Truly single-sex bra fittings for DD13

Does anyone even do bra fittings’ now???? Just measure yourself, buy a couple of sizes around that measurement from Tesco/ Sainsbury/Primark and take back the wrong size.

Does anyone even do bra fittings’ now???? Just measure yourself, buy a couple of sizes around that measurement from Tesco/ Sainsbury/Primark and take back the wrong size.

I've booked an M&S fitting for next week - I've booked the first fitting of the day, in the hope the store is quieter, and in the "special requests" box, I've put that we would like a single sex space. I'm sure it will go without a hitch, but I'll update once we've been.

I knew all your points on fit which are just common sense and known to anyone who has worn a bra for a couple of years.

I don’t believe the statistic. What makes a bra ‘the wrong’ size?

However - not the point of the thread.

DD has asked for a bra fitting (I asked her if she'd like to and she said yes, over the summer holidays)

That is a leading question - it did not even arise for my DDs and all their friends. It is like saying "Would you like to go and show your developing breasts to a stranger?" - and at such a sensitive stage in her life. She is being led by you.

Go and get her some bras and do this in a gentle way. You clearly feel you have a point to make to her about overcoming embarrassment but you should find some other way of doing this. THis is not the issue to use. It is simply too sensitive.

And your worry about having a trans male doing the fitting isd frankly OTT.

And for others too lazy or dim to understand the earlier posts ..... this shows very much your forceful nature and the inability to listen to other views and hold a debate. Maybe your DD has other views too that need to be listened to?

I think it's fascinating how many people have assumed I'm terrified of transwomen in the vicinity.

I just want a clearly-signposted "Women's" changing room - marked thusly. The chances of a transwoman being there are tiny. It is far, far more likely in a unisex changing room in a small town that her male maths teacher (or any other man) might be in the cubicle next door. I would like to eliminate that risk.

I was so surprised when we went to Primark on Oxford Street a couple of months ago, that their changing rooms were unisex. I even asked for women's changing rooms and were told there weren't any.

"Common" in the context of "common sense" and "common knowledge" means "something that most people have". When 70% of women are in the wrong size of bra, then correctly fitting a bra is clearly not a matter of common sense.

Here is a list of things that aren't intuitively obvious and that a decent fitter will have been trained in:

• The bra should fit when fastened on its loosest hooks when you first buy it. The hooks are to take up slack as the band's elastic wears out.
• The wires should lie flat on the ribcage. They should not be on the breast tissue and there should not be a gap between the wires and the sternum.
• If one breast is larger than the other, fit to the larger breast, using a chicken fillet on the smaller one if needed.
• If you are slackening the shoulder straps to prevent spilling, you need a bigger cup size.
• If the band curves up at the back, you need a smaller band size.
• To put the bra on, bend forwards at the waist first and then lift and scoop your breasts upwards after you've fastened the hooks.
• The "size" is only applicable to that style. You may take a different "size" in different styles, even from the same manufacturer.
• Your breasts won't fit properly into every style available. I cannot wear balconettes, they just either spill or are gappy at the top.

And a point that even some fitters (Bravissimo, I am looking at you) get wrong:

• If the wire is in your armpits and your breasts are pointing out slightly sideways instead of straight forwards, try a bigger band size. Bravissimo fitters insist on putting me in bands so tight that the wires get pulled back into my armpits.

As you claim it to not be political then I am sorry to say that shops were never single sex spaces in understanding of EqA 2010, it's exactly as it always was.

Just tons of people now shouting and demanding expecting armed genital inspecting guards at the entrance to every space they deem "single sex" without reading what does that mean in EqA 2010.

Life goes on, as this is not political as you say, just book the appointment.

I promise I'm not being horrible but am genuinely chortling at the idea of throwing an Ann Summers party for my 13 year-old. Do they still make you test vibrators on your nose? Not entirely sure that's the vibe I'm hoping for. (I am being facetious and in case my tone comes across bitchy, it's just a really amusing image. Also looking forward to suggesting to all of DD's friends' parents that they send their girls round to our house for an Ann Summers Party. DD would never speak to me again!)

😂

H&M is a good shout for smaller sizes and we do have one locally, but I really would like to walk her through how a proper fitting works.

Forgot the receipt.

"Common" in the context of "common sense" and "common knowledge" means "something that most people have". When 70% of women are in the wrong size of bra, then correctly fitting a bra is clearly not a matter of common sense.

Here is a list of things that aren't intuitively obvious and that a decent fitter will have been trained in:

• The bra should fit when fastened on its loosest hooks when you first buy it. The hooks are to take up slack as the band's elastic wears out.
• The wires should lie flat on the ribcage. They should not be on the breast tissue and there should not be a gap between the wires and the sternum.
• If one breast is larger than the other, fit to the larger breast, using a chicken fillet on the smaller one if needed.
• If you are slackening the shoulder straps to prevent spilling, you need a bigger cup size.
• If the band curves up at the back, you need a smaller band size.
• To put the bra on, bend forwards at the waist first and then lift and scoop your breasts upwards after you've fastened the hooks.
• The "size" is only applicable to that style. You may take a different "size" in different styles, even from the same manufacturer.
• Your breasts won't fit properly into every style available. I cannot wear balconettes, they just either spill or are gappy at the top.

And a point that even some fitters (Bravissimo, I am looking at you) get wrong:

• If the wire is in your armpits and your breasts are pointing out slightly sideways instead of straight forwards, try a bigger band size. Bravissimo fitters insist on putting me in bands so tight that the wires get pulled back into my armpits.