Bra fittings

Thank you, really appreciate the info. Right, best get re measured. Hopefully I can return the bras I've brought :-/

I echo what Flora said - that doesn't sound right at all. I was fitted at Bravissimo a couple of months ago and the lady that did it was brilliant, she really knew her stuff, I would totally recommend going there. I'm sure you can take back the ones you've bought, just make sure you get them back within the right number of days!

Another one for Bravissimo.

I thought M&S were really good. But haven't had one for a while now so that may have changed.

As the others have said it's cos the bra doesn't fit. Really cheeky of her to tell you it would drop!

The more I think about it the more I'm angry. Mostly with myself for being such a soft turd and not telling her it didn't feel right. I'm a C cup, will. Bravissimo still do a measure if I'm not big enough for their bras?

Definitely Bravissimo or M&S for me. I love the look of Boux Avenue bras but when I was fitted there they told me I was 3 sizes bigger than I am anywhere else (and so restricting the bras I could buy to about 2!). I think they're made really small but needless to say I didn't bother buying anything off them.

M&S do a wide selection of sizes so you won't be turned away there.

I don't know if it's just me, but I really didn't rate M&S's fitting service. They were way off with mine. This was a few years ago though so they've probably improved.

Hi,

I also recommend Bravissimo and M&S
Even if your in a C cup it might still be worth visiting Bravissimo for a fitting, just in case!

I agree with this - M&S had me wearing a 36E when I should have been in a 34G. I think quite a lot of non-specialist shops (M&S, John Lewis, Debenhams etc) over-measure the back size. Icklesal, you'll probably find that if your back size goes down, your cup size will go up one or two sizes, so you should find something suitable in Bravissimo.

Thank you all so much for info. I'm gonna head to chester this weekend and return the wrong size ones, hopefully I can arrange an appointment with bravissimo or even m&s.

its been so long since I've brought new underwear, well bras anyway. Who knew what a ballache it is!

M&S or John Lewis. I was measured in both earlier on in the year. Marks measure to their own bras as that's all they sell. John Lewis however told me what I would be in each brand of bra they sell as some are smaller/bigger than others so that was helpful. I ended up buying Freya bras from there as they are pretty and comfy!

Another vote for Bravissimo. Also a company called 'Blush Intimates' they do mobile fittings and are really friendly without doing the hard sell.

I had a fitting with Ann Summers a few years back, they put me in a 38D, I wore it for one day and was in agony, the wire was digging into my boob horribly. I went to Bravissimo and was 'upgraded' to a 34FF. So much better!

Confession time.....

I have never had my boobs measured.

Im a 34B as its a generic size. This is the increase from the 32A that I have worn since I was I was 16.

Im not sure im even a 34B tbh- it just felt like the next size up.

Ive only got tiny bangers- does it matter what size bra im in?!

I thought i was a 34B for yonks. I had got measured when I was about 18, and that was it for me. I've had minor weight fluctuations, so have occasionally bought a bigger back for when i'm having a fat day, but assumed my cup size remained fairly consistent - I didn't have 'double boob' and compared with other women considered myself to be reasonably small chested, however by the end of the day i was always uncomfortable and occasionally got back-ache.

I went to be measured pre wedding and was told that I was a 12D or DD depending on the brand (NZ sell the back size by dress size rather than in inches). I was quite surprised, but bought a couple the woman recommended and noticed an immediate change in my sillhouette - I looked heaps slimmer all of a sudden, and no more back aches. I'd say it's worth doing every now and then, even if you don't think you have a problem.

I've always worn an A and more recently a B. I was so shocked that she put me in a C! Obviously the measure wasn't right haha. I don't have the issue of heavy boobs or boobs that jiggle all over but I still want the right size bra. I would like to have a slight idea when I go into a shop, right now I have no clue.

i assumed it was important no matter what size jubblies you have. I suppose it's less important as you don't need the support when they are smaller.

I was fitted in Debenhams and they were spot on. Tbh, I don't think anyone really needs "specialist" fitting, people just need to be educated on how a bra should fit.

