Went to Bravissimo on Sunday to get fitted....

[Birdly]

... and thought they were great! The fitter was really helpful, and from my vague descriptions of what I wanted she somehow managed to find bras I loved. She was very thorough - even suggesting that I try on the different colours I wanted in the same style, just in case there were any tiny differences in fit. She also stressed that quite often you need different sizes in different makes/styles, and I did indeed come out with bras in two different sizes. She didn't rush me at all, and kept bringing different styles and sizes until we were both happy.
I thoroughly recommend them! So much better than my last long and unproductive session in John Lewis

[soyabean]

Hi I am thinking about going there one day soon. Have never been before but feel that I need a bit more, erm, structure, to stop me sagging horribly. there's just something not quite right with all my M and S bras but one... Can I ask how much te bras were, I know people say they are all sorts of prices but they must all be a lot more than M and S or La Senza I guess?

[tribpot]

It's well worth it, I thoroughly recommend Bravissimo. M&S have often proved to be rubbish at measuring.

Have a look at the website. I think the bras I bought were in the region of £25 a pop, which is a lot, I agree. However, give it a try and I pretty much guarantee you'll think it's worth spending the money!

[barbamama]

Funnily enough I finally got around to going the other day too and i thought they were very good as well - esp in comparison to the rubbish fittings I've had and mothercare and johnlewis.

[Lullabyloo]

yup....service & choice is much better than at Rigby & Peller too,despite their reputation

[bookthief]

They are pricier than M&S etc as they don't do any bog-standard 2 packs. I reckon it's just the price of having big boobs though and needing a bit more structure and support - comes with a price tag unfortunately.

The average price of a bra in there is around £26 iirc.

On the up side, wearing a decent bra makes all your clothes look better, fit better, makes your posture look better, you like what you see in the mirror better. What's not to like?

[Lullabyloo]

I have never ever had a properly fitting bra from M&S...their fittings are rubbish imo

[scampadoodle]

Gotta be cheaper than Rigby & Peller, which I went to last year [Fleeced emoticon]

[tribpot]

Question: once you've been decently measured by Bravissimo, can you find M&S bras that fit properly? Or is it all part of a global conspiracy to ensure we only ever buy from Bravissimo? (Which, btw, I'm sure should be called BravissimA under the circs).

[Lizzzombie]

I work at Bravissimo! Which one did you go to?
Our cheapest non sale bra is £22.
I love my job and nearly cried on Saturday when I sorted one woman out. She was like a different person when she left. It was lovely.

[Lizzzombie]

Tribpot - Bravissimo dont stock own brand bras. You can get their bras from other shops too. Hopefully in your fitting you were educated about how a bra should fit so you know what to look for when trying bras on. Its not just about size as sizes vary brand to brand, but you have to find the right style for your shape.
Unfortunately M&S only start backsizes in a 32" and this doesnt go up to all their cup sizes. They go up to a G cup in some of their styles though.

[Lizzzombie]

Am in danger of going off on one about this and have ironing to do! But its my favourite subject.
Not enough of us are wearing the proper sized bra.

[scampadoodle]

Oh I agree Lizzz. I was first properly fitted years ago, at R&P (I'm a 32DD & hardly anyone else stocked anything in my size then) & it made such a difference to how I looked.

[CarGirl]

M&S bras just do not fit me, I agree once properly fitted (can't remember where - a shop in Teddington about 10 years ago - could be bravissimo?) you are so much fussier about getting properly fitted ones.

I'm between a 30 and 32 C-D cup it's a nightmare, currently wear ultimo gel filled and feel like a new woman as stomach looks so much flatter and look like I actually have some boobs again.

[EffiePerine]

M&S bras are rubbish for the large of nork (I'm about a 32 F/G). Bravissimo are good at fitting, but the quality of the bras I got in Rigby and Peller was outstanding (I love the Prima Donna bras which not many high st shops sell)

[MrsWeasley]

Ok I dont think my bra has ever fitted properly I always try to get measured but am never happy with the bras I end up getting.

I am a large size is it worth me travelling the 30 miles to the nearest Bravissimo ?

[EffiePerine]

MrsW: ou can do mail order, get a range of sizes and send bakc the ones that don't fit

[CarGirl]

yes it is - treat yourself to a child free day out!

[Lizzzombie]

It was Busstop in Teddington. It closed a few years back. I still have a sports bra top which I brought there when I was about 16...god, about 15 years ago! Really should chuck it out. No way going to fit into it now!

[Lizzzombie]

Mrs W - its freepost to send back the ones which dont fit if you order online too.
(I am am ironing honestly!)

[CarGirl]

pre-children only balcony style bras fitted - yep in a 30 dd/e, now my boobs are ruined and lifeless it's a bit easier but ultimo gel have revoluntionised my figure - can't wear wonderbras as the are the wrong shape for me, and it is only one style of ultimo that fit too!

[brimfull]

freya retro this is one of my fav bras and really cheap on ebay!!

[soyabean]

Oh just had a look at the website and didn't realise they only do large cup sizes (I mean I knew that was their speciality but thought they did all sizes) I am approx 38C, will the shops not have anything for me? Does anyone have any recommendations about where I could go? I think I need something with very strong straps that will hoist me up to somewhere above my middle

[cktwo]

MrsWeasley, I always travel 30 miles to the Bravissimo shop. They are THAT good!

[brimfull]

soyabean have a look at their fitting guide as it pertains to all sizes and you can try decent bras on anywhere that stocks them.Decent brands to look out for are fantasie,freya,panache,ballet.

[MrsWeasley]

Thanks I think I'll arrange a days shopping then