Bras - custom made, please help

[Spuddybean]

Today i went for a bra fitting at M&S and was told by the 2 bemused/horrified ladies that i was unbra-able. No size fits me. I am a freak.

I have known this for years, but was hoping that they may have something for me.

So i think i may need to get some made to measure. Does anyone know of a good bra makers?

Now i'm pregnant too i am becoming very uncomfortable.

Cheers :)

[tipp2chicago]

Last time I got fitted in M&S they told me the same thing. Brown Thomas (dept store) told me I was a 34DD. Turns out that I am a 34GG in Fantasie & Freya - have had the same results in two separate independent lingerie stores.

Have you any idea of what they actually measured you at? (not necessarily always the best way but might give us a jumping-off point.)

[brighthair]

Have you measured yourself? Under boobs and over, then put it on here and some kind person will work it out!!

[MotherPanda]

M&s still do that silly calculation thingy don't they? And they use measuring tapes!

[lurkingaround]

I have never been fitted properly in m&s, or bought a proper bra. Tat, if you ask me, unless you're a regular (and pert!) 34B. in fact I find most fitters are pretty poor, even posh dept stores.

The answer: Get thee hence to Bravissimo. They are outstanding fitters and will not sell you smthng that isn't perfect. They are fab and I would be very surprised if they can't fit you. I sound overboard but they are fantastic.

I don't live in the UK, but when I'm there I make it a must, a Bravissimo visit. Protesting DCs and DH and all.

Bravissimo!

[pootlebug]

M&S are crap. Actually probably better that they told you nothing would fit than sent you away in something ill-fitting and totally the wrong size.

The best place I've been for fitting is Rigby & Peller. Bravissimo are reasonable too.

[piratecat]

don't go there again op. i am an ex Rigby and Peller employee, and you ARE NOT a freak.

i bloody hate M&S. there are so many bras out there now, compared to even say 10 yrs ago, when people flocked to Rigby and Peller becuase only they seemed to do a variety of ranges--ie back compared to cup size.

I hear great things about bravissimo. To advise you on makes, what do you measure under bust. What size have you been wearing?

getting something 'custom made at R& P is about £250!!!

they mainly do Brands, including their own. It is very very rare that they would ever make you a bra, esp seeing as your pg and will grow out of it swiftly. Anyway, they have branded bras drawers full of them instock, and also have on the premises alterations available.

[piratecat]

i wear, Fantasie bras btw. which is a much stocked make by Rigby.

[Spuddybean]

HAHA thanks to all of you kind ladies, but sadly you have gone to the wrong end of the spectrum. Larger ladies are catered for er amply, but sadly i am not large.

My problem is i have a huge back, a 40 (and growing now i am putting on preggo weight). And i have a tiny cup, aa really, most normal a's are baggy. As i am broad my breasts are quite far apart, so all the cups in every bra i have ever tried are too close together, digging in the side of my boobs and having what little i have bulging over the arm pit area, then a baggy cup further inwards.

Any padded just stick out ridiculously and my breast don't even touch the inside of the 'cone' shape. Now my nipples are sore i really need them supported. :(

I left m&s crying and quite frankly feeling like a man. i have often pondered implants, i am not vain but i just want a remotely female figure.

[Spuddybean]

up to now i have been wearing a 38a from marks - the only place i have found them. But tbh they are too small and now my back is broadening the elastic is really cutting in. But sadly my boobs aren't getting any bigger in proportion :(

i feel just so ugly and unfeminine. All DP wants to do is buy me some agent provoceteur/myla undies but i'm too manly and i have had some awful reactions in shops. The lady in la senza laughed out loud and the one in John Lewis stared at me in horror and said she 'didn't believe it' before telling me there was nothing for me.

Sorry to moan but i am feeling sad and angry about it.

[MotherPanda]

Spuddybean - I would really write a letter of complaint to m&s - they shouldn't have made you feel that way.

I don't mean to be offensive - but have you tried looking in Bonmarche? I used to work there, and remember selling bras in 40B/42B - they may have smaller cups but I just can't remember.

