M&S bra size calculator- any good?

[welcometohell]

Has anyone used the M&S online bra size calculator thingy and actually had it give an accurate result? I am desperately in need of new bras as I know my size has changed since having my DS. All my old, pre-pregnancy bras are digging in and really uncomfortable now but I can't get go to a store and get fitted properly due to covid.
I was wearing a 34D and the M&S bra size calculator reckons I should be in a 36E! I'm size 12 and my boobs are not exactly tiny but nothing to write home about...36E sounds like it should be too big.

Anyone know an idiot proof method of measuring and figuring out your own bra size accurately at home. I'm so bloody uncomfortable all the time and going back to work soon so going braless not an option sadly!

M&S have a lot to answer for, sadly.

I disagree with him that older customers want what they’ve always been offered. Neither I, nor anyone I know, want I’ll fitting bras, with wide straps and chafing, which is what you get with M&S. it’s ageist, stupid and a generalisation to say that and I really hope that manager has the influence to make changes.

Whatever your age and size, surely you want a bra that fits, is comfortable and enhances your shape whilst supporting. That’s what properly fitting bras do and M&S doesn’t.

Once you have the proper size, you can look at their sales for less expensive ones. It’s worth paying, for something that’s so crucial to comfort though.

M&S are awful and never seem to measure anyone bigger than an E because they dont sell bras in bigger cup sizes for some reason.

On a related note I saw a poor lady the other day with her bra so poorly fitted it was noticeable. The back strap was up so high it was almost level with her collarbone. It looked so uncomfortable and I really wanted to hand her a card with the boob or bust website on it (obviously I didnt)

@Foxyloxy1plus1 indeed. That’s the point I was making when I said to here ‘here I am. About to be 50, dressed in Top Shop and Zara. I am your older customer. You need to start hearing us’.

Fingers crossed he has influence. It was a berry large store and he was a well dressed bloke so...

Its definitely worth trying the boob or bust calculator and getting to a Bravissimo if possible if they are doing fittings. It's a few years ago now, but I was in a 34B as measured by M&S. I was fitted in John Lewis at a 30DD so I thought I'd try Bravissimo and ended up with 28E which fit perfect. 2 DCs later and I'm now a GG, but still pretty small boobs for my frame. I'm trying to find new bras now but it's a bit of a nightmare having to do it online and returning ones that don't fit.

I was in a 40C due to M&S and now wear 36GG/H or 38G depending on style/brand

BogrollBOGOF but the teenage 30C is uncomfortably tight and more than a size smaller. It looks disproportionately small compared to the hypothetically similar 32Bs.

I recently bought some bras in M&S. Size 34F for me (usual size 14/16) and size 30E for my 13 yo. My bras fit, and the band size measures 34 inches. DD's didn't do up, and when I measured the band it is only 26 inches. I didn't buy the teen brands for her because it was the same with them. I suspect that if you measure the bands of your M&S bras you will find they aren't actually the size printed on them.

They need to remember a lot of their customer base just died.

I found the reddit abrathafits calculator and recommendations very good. It gives me the perfect size in Curvy Kate bras.

Once you find a bra that fits - different manufacturers use wider/narrower and shallower/deeper underwires - you can often find bargains in on-line stores like eBay and Belle Lingerie.

I've just followed the M&S bra calculator, which asks so many questions, particularly about how your "best fitting bra" currently fits.

I put in the size of my Bravissimo-fitted bra, which fits perfectly, and I answered accordingly... M&S wants to put me in the next back size up, and decrease the cup size????? I know that would be the sister size to my current one, but it just seems to highlight M&S's obsession with putting women in a back size that is too big.

The assistant who fitted me in Bravissimo
recommended either the size I'm wearing or lower back size/increased cup size, depending on style.

On a general whinge about Marks and Spencer's undergarments, I haven't owned a matching bra and knicker set since having DCs nearly 10 years ago.

I need smallish bras, be it 30D or 32B whatever. I need size 8-10 pants. I also need those pants to hold in a pear shaped bottom and wobbly mum tum with CS overhang. But having small boobs means that I must obviously want a wedgie from thongs or silly little shorts that get devoured every 30 seconds by my glutemus maximus.

Is it really too much to ask to have pants that match a small bra size that are capable of containing a backside and not rolling up uncomfortably under a mum tum every two minutes?

