To expect John Lewis to stock a decent range of bras?

[TheMoistWorldOfSeptimusQuench]

Was at the JL flagship store in Oxford Street yesterday, buying a bed with DP. Whilst there, we thought we'd pop down to the lingerie department as I need some new undercrackers.

I'm a 32GG / 30H, so not a standard size, but not exactly freakish either in these days of increasing bust sizes.

Anyway, we wandered around looking at pretty things that didn't appear to go bigger than a D cup, and I eventually asked an assistant to point me in the direction of their larger cup sizes. She looked at me like I'd just asked for a white rhinoceros, then told me that they had one bra, in the whole of the department, that came in a GG. One! A second, more well meaning, assistant managed to find one other, that looked like something Isambard Kingdom Brunel might have designed for my grandmother, but that was that.

Surely John Lewis are aware that boobs are getting bigger? Surely they are aware of the success of Bravisimmo, and the fact that women will pay good money for a well fitted bra?

Crap innit? Oh well, back to Bravisimmo for me...

If you're near a Leia they're a good alternative to Bravissimo. At least, they don't look at me like I've got three heads when I ask for a 30G!

Yes you would have thought so, but no unfortunately not. Did you find your way to Bravissimo, its only a stones throw away from JL Oxford Street.

That is really crap. As you say, 32GG isn't that unusual these days. I just looked on their website as I was surprised the flagship store didn't have a better range - it's even more crap!

These days I believe C/D is about average for women in their 20s so why is there still this nonsense that D and upwards are 'plus size'?

Hm, it had a range of pretty Freya bras in there when I last went in a few weeks ago. And some nice Elle Macpherson ones that were over DD sizes. But I've been in that JL this week and the store is dominated by clearance stock so maybe they don't have the full range out.

Check Primark, I was in the other day and they seem to have about 1 million different sizes, the Tottenham Court Rd one has a whole wall of larger sizes.

Quite, LRD. And they do stock Freya, Panache and Fantasie, all of whom produce bras in bigger sizes, JL just appear to choose not to buy in those sizes. Honestly, the woman I asked reacted as if it were a really bizarre request. Charming.

this is a good article about the increase in cup sizes generally and the demand for bigger bras

And it even includes quotes from John Lewis' underwear buyer FFS!

Thanks for suggestions for alternatives, by the way. We have a Bravissimo locally, but I was looking for a bit more variety. Never heard of Leia, will look out for them, and will also mosey on down to Primarche.

How strange - I've never had a problem getting FF-H at the Peter Jones in Sloane Square and that's JL.

The plot thickens, Kindle

Maybe it's because historically they are part of the problem perpetuating the average size is a c myth - even if they have some fitters that do fit properly, the fact they don't carry a decent range of things above a D means that people not getting a fitting won't think to try anything else and see how much better it could be.

My local debenhams always has a good range of DD and up bras, in pretty fabric and a range of different shapes and styles - there were some I tried on that fitted but removed cleavage and gave me a long monoboob. Others gave me a cleavage and a good shape, much more flattering all round. They had a good selection on the sale last time, especially in the non-standard sizes.

Tk maxx is another good place to lol - especially on clearance bits - they have great reductions and you can often find nice bras for £4 or £5 instead of £30 or £40.

Thanks zipzap, that (your first para) also occurred to me, but I kind of thought better of JL, ITSWIM?

Anyhoo, I've just spent a very happy half hour on Simply Yours, (can't link on phone) so am looking forward to a nice parcel of goodies arriving soon

That's very strange. I've never had a problem at the Brent Cross branch. I've not been to the Oxford Street branch for a long time.