What makes an ‘ideal’ breast? Men and women get the secret off their chests

Well, this is uplifting.

A recent study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery — Global Open determined the characteristics of the “ideal” pair of breasts.

Researchers from New York University found moderately sized breasts with greater volume in the top half earned top scores compared to other breasts. Size and symmetry were not crucial factors, according to the survey.

The scientists gathered images of breasts of 25 women who sought aesthetic or reconstructive breast surgery between 2009 and 2019. The women were 47 years old on average.

A survey group of 1,021 participants (52% were women) were presented two-dimensional photographs and three-dimensional imaging of the breast samples and asked to assess overall “breast attractiveness.”

“In surveying a large and diverse population, moderately sized, projected breasts with upper pole fullness were found to be associated with increased ‘attractiveness’ scores,” the researchers wrote.

Upper pole fullness refers to the volume of the breasts above the nipples.

Five pairs of breasts were rated as the most attractive. Most of the breasts scored 2.5 out of 5, but the top five pairs had an average score of 3.1.

Researchers noted these breasts had more contour, upper pole fullness, and perk. The distance between the nipples was narrower, the breasts were positioned closer together, and the distance from the nipple to the fold under the breast was shorter.

The top two images based on attractiveness were not of symmetrical breasts. 

Researchers noted that the use of photographs may have hindered participants’ ability to “fully appreciate” certain aspects of breasts.

Also, the limited patient group does not fully represent the wide range of breast shapes and sizes.

The study comes as the plastic surgery craze has hit an all-time high, thanks to Gen Z, with breast lifts and augmentations being some of the most common requests.