bravissimo - any good?

[Whenisitmysleepytime]

i went for a post baby bra fitting today in john lewis and i'm a 28e.
i got a john lewis own brand nude bra and a panache strapless one. that was all they had in a 28e apart from freya bras which were all totally the wrong shape.

it seems to be a bit of an odd size. m&s don't do it, neither do la senza, figleaves have bit of a rubbish looking selection online.

bravissimo do a 28e but i know nothing about them other than they are bras for larger ladies.
do their bras work on a smaller frame?

anywhere else i can look?

TIA! :)

[Whitershadeofpale]

I love them. I'm a 34J and find their bras pretty and supportive. I've put on a bit of weight in recent years but used to be a 30 back and found them very good. Many places that stock larger bras only start at a 36 back which is a real PITA.

[Poodlehorse]

Bravissimo are great for me 32g. I also think they approach measuring differently and only ever get done there. Their bras are not really their own but the usual brands like Freya etc. They also do tops with built in proper bras which I like for summer or they are now doing (well Pepperberry their clothing brand) tops that work with special bras that you can clip into the top so you don't show straps etc. The girls in store know their stuff and also if you phone them up for mail-order and are able to advice if a certain bra comes up small etc. I think they are fab.

[DooinMeCleanin]

My sister hgas a v small back measurement and large cup size, she will only shop at Bravissimo and makes a special shopping trip twice a year to be measured there after suffering back pain all her adult life, up until she found Bravissimo and was measured properly.

I love their swimwear.

[moragbellingham]

I started as a 30E and they all fitted well - although I've stuck to Freya since my fitting I've sized up to the 32 for comfort.

Lepel do nice small back bras as does Elle McPherson but not 28's. I have found - and also been told by bra-fitters that Elle McP comes up small so you may find a 30 would work anyway when you try it on.

I have bought Bravissimo bras in the past and would definitely buy them again. The colours and fit are just as good as the Panache/Freyas etc.

[JiminyCricket]

yes they are good 32ff here, always get bras from them

[NanAstley]

32F after 3 pregnancies. Used to be 28DD before children.

I discovered Bravissimo 6 years ago, and I have only shopped with them ever since. Their fitting service is very good. I go every six months to get my size checked and if I haven't changed size and the bras are still in a good condition, the sales assistants say so rather than making you buy a bra for the sake of it.

Give it a try. You won't go anywhere else again

[TadlowDogIncident]

Another vote here for Bravissimo. The clothes aren't great (they have a thing for polyester), but the bras are fantastic: I wouldn't go anywhere else.

[freshprincess]

32G here. Bras are fantastic, get an in store fitting if you can. Vest tops with fitted bras are good too. The clothes are a bit hit and miss.

[rookiemater]

Definitely go in store, like everywhere else there sizes vary between bras, I ended up with a 32G recently and am normally 34DD but they have a great range for larger boosomed ladies, plus they have all the main brands

[cruelladepoppins]

YY, 30FF here, they do a good job of fitting you.

[Cheeseandbiscuits]

Bravissimo are pretty good. I also like rigby and pelier...do great fittings. I'm a 34G and they have some pretty bras. They can be pricey..but I just ask them to get me the cheaper ones!

[moragbellingham]

Washing machines wreck your bras...mine go in when they've lost their brand newness, can't bear to ruin them feel...sod it I haven't got time to handwash!

[Katybabes]

I think they're great for bras but the clothes aren't best quality, I wish they'd charge more and use better fabric

[Whenisitmysleepytime]

Sounds pretty positive! :)
I don't have one local to me tho so would need to be an online job.

Do they not survive washing machines? Can not be arsed to handwash!

[tyler80]

I stick to the panache ones in Bravissimo, I find like you that Freya are the totally wrong shape for me.

Have a look at the sale stuff online, 28e seems to be one of the last sizes they have of everything so you might be able to get some bargains

[smokinaces]

I am a 34G so larger backed, but I love the Gorgeous Range in Debenhams - and looks like they have some in a 28E?

Debenhams

They wash very well - I always chuck mine in the machine

[NanAstley]

I thought any underwire bra (not just Bravissimo stock) was not supposed to be washed in the machine? The rotation makes the underwire get bent out of shape and it then sticks out and, as BluddyMoFo says, stabs you. If the underwire is exposed, it canalso wreck your washing machine (tired voice of experience speaking)

I handwash all my bras in one big pile every Sunday. And once a month, I put them all in a pillow case and wash them in a gentle cycle in the machine just to give them that nice fresh detergent-y smell.

[cruelladepoppins]

I only handwash handknits these days. Bras go inside a knotted pillowcase (one bra per pillowcase) and get washed in the machine on a gentle wash. Haven't knackered any yet ...!

[Whenisitmysleepytime]

well i've just ordered £150 worth of bras and pants!

i'm not planning on keeping it all though! dh would have a melt down!

[rimmer08]

30ff and would not buy bras from anywhere else

[Onemorning]

32HH, another Bravissimo fan here.

[Truffleshuffler]

Yes, I'll only buy bras from Bravissimo, in particular this one. I also got a good swimming costume with a built in bra.

[SarahLundsredJumper]

Thanks for posting this.
I have just returned from a fitting at Bravissimo and dicovered that I am not a 36C but a 32FF
I look half a stone lighter(the Bravissimo diet!) and the fitter thinks my neck and shoulder problems are probably all due to ill fitting bras.

[PinotsEvilTwin]

The Debenhams Gorgeous range is ver good.