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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CU Boulder chapter.

The average breast size in the U.S is a 34DD, but I can promise you that they can get much bigger and stay much smaller. Many people idolize having large breasts, but the reality doesn’t quite measure up to the expectation. It’s almost like there’s a goldi-lock theory for bra size. Too small and you’ll receive ridicule growing up. Too big and you’ll be constantly sexualized. Just right? Well, I don’t think that truly exists. But, I’m not going to go into the “everyone’s beautiful just the way they are” rant because bra size truly isn’t about that. It’s a matter of lifestyle. As a woman, your breasts determine how some crucial parts of life will go for you. 

Personally, I can only speak for us big boobie baddies, but I wanna preface that it doesn’t mean that the itty-bitty-titty committee doesn’t have similar problems. Watching my friends go through bullying and mockery while growing up was hard to watch, especially when it was for something they can’t control. Nowadays, I envy flat chested babes, but the grass is always greener on the other side, right?

Boob sizes go in and out of style like your on and off situationship. I believe we’re just getting out of the Kardashian-fueled curve frenzy and into fantasizing about the Bella Hadid body. But, boobs aren’t jeans; breasts are body parts. So, why does the beauty expectation for bra size change so frequently? Our boobs have become like accessories, and not even plastic surgery could keep up with constant changes.

Being surrounded by small tits my whole life has definitely been the bane of my existence. Forgot a bathing suit? Can’t borrow one. Want to wear that cute going out top? You’re risking a major nip slip, that is, if you can even get it over those chest mountains. I love my A and B cup besties, but it sucked to be excluded from sharing clothes and having to always worry about packing a bag for the sleepover. 

On the clothes topic, shopping for bras, baby tees, and bikinis might just be harder than picking out new jeans. Most of the time, I have to order sizes online. The only two bras I own are currently hanging on by a thread (literally). And when I was younger, it was straight to the adult section every summer. Don’t even get me started on finding matching bottoms. I always had to get two sizes. So, if it came in a set, I could just forget about it.

Being sexualized is an unfortunately normal experience as a woman, but having an unusual breast size only fueled the fire. The comments from dads, strangers, doctors, and everyone in between has completely shaped me as the person I am today. Catcalling and sexual comments have been the reality of me and nearly every other woman has survived.

going braless
HCM Design

As a big breasted girlie, I’ve definitely gone through a journey of self-acceptance. It’s easy to complain about your nipples and cup size and compare yourself to everyone else. It’s almost comforting to complain. But, what really is comforting is the realization that almost nobody loves their boobs. Yeah, maybe your friend is perfectly okay with how their titties look in that corset top, but behind closed doors, everyone is worried about their appearance. At the end of the day, your boobs are as unique as fingerprints, and we should cherish that. I’m not telling you to get over your self-consciousness, because gaining boobie confidence is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But, just understanding and accepting that our bodies are all imperfect is a great start. And, I guarantee you’ve already come further than you think. Think of your middle school self, peering at the bodies of your peers in the locker room wondering why you don’t look like her. We’ll always have a little part of our 7th grade selves in us, but so does everyone else. The struggles of boobs, nips, and bra sizes is and will always be genuine, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work a little harder to accept ourselves.

Kate Paxton

CU Boulder '26

Kate Paxton is a The Director of Outreach and contributing member of Her Campus Colorado University Boulder. She writes articles covering a variety of topics like wellness, college life, pets, recipes, and film reviews. Kate can usually be found writing in the warmth of many blankets and a cup of tea. She is currently a junior at CU Boulder, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Business and a certificate in Public Health. She hopes that her journalistic skills will help in her professional career. Kate expects to graduate in June 2026 and continue on to graduate school to further her education. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, talking to her pet Betta fish, binge watching sitcoms, and therapeutically cleaning her room.