Athletic, relaxed or side set: Lingerie experts identify NINE different breast shapes - so which type do you have?

  • San Francisco based ThirdLove have identified nine breast shapes
  • Two new additions to Breast Shape Directory are Athletic and Relaxed 
  • Athletic breasts are wider and more muscular with less tissue  
  • Relaxed breasts have lax tissue and downward pointing nipples  

By Siofra Brennan For Mailonline

Published: 09:00 EST, 11 October 2016 | Updated: 09:00 EST, 11 October 2016

A lingerie firm that previously identified seven different breast shapes to help women find the right underwear has added two new types to the mix. 

ThirdLove, based in San Francisco, have now included Athletic and Relaxed breasts in its 'Breast Shape Dictionary', joining shapes such as the Side Set and East West. 

And ThirdLove has also released new drawings of the shapes to help you figure out which category you fit into.

Scroll down for video 

Experts from the lingerie brand ThirdLove have identified two new breast shapes, including Athleticm which are wider and more muscular with less tissue
Relaxed breasts feature downward pointing nipples and lax tissue

Experts from the lingerie brand ThirdLove have identified two new breast shapes, Athletic (left) and Relaxed (right) 

1. ATHLETIC 

If you have athletic breasts, this means they are wider and more muscular with less tissue. 

A classic push up bra is the best choice of underwear to create the illusion of curves. 

2. RELAXED 

Nipples that point downwards is one sign that you have relaxed breasts. 

And if the tissue in the breasts feels quite lax, this is another indicator.  

Again, a push up bra will help to lift the breasts and give you some confidence-boosting shape.  

If your breasts are a round shape and are equally full on top and bottom, then you're lucky enough not to need too much support. You can probably get away with a thin bra without underwire as you don't need to change the position of your breasts
If you have smaller breasts that gravitate to the outside of the chest then you're an East West and a t-shirt bra will help to create a smooth silhouette and pull the breasts in

If your breasts are a round shape and are equally full on top and bottom, then you're lucky enough not to need too much support (left). If you have smaller breasts that gravitate to the outside of the chest then you're an East West (right)

3. ROUND

 If your breasts are a round shape and are equally full on top and bottom, then you're lucky enough not to need too much support. 

You can probably get away with a thin bra without underwire as you don't need to change the position of your breasts. 

Side set breasts are fuller than East Wests but still fall outwards, and there's also a wide space between breasts 

Side set breasts are fuller than East Wests but still fall outwards, and there's also a wide space between breasts 

4. EAST WEST

If you have smaller breasts that gravitate to the outside of the chest then you're an East West. 

Another sign is nipples that point outwards and a gap between your cleavage.  

A t-shirt bra will help to create a smooth silhouette and pull the breasts in, giving you a more streamlined shape. 

Breasts that are smaller at the top than they are at the bottom and are longer than they are wide are considered Slender, especially if they're on the small side
If your breasts are slimmer at the top and fuller at the bottom, then you're a Bell Shape (right). You should avoid skimpy balconette style bras and choose something with plenty of material that offers good coverage

Breasts that are smaller at the top than they are at the bottom and are longer than they are wide are considered Slender, especially if they're on the small side (left). If your breasts are slimmer at the top and fuller at the bottom, then you're a Bell Shape (right)

5. SIDE SET

Side set breasts are fuller than East Wests but still fall outwards, and there's also a wide space between breasts.

The best bra for you is a plunge bra, which will pull the breasts up and in.

You may be particularly prone to your breasts spilling out of the side because of their position if the cup is too small. So you may need a cup size bigger than you normally go for if you find this happening. 

6. SLENDER

Breasts that are smaller at the top than they are at the bottom and are longer than they are wide are considered slender, especially if they're on the small side. 

A plunge bra will help to lift the breasts and you might want to consider padding for extra oomph. 

A bra with removable padding is ideal for the asymmetric shape, allowing you to add extra padding to one side if needs be
Teardrop breasts, which are rounded but slightly less full at the top, are suited to most styles of bra

Almost all women have one breast that is larger than the other to some degree (left). Teardrop breasts, which are rounded but slightly less full at the top (right)

7. BELL SHAPE

If your breasts are slimmer at the top and fuller at the bottom, then you're a Bell Shape. 

Because women with Bell shaped breasts tend to have fuller busts, you need a bra with plenty of support to lift the breasts.

8. ASYMMETRIC

Almost all women have one breast that is larger than the other to some degree, and even Jennifer Lawrence has spoken out about the perils of having lopsided boobs. 

If your asymmetry is significant enough to cause a problem, then a bra with removable padding is your friend as you can remove it on the side of your larger breast.

8. TEARDROP

If your breasts are rounded but slightly less full at the top then you're lucky enough to be teardrop shaped. 

These kind of breasts are easy to accommodate in any style of bra, making shopping a lot easier when all you have to worry about is size. 

You can probably get away with anything from a balconette to a plunge.

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