The band should fit securely around your body on the loosest setting (this is so you can tighten it as the bra naturally stretches) and should be horizontal all the way around your body (not riding up at the back). You shouldn't be able to fit more than the width of two fingers between the waistband and your body. Your boobs should fit comfortably in the cups - if you have boob overspill or you feel like your nipples are escaping the cups are too small. If the cup is gaping then it's too big.

Defiantly take the unworn ones back! I usually go to M&S but the last few times I've tried they have been fully booked. Really need to get it done post baby, might try John Lewis!

A bit late to this thread, but can't stress enough; go to Bravissmo. I'm teeny, but recently read about not adding 5" to your under bra measurements, so measured myself and decided to give Bravissmo a go. I went from wearing a 32a to a 28dd! Bra feels so good on as it actually fits and my boobs look bigger somehow. Chucked all my old ones out as can't bear to wear them now as I can tell they are waaaay too big in the back.

ETA; you can even email them and they will email you back a bunch of questions about the bras you already wear and advise you based on that, and they were right!

I'm all sorted now, thanks everyone. Happy boobies right here!!

Hmm, really think I need to go and get measured. I have definite boob spillage and nip slips in my current bras...

Are Bravissimo expensive? Do you need to prebook to get measured? I would google it but my work mac bans anything to do with boobies..

I was the same up until march time when I got measured for the first time as I was buying undies for my boudoir shoot and wanted them to fit properly. I used to wear a 34A or 32B and got measured as a 32C and the bra fit perfectly and made them look and feel bigger. I was pretty chuffed. You should do it.

Very late to this but I was surprised by the comments!! I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter where you get measured but it does matter who does the measuring!! I had been measured in m&s as a 38d but was always uncomfortable so, under advice I went to boux avenue and was told I was a 40ff. But - she never measured me, just looked at me in my undies and we went from there!!!

i would guess that my boux lady is more experienced as she was spot on and I've been way more comfortable ever since. Also, I've been buying 40ff bras in all sorts of places ever since - from sainsburys to debenhams and m&s and not one has felt too big or too small.

I suppose I just got lucky!!

Just as I can buy a size 10 dress from one place, and need a size 14 from another, so I would expect to have varying sizes for my bras depending on who makes them and what style they are. So, it is very rare that I just pick one up without trying before I buy.

When I was first separated from twunty-ex, I had a "cleansing" ritual, which included throwing out all my bedding and all my underwear (except one sports bra), and starting afresh. As this coincided with me not eating, my weight dropped dramatically, and my boobs shrunk a fair bit. Not that they were ever big to begin with! So I really had no idea what I needed in terms of size, and I also had a desire to have something nice, but couldn't afford anything expensive.

So I went to my local Debenhams, asked the lady there if I could be fitted for a couple of new bras, and she told me to go into the changing room and keep my existing bra on, and she would be right there with her tape measure. At that point I burst into tears and said "but I don't have a bra any more"!! I managed to splutter out why, and she was ACE! She took me into the changing room, dried my tears, brought me inexpensive, but practical as well as pretty sets of underwear, and took as long as it needed. In fact, at one point, she sent me off to get my hair cut, and told me to come back afterwards, and we would carry on where we left off. She wouldn't let me spend lots of money because she said my weight was likely to fluctuate while I settled myself into my new life and would probably need a whole different size in a few weeks time.

It was the beginning of a new love for matching undies - since then, I have spent a fortune on the stuff. And it is all down to the fact that this particular lady gave me time, and the benefit of her real knowledge and experience. I was lucky.

But I still don't buy without trying, and am never afraid now to be measured and to ask questions about styles and sizing.

Thanks Flora, I went to the Nottingham branch today and Ive gone from a 34Dd to a 32G!!!! it feels amazingly comfortable and im wishing I had my norks measured years ago..

It was a black an pink one, really pretty, in the Freya range, was £38 too but was soooo comfortable. I also ended up popping into debenhams and picked up a couple of plain t-shirt bras and a pretty coral one for £6 in the sale and they fit really well too, amazing how much a well fitting bra can make you feel!!