Also, I just googled 40AA Bras and this came up as first hit, I'm sure there are more. www.bettyandbelle.co.uk/40aa-197-c.asp

[HotBurrito1]

This is non-wired and looks quite pretty.

[MotherPanda]

Oh that's a lovely bra hotburrito - so far I can only find neutral ones.

[Spuddybean]

Thanks motherpanda but i m&s had the 40 as and aa's but the cups were still too close together. It's as if the don't think you would be in proportion and your boobs are still as close as someone with 34 back. but obviously they spread to fill your chest. If i hold an aa/a cup just over one breast it fills it nicely, but then when i drag the other cup to the other side everything skews.

[Spuddybean]

thanks, i just need to order some and go through trial and error i suppose. i just feel so down about it. DP laughed when i cried in John Lewis but he didn't understand how hurtful it is to feel so odd compared to others. It's like something ridiculing his masculinity. i just feel like a crap woman.

[Grumpla]

Ah bugger it's crap having "weird" sized boobs whatever end of the spectrum you're at.

Have you tried using a bra expander with an existing bra? If your cup size hasn't gone up massively then one of those might help. They're like an extra chunk of waistband which hook-and-eye into the existing catch. So if you (for example) could find a 38 more easily than a 40 that might do the trick?

Otherwise, have you thought about asking a dressmaker to alter bras? If you know someone handy with a sewing machine they could cut the cups apart and add an extra band of fabric between them?

Or a front fastening bra with a expander between the cups? Neither of those would necessarily look amazing but having something custom made would make more sense after the baby when your boob size has stabilised out (and you might also need a wee treat!)

I also think you should tear those appalling fitters a new arsehole each. Complain in writing. How dare they make you feel bad about yourself because your body is outside their narrow parameters? Fuck them.

[MotherPanda]

I see - so something like tie at the front bikini styles would be perfect? as you can then shift the cups to where you need them?

hmmm..... (totters off to google)

[Spuddybean]

grumpla The extenders in the back don't work on the cups, but i might give trying some elastic in the front a go. The problem is the bras i wear normally don't fit either (not just now but not ever). I am always uncomfortable.

mother i love my bikinis! i wear the triangle ones on a string which you can move further apart if you want. DP loves me in them, it's the only time i look in proportion - boobs not hoiked up into the centre of my chest.

Thanks guys. i think i will complain. i was just so embarrassed i couldn't wait to get out of m&s tbh.

[MotherPanda]

spuddybean - is it preposterous to consider wearing bikinis instead of bras? If you feel comfortable and attractive in them - and they do provide support...

would it help if I came along and scribbled out 'bikini' on the tag and put 'Bra' on instead?

[Spuddybean]

well i have thought about it and do in the summer occasionally (under a pretty dress). But the string ties are awkward under clothes and they don't really offer enough support, as the back string is so flimsy and narrow and the halter style doesn't hold them properly.

[MotherPanda]

ah ok - another thought, which another poster touched upon, is front fastening bras using an extender at the front - this would give you more space between the cups,

I haven't found many pretty front fastening bras though.

[Spuddybean]

i think i literally just need a centimetre or so at the front so i think an extender would be too wide and would rub. I might buy a cheap one and sew some elastic in the front tho. hhmmmmm i'll have a think.

The thing is i'm quite a big person so being so flat chested really stands out, i have broad shoulders, ample round hips etc. So i need a bit of padding to oomph me up a bit!

[MotherPanda]

Is this your first pregnancy? How far gone are you? You might find your body gives you a bit of oomph the further on you go!

[QueenCadbury]

I've just looked at figleaves and they have 40a bras. A lot of them are mastectomy bras but there are some normal ones too. It might be worth trying as they are easy to order and send back...

[Spuddybean]

mother i'm 8 weeks and i seem to be expanding everywhere but my tits - it's just like being a teenager again!

queen thanks - i have ordered off figleaves before, i think it is just trial and error. i don't think i'll ever get anything which fits right tho.

i think once the babies are all here, in a few years, i will getting some made.

[frankie76]

Have you tried jd Williams website as they specially cater different sizes you can't get on the high street