.

Recommended Bras :

Demi-Cup

Wire-Free

Full Coverage

Shop All Recommendations
Athletic breast shape

Athletic

Shape :

Wider, more muscular, less breast tissue.

This profile typically features a wider, more muscular chest wall with firmer breast tissue. Because volume is naturally distributed differently — often with less fullness at the top of the breast — cup gaping can frequently occur in standard styles.

Fit tip

Look for plunges, demi-cups or bralettes that hug your natural contours without requiring top fullness — styles that lift, shape and frame your silhouette comfortably.

Recommended Bras :

Demi-Cup

Balconette

Wire-Free

Shop All Recommendations
Bell breast shape

Bell

Shape :

Narrow top and rounder bottom.

Bell-shaped breasts are narrower at the top and round out to a fuller, heavier base. This profile is most common among women with larger cup sizes. In minimal coverage silhouettes like demi or balconette styles, you may experience spilling or overflow due to the concentrated fullness at the bottom.

Fit tip

For all-day comfort and containment, look for full-coverage styles with supportive, plush memory foam straps that lift effectively without digging into your shoulders.

Recommended Bras :

Demi-Cup

Push-up

Plunge

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East West breast shape

East West

Shape :

Breasts and nipples curve outward to opposite directions.

True to the name, east west breasts have a wide-set profile where the tissue naturally gravitates away from the centre of the chest, with nipples pointing outward in opposite directions. Because of this positioning, creating a centralised, defined cleavage can be a challenge in standard styles.

Fit tip

To guide your silhouette inward, opt for styles with side-support panels, plunges, or gentle push-up padding that bring tissue upward and toward the centre.

Recommended Bras :

Push-up

Wire-Free

Plunge

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Relaxed breast shape

Relaxed

Shape :

Breasts have looser tissue, nipples point downward.

Relaxed breasts typically feature softer, more lax tissue, with nipples that naturally point downward. This profile is generally characterised by a longer, elongated shape that hangs more vertically.

Fit tip

To gently lift and create a more rounded appearance, opt for styles with a slightly lower or shorter cup silhouette — plunges or demi-cups — which help hug and enhance fullness at the top of the breast.

Recommended Bras :

Full Coverage

Demi-Cup

Wire-Free

Shop All Recommendations
Round breast shape

Round

Shape :

Equal fullness at top and bottom.

Round breasts feature a balanced profile with equal fullness at both the top and the bottom. Because this shape naturally provides its own structure and lift, you'll likely find heavy support or thick padding completely unnecessary for your daily wardrobe.

Fit tip

Your naturally symmetrical shape means almost any silhouette will fit beautifully. For a relaxed, effortless feel, opt for lightweight wireless bras; when you want a lifted look, a balconette is the perfect choice.

Recommended Bras :

Wire-Free

Full Coverage

Cup-Sized Bralette

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Side Set breast shape

Side Set

Shape :

Breasts are further apart, space between breasts.

While similar to the east west profile due to a wide-set centre space, side set breasts typically feature a fuller shape, with nipples that face forward rather than outward.

Fit tip

To maximise your natural fullness, look for styles with a low centre gore, plunges, or side-support panels that gently lift and draw your breasts closer together for a centred look.

Recommended Bras :

Push-up

Racerback

Pure Plus

Shop All Recommendations
Slender breast shape

Slender

Shape :

Narrow, long breasts with nipples pointing downward.

Slender breasts are characterised by a more elongated silhouette, where the breasts are slightly longer than they are wide. This profile generally features a smaller cup size with tissue that rests gently, and nipples that may point downward.

Fit tip

To enhance your natural profile, opt for shallow-cup silhouettes like plunges, demi-cups or balconettes, which comfortably hold the tissue and offer a subtle, flattering lift.

Recommended Bras :

Demi-Cup

Balconette

Wire-Free

Shop All Recommendations
Tear Drop breast shape

Tear Drop

Shape :

Round breast shape, slightly fuller at bottom.

Teardrop breasts share a similar profile to the bell-shaped category, with a beautifully rounded lower half but slightly less fullness at the very top. Because of this gentle slope, you may notice slight gaping at the top of the cups in rigid full-coverage styles.

Fit tip

Your symmetrical, bottom-full silhouette is highly versatile and accommodates a wide variety of necklines. To hug your contours and enhance upper volume, a balconette or plunge is an excellent choice.

Recommended Bras :

Demi-Cup

Balconette

Push-up

Shop All Recommendations

Why understanding your breast shape matters

Why shape matters

Your breast shape plays a critical role in fit, comfort and style. It determines which silhouettes will most beautifully flatter and support you. Fuller busts require deeper cups and a highly supportive band, while smaller busts can effortlessly wear demi-cups and delicate bralettes.

What determines breast shape?

Genetics play the primary role, establishing the core structure and placement — tissue density, fat distribution, skin elasticity and nipple position. Breasts are made up of connective tissue, fat and milk glands, and the ratio between them dictates your overall shape.

Does breast shape change over time?

Your silhouette naturally adapts through different chapters of life. Many women see variation linked to monthly cycles, weight changes or major milestones. As oestrogen declines around menopause, connective tissue gradually loses elasticity, resulting in a softer texture and a natural shift in position.

All breast shapes are beautiful

There's no blueprint for the "ideal" silhouette — only a beautiful spectrum of unique shapes. Sizing and style charts are simply tools to help you understand your body so you can find the support you deserve.