WIBU to stage a bra intervention in the changing room at M&S? (lighthearted!)

[Feefifofam]

DM was trying things on and in the next door cubicle a woman was having a bra fitting.

Bra fitter tells her (loud enough to hear without me earwigging) she'll go and get her some 36Ds to try on. Also couldn't help but hear she was telling her to put it on the tightest hook, which is also completely wrong for a new bra.

I'd seen her go into the cubicle and she was very slim and probably no more than a 30 round her back.

I ummed and ahhed about saying something when she left the cubicle. Both DM and I used to wear completely the wrong size bra until I found out how to measure properly. DM went from a 38D to a 32C and I went from a 38B to 34D and the difference is amazing.

So when bra lady left the cubicle, she gave me a smile so I jumped in.

Felt slightly embarrassed as I gushed about measuring yourself properly, how the M&S method is wrong etc and she was really interested and didn't look at me like I was odd

I pointed out to her that I wear a 34D and I'm a size 16 and relatively small chested so no way was she a 36D. Really hope she gets a decent bra. She said she was off to get a tape measure

I did do it out of earshot of the bra fitter!

[Sighing]

You jumped in the cubicle?!

[Feefifofam]

Ha! No, I spoke to her as she walked out.

[ZoeTurtle]

You should put it on the tightest hook as it will stretch. So if you try it on with the loosest hook, it will soon be too loose.

[Feefifofam]

I meant "jumped in" to speak to her after she smiled at me, not literally jumped into the cubicle.

Sorry I can see that was confusing.

[Feefifofam]

A bra should fit properly on the loosest hook when you buy it (ie, you can't fit your fingers under the band).

Then you can tighten it as the band stretches through wear. The bra ladies have taught me well

[Whenwillwe3meetagain]

Surely as it loosens you move it to a tighter hook?

[whatdoIget]

But if you put it on the loosest hook and it becomes too loose, you can then tighten it...

[Mrswinkler]

But if you put it onto the tightest hook and it stretches where do you go from there? There aren't any tighter hooks! You use the tighter hooks only after the bra had worn in and goes slacker....

[whatdoIget]

X post with 2 pps

[Feefifofam]

I'm glad I didn't chicken out now. She was really lovely and interested in what I was saying.

I'm sure DM was cringing in the cubicle

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

I can see you mean well, but this doesn't seem to work for me. I'm a size 14. If I try a 34 or 32 band, it physically hurts and I can't breathe!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

PPs are correct, you buy on the loosest hook so you can tighten as it stretches with wear. Exception being when pregnant, when you're likely to expand faster than the bra!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

InSpace, it's not a direct relationship with dress size - you can be a size 14 and a 36 for example, but it's darned unlikely to be a size 10 and a 36 or 38. And M&S add inches automatically. Not adding inches is right on average - some people actually need to deduct inches, some still need to add a couple for various reasons. But the start point should be your measurement if that makes sense.

[AwakeCantSleep]

Well done! Please come to M&S in my city; there is work to be done here. M&S fitter said I was a 34B. I bought some bras. After a while I could take them off without unfastening According to proper method I'm a 30DD. Got new bras (John Lewis and Debenhams). They make a huge difference.

[dementedpixie]

I'm a size 20/22 and wear a 36 back bra.

[AwakeCantSleep]

Oh and I'm a size 10 for tops. Small chested.

[Feefifofam]

If it's too tight to breathe, you're probably in the wrong cup size as well InSpace A bra shouldn't hurt like that.

Check this brilliant blog out - it tells you how to measure yourself properly.

A new sized bra can take some getting used to but a bra should offer support, it shouldn't be loose on the band at all.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

Mmm, thanks. I must just be a fat bird wit my 36 then

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

I've tried smalle bands with huge cups. Nope. Can't breathe.

[GoneAndDone]

InSpace you need to go up in the cup size too, the right band in too small a cup will feel too tight.

And OP definitely YANBU, I wish I could do it every time I see someone wearing a totally wrong size.

[Jibberjabberjooo]

I buy from Bravissimo and was told to put bras on the loosest hook comfortable.

Thought they were bloody amazing compared to M&S.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

I think tighter bands definitely fit better if the cup size is right but they seem so uncomfortable! I can't seem to get used to the vice like grip

[Smurfingreat]

I have been so tempted to do this in M&S. I used to be a bra fitter and hearing the rubbish their fitters spout is painful. I actually feel really sorry for the fitters as they get about half a day training, whereas I had 3 months, they can't have the faintest clue what they are doing. This is still no excuse for making customers cry by telling them they are a "funny shape", (perfect 30G, 17 year old). M&S and the other culprits need to improve their training in bra fitting, customer service and empathy!

[marriednotdead]

It may sound odd but I think the issue for you Inspace may be that the wire shape is wrong.
I often find that people who find bras rib crushing, need a wire that is more open like a wide smile rather than a sharp U shape.

[MumCodes]

I thought it was just me who found the M&S bra fitters terrible! I thought maybe I had wonky boobs.