What Are the Breast Forms: A Thorough Guide

Breast forms are designed to enhance, restore, or give the appearance of breasts. They’re used by everyone: transgender women, cross-dressers, drag queens, cosplayers, and even cis women. But here’s the thing, they can be expensive—the more detailed, the higher the price. For example, a high-end breast form with realistic areolas and nipples will cost a lot more.

Now, what exactly are breast forms? How do we choose the right one? First, consider the shape—some are teardrop-shaped, while others are round or asymmetrical. Then, think about texture and finish. Do you want something with a shiny or matte finish? Also, breast forms can vary in how much they project from the body and how concave they are on the backside.

Material

When it comes to materials, most breast forms are made of silicone, foam, or latex. Silicone forms are the most realistic—they move like natural breasts and even absorb body heat. Foam forms are lightweight but don’t move or feel as real, and they’re more prone to absorbing dirt. Latex forms are harder to come by and can cause allergic reactions, but they offer a more silicone-like feel.

Styles

Now, if you’re like most of us going from a flat chest to full breasts, breast forms are a great option to feminize your figure and fill out clothing properly. They can even make dresses fit better since many designs are made with boobs in mind. And once you’ve got that perfect pair of breast forms, you’ll notice you lead with your chest instead of your belly, which is typical for men.

As for the breast form styles, you’ve got options like symmetrical forms, which are identical on both sides, or teardrop forms, which are more subtle and ideal for passing. Triangular forms project more and are great if you’re looking for an extra busty look, while asymmetrical forms offer the most realistic shape since they mimic the way natural breast tissue extends to the underarms and back.

Wearing Fit

Now, about the fit—when you’re wearing these, you kind of want to “bounce them like you just don’t care.” As you move up and down, it feels like not just your boobs, but the entire neck region moves with you. A little hack is to use adhesive that you’d typically use with attachable forms and apply it to your neck so that when you bounce, only the breast forms move, not the whole area.

Another thing worth mentioning is how you care for breast forms. After use, it’s important to put them back into the casing they came in. With breastplates, though, you should hang them up like a shirt to avoid wrinkles. Breastplates tend to be the most expensive breast forms, starting around $170 and going up to over $1,000, but they offer great quality.

How Do You Choose the Right Breast Form?

You’ll need to know two measurements, but there’s a bit of a trick to it. We’ll cover that in a moment. First, you need to measure your band size (around the bottom of your chest) and your bust size (nipple to nipple). Make sure you’re using a mirror for accuracy.

Let’s say your band measures 36 inches, and your bust is 39 inches. That gives us 36 for the band size and 39 for the bust. How do we interpret that? Well, the 36 is your band size, and the 39 is your bust size. The difference between these two measurements determines your cup size. In this case, three inches more than the band means you’re looking at a 36C.

Here’s how the letters work:

• 1 inch difference = A cup
• 2 inches = B cup
• 3 inches = C cup
• And so on, up to larger sizes like D, E, F, etc.

If you have a flat chest, you might be thinking, “Well, I’m probably a double A.” But don’t worry! Even if you don’t have natural cleavage, you can still find a breast form that works for you.

To start, measure your band size, and then choose how big you want your bust to be. You can go conservative with a B or C, or go all out with a larger size like a J. Keep in mind that proportion is key for passing. Forms that are too large might make finding clothes difficult and attract unwanted attention.

Many cross-dressers have different sizes for different occasions, while trans women often opt for a more natural size to wear regularly. Breast form retailers offer a range of sizes, often labeled as medium, large, XL, and so on. But it’s important to note that cup sizes are not universal; they vary depending on the band size. A 28C will be much smaller than a 40C, for example.

When choosing a form, consider your body type. If you have a smaller frame, go for a more modest size. Larger frames might require larger forms for balance. If you’re unsure between two sizes, I’d recommend going smaller, as you can always add padding. Once you go too big, it’s hard to tone it down.

Think about what you’re wearing, too. Are you going for a casual look or something more dramatic? Will you be wearing a low-cut top, where the form might show? Also, check if the form has textured nipples, as these can sometimes be visible through certain fabrics.

For first-timers, I recommend starting with a padded bra. It’s a good way to gauge what volume you’re comfortable with. Also, consider the shape of your chest and whether a concave interior would help the form stick better. Broad shoulders might benefit from asymmetrical forms to create a balanced look.

Next, consider your daily activities. Are you exercising or sweating a lot? Do you plan to sleep in the forms? Some forms are sleep-safe, but many silicone gel forms are not, as they can burst or lose shape over time.