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Where can I go for a bra fitting?

35 replies

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 10:55

In the last few years I've only been to one good bra fitting, where the staff knew all the styles properly, they had lots of stuff in my size, and I was treated like a normal customer rather than a weirdo outlier. That was at the Leia Lingerie shop in Bluewater, which has now closed down. I live in London and I'm seriously wondering if it's worth a day trip to York to visit their other shop, unless anyone can recommend me a shop in London (or somewhere else I can get to by train/bus) where they genuinely have lots of bras in a size 32H and 32HH.

I'm actually larger on one side, so I'm looking for bras with a wider underwire shape so it sits further behind my breasts, otherwise it always digs in on the larger side.

This is my experience of the past few weeks:

Two branches of Rigby & Peller, both pointless as they only sell bras with narrow u-shaped underwires. They suggested going up a size but then the cups were too big.

Debenhams, John Lewis and Selfridges - only had a couple of generic things in my size. More to the point, the fitters don't really know the styles and they just go desperately searching around the shop for the first thing they can find in my size, and they don't have a clue about the underwires. Telling someone what size they need is very different from knowing the features of the individual styles. And they only really go up to H anyway, so no HH.

And before anyone says it, I can't stand Br-viss-mo. I really cannot bear the place and the MN obsession with them gives me the creeps. I've been there several times in the past and they're so dogmatic, and they've also told me several times that they don't stock certain things in my size because of a lack of demand, even though this goes against why the shop was set up in the first place. I would rather go anywhere else. So please, just don't.

So if anyone can recommend a normal shop that has at least five good bras for me to try on, that would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
HandsOffMyRights · 24/11/2019 10:57

I'd give M&S a wide birth now that men can share our changing spaces.

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 10:59

M&S don't have any bras in my size, and they're not recommended for fitting anyway. But I'm interested in finding a bra shop, not in having a political discussion, thanks.

OP posts:
ClientListQueen · 24/11/2019 11:15

Not in the area but elomi have wider wires, also curvy kate

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 11:19

Okay but I'd need to find an Elomi stockists so I can try them on. I've tried buying countless bras online and had to send them all back. I kept one Elomi bra that I've worn twice, and ended up with a neck ache as it didn't have anywhere near as much support as I thought. Also it stretched really quickly and I was on the tightest hooks by the end of the day, even though it was definitely the right size at first.

OP posts:
ClientListQueen · 24/11/2019 11:43

Had a quick look on google
One called the fitting studio has v good reviews so that could be worth a try if it's fairly close to you

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 12:04

I'd prefer to have a recommendation from someone of my size who's actually been there in person. A couple of years ago I visited several independent shops who all claimed online to have lots of stuff in my size, but I was disappointed when I went there in person. A lot of these shops haven't updated their websites for ages.

OP posts:
Mumof1andacat · 24/11/2019 12:43

Try measuring yourself using the boob or bust method then order your bras online and try them on at home. They size suggested for me I knew would be too tight so I order bras in the sister size with a bigger band and 1 size smaller cup and I finally have bras that fit. Great community on facebook with lots of advice too.

Mumof1andacat · 24/11/2019 12:44

I know it's too far but if u don't fancy online there is a great underwear shop in Hampshire called hidden agenda

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 12:48

@Mumof1andacat I already know what size I need. That's not what the problem is.

OP posts:
PurpleFrames · 24/11/2019 13:07

I had it down a few weeks ago now in Debenhams- was a great experience. Women only, no rush, no pressure selling. Significant change in size!!

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 13:42

I've already been to Debenhams and they had nothing for me. They just didn't know anything about the underwire shapes or what bra I might find comfortable - just brought me the few bras they had out of desperation. I can't even try the Debenhams own brand as the H cups start at 34 and I'm a 32. Absolutely useless.

OP posts:
tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 13:47

Could I just reiterate that I already know my size and I'm looking for bra fitters who can actually recommend specific bras that I might find comfortable, instead of just desperately grabbing the few things in my size. That's why I'm looking for a shop that has plenty of things for me to try on, with fitters who actually know about styles rather than just sizing.

OP posts:
tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 14:11

This is how all my attempts have gone at all the department stores this week:

Me: I'm a size 32H or HH, and I'm looking for bra that has a wider underwire shape so that it doesn't dig in on my larger side.

Fitter: Well I can't tell you stuff like that. I can't tell you what you'll find comfortable. You just need to try them all on and see which one you like. And we only really go up to H here so you're unlikely to get a HH.

(Five mins later) Fitter: I've found three bras, one of which is a GG and one of which is beige and is made of stretch lace so it has no support. Take your pick. They all have underwires.

This is what I'm looking for:

Me: I'm a size 32H or HH, and I'm looking for bra that has a wider underwire shape so that it doesn't dig in on my larger side.

Fitter: Sure! For women who need a wider underwire due to their body shape, we recommend [name of specific bra] and [name of another specific bra]. Let me go and get them for you to try on.

(Five mins later) Fitter. Here you go. I've brought you both bras in two sizes each.

Leia manage this perfectly.

OP posts:
SheShriekedShrilly · 24/11/2019 14:14

There’s a poster on here (I think statisticallychallenged) who is a bra fitter with encyclopaedic knowledge of bras, wire shapes etc. If you message her, I think she’d probably be able to help.

FWIW, Fantasie and Freya have wider, shallower wires. Panache is narrower and higher.

BercowsFestiveFlamingo · 24/11/2019 14:16

I don't know if it's still there but my HH friend used to go to a place in Bath and there was also one in Chester.
You might have to google independent bra shops and call them all to see if they can help.

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 14:17

Really? I'd more or less given up on Fantasie and Freya as none of their bras are comfortable any more.

OP posts:
MrsMaiselsMuff · 24/11/2019 14:18

If you come across this abrasively in person, it's no wonder the advisors don't go out of their way to help you.

If you know the styles that work for you (that you already have), look them up and you'll find recommendations for similar bras.

And most importantly, be less abrupt.

AuntieMarys · 24/11/2019 14:18

Caroline Randall in Wimbledon Village was my go to place.

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 14:20

Sorry but I'm finding this very frustrating when people haven't got my point.

I don't have any styles that work for me. None of my bras are comfortable, that's why I'm having to start from scratch.

OP posts:
SheShriekedShrilly · 24/11/2019 14:21

Yes, OP, really. I wouldn’t give bad advice on purpose. They work for me, and I know I need shallower, wider wires. But it may of course be that they don’t work for you.

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 14:27

I just wish Leia could open another shop Down South. When I went there a couple of years ago I bought four bras! They really know their stuff.

OP posts:
amber763 · 24/11/2019 14:31

You come across as really unpleasant. If you know your size and regular high street shops don't stock for you then your option is to shop online and return any that don't suit.

stucknoue · 24/11/2019 14:32

Op you need to be less aggressive... we do get your point, there's many of us who are larger ladies, we share your frustration but we all have different shapes so for me Freya fits well as do fantasie and bravissimo own brand. I'm a 34g though so more options. There are independent lingerie shops, I can recommend one near where I live (too far from you) but google will find you one nearer to you

tectonicplates · 24/11/2019 14:38

Thank you everyone for the recommendations - I'll have a look into these shops.

OP posts:
Smellyluton2win · 25/11/2019 15:06

I just wonder try on line for bras in size if you look on amazon site or triumph site

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