Why not do more mix and match styles so that women can buy combinations that they are comfortable with, and actually want to buy more rather than just sodding off to buy a cheap multipack of full pants in the supermarket that do the job comfortably.

I want M&S to survive and the best way to be unique is to keep to the basics and do them really well with a good variety so you know you can always get what you need in there. No trying to keep up with fast fashion.

Yes, I have one bra design from M&S that fits perfectly 36DD in white, cream, beige, navy. The black ones are always tight and held up against the lighter coloured o rd are 1.5" shorter. Not a difficult thing to get right.

It's also sad that a pack of big knickers from Sainsbury's are more comfy, softer and nowadays last longer than M&S and are half the price!

M&S bras just don't fit me. I wore a 34D uncomfortably for years - went to Rigby and Peller and came away with very comfortable 32FF bras!

Post DD I'm now a Bravissimo 32GG. M&S very rarely do anything decent in that size. They recently posted some new bras online (they never have these sizes in store) I ordered the 32GG and 34GG to try. Neither were flat against my chest in between my boobs, so were offering zero support. I had to send them back. I've given up with them. I can't be bothered to order several different sizes of the one decent looking bra in my size, to find they don't go anywhere near fitting. I just go to a bravissimo shop now and enjoy having lots to try on and plenty to choose from.

M&S just make me feel like a freak!
Most of the models are flat chested so it's hardly surprising the bras don't fit women with actual boobs!

I'd happily buy from M&S but there are literally no bras to buy for my shape!

For some reason M&S don't have FF cups in their bras so if you get their G cup it is only FF sized so you need to go up a cup size e.g. if you usually wear a G cup then you'd need a GG instead

I was wearing a 34B (or sometimes A) for years. Went to Debenhams for a change and they told me I should be in a 30DD. Was so incredulous at their 'incompetence' that I left without trying anything on. Went to John Lewis, who told me the same. This was confirmed by Bravissimo, and I finally believed them! My shape changed overnight, and my clothes all looked completely different. I'm a size 8, petite frame, with small boobs, but definitely a DD. M&S have a lot to answer for, particularly in the way they educate about cup size.

And yes - Bravissimo are more expensive, but the bras are quality, and their range is extensive. I go there every so often and get refitted, and buy a bra, but then go on Fig Leaves and buy the same bra in last season's colours at a fraction of the cost.

And yes - Bravissimo are more expensive, but the bras are quality, and their range is extensive. I go there every so often and get refitted, and buy a bra, but then go on Fig Leaves and buy the same bra in last season's colours at a fraction of the cost.

That's a good tip, thank you!

As a pp said there is no way that me (average height and very overweight size 20) and you a size 12 can both be a 36 back.

I went from an M&S 40B to a R&P measured 36FF and felt about 2 inches taller because I could stand up straight!

I'm wearing a 38DD right now doing the linked measuring up top of thread im a 34GG!

Always wore a 34 back until did boob or bust calculator yesterday.Ive been wearing 34e when really in 30G

Thinking about it now, the only place I've ever had a bra fitting is M&S so based on this thread I've probably been wearing the wrong size bra since I was measured for my first one as a teenager! Ridiculous.
If men had to wear bras they would be teaching this stuff in schools.

Just wanted to say that after the helpful advice and reviews I received on this thread from all you ladies, today I finally managed to get to a Bravissimo store for a proper fitting. I'm so glad I did! I've been wearing a 34D, I'm actually between a 32E and a 32F depending on the style. Currently wearing my new 32F Bravissimo bra and not only is it so comfy I can barely feel it but it's definitely slimming, my posture looks better and my boobs look better than they did before I had the DC! Well worth the investment.

Told you it was comfy!. Lifting boobs makes you looks slimmer.

Just a follow up from me too 

Same as @welcometohell I went to bravissimo. I've been wearing 38C/D and am actually 36DD. Im so happy with the fit, it makes such a difference!

I am a lot poorer now though!

That's great that you feel better with a well fitted bra.

I ditched the M&S measurement method a few years ago and it was so worth it. Was able to get my DD into properly fitting bras from the outset.

@dementedpixie

I'm a size 20 and wear a 36 back so no way are you a 36 back at size 12. What are you under and over bust measurements? Whatever you measure under your bust is your back size. Each inch difference between over and under bust measurements gives the cup e.g 1 inch = A, 2 inches = B, 3 inches = C, etc (A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, etc)

What absolute tosh! I could be 8 stone and not be less than a 36 back...you can't slim your bones!