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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think bra sizing is a loada crap?

27 replies

ChickenSoupChef · 19/05/2015 11:36

Or maybe just M&S

I went to M&S and measured a 36D a while ago, I've lost a good bit of weight and decided time for new bras. I've lost 2 inches from the bust and about an inch from underneath and I measured again and I'm now a 38A.

I looked online a bit and can see there are 2 methods, one is subtracting the underneath from the bust to get your cup size which makes me a 34D or using the calculators and M&S online measuring tool I'm a 38A.

I can't see how regardless of back size if there's a difference of 5 inches between the 2 measurements then I should be bigger than an A cup and I didn't lose weight to go up on the band size.

Do M&S just make it up as they go along or are bra sizes that odd and why 2 different methods with completely different results?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 19/05/2015 11:38

Its because M&S use a rubbish measuring method.

Measure yourself using this method, and you'll get your proper size

Mabelface · 19/05/2015 11:41

Marks are notoriously bad at measuring. If you put your measurements up on here, someone will tell you your proper size. Your back size is what you measure under bust.

DamsonInDistress · 19/05/2015 11:41

Yes they make it up as they go along, and the correct method is to measure underneath as the band size, and then over the fullest part bending over. The difference in inches is the cup size, don't forget to count the relevant double letters too.

OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 19/05/2015 11:52

M&S are a shower of shite when it comes to bra sizing and apparently haven't caught up with the invention of stretch fabric.

I measure 27 inches around my back and 32 inches across my bust - so approximately a 28 D - they were convinced I ought to be wearing a 32AA...

I'd bet a whole load of women's back problems are caused directly by their stupid bra system.

Original poster
ChickenSoupChef · 19/05/2015 12:13

I always thought M&S were meant to be good for bras and fitting! The M&S online tool didn't ask for a bust measurement only underneath and then a load of questions. Thank you will try the link :)

OP posts:
Griphook · 19/05/2015 12:15

There were some threads on here a while back and they were amazing for helping me get the right size bra, just measure under your bust (don't add anything at all) and and then just keep trying on different cup sizes. I went to a totally different size and this time it fits. I'll see if I can find the thread

usualmum · 19/05/2015 12:16

Totally agree...i was a 30dd in my younger days but M&S said 32D cos they didnt do my size!? Specialist bra shops are the way forward!! Proper fitting bras make your posture and clothes fitting better!!

ouryve · 19/05/2015 12:17

It's just M&S.

RachelWatts · 19/05/2015 12:20

M&S measured me as a 36DD. It didn't fit at all.

I went to Bravissimo and came out a 32FF.

OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 19/05/2015 12:22

So I've just been to the M&S bra website because I'm baffled that they can have a bra calculator that doesn't ask for a bust measurement. Anyway, does anyone else think that loads of their models are wearing the wrong size bras?!

It must be difficult if you employ models with smaller breasts/back sizes than you cater for, but still - the very first image is a woman wearing a bra that is half under her armpits!

Miggsie · 19/05/2015 12:26

I used the method the mumsnet bra ladies advocate - so when I had been exercising for 6 months I went down a band size and up a cup size.
This shows that my actual breast tissue remained constant but the fat round my rib cage went down.

NotReallyAPrincess · 19/05/2015 12:30

What everyone else said. Go to Bravissimo or use a proper method for calculating size, it'll change your life.

The stupidity of the old way is shown by your experience - you know you've lost weight & changed shape, so the back size should certainly not go up.

StatisticallyChallenged · 19/05/2015 13:29

The marks fit tool is impressively awful. You tell it you are wearing a bra with no fit problems at all and it promptly suggests a different size Hmm. Their in store service is dreadful. I went in to test them wearing a well fitted 30hh and they tried to put me in a 36F

BuggerLumpsAnnoyed · 19/05/2015 13:32

I work in a lingerie shop and people always come in from marks and Spencer's with the worst fitting bras. Proper places don't use tape. You just fit to the bra. Every bra fits differently.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 19/05/2015 13:38

Marks told me I was a 40B and Rigby and Peller said 36FF. Putting on a well fitting bra was the fastest weight loss regime ever, I looked so much better.

The one thing you can say for certain is that M&S bra sizing is invariably wrong.

varoom · 19/05/2015 13:41

Last time I was measured in M&S they said I was a 36D. I didn't end up buying anything because they didn't seem right.

More recently I have used the method on here and now wear a 30FF which is so much better.

OnHerMajestysSecretCervix · 19/05/2015 13:43

This has been going on for ages.

You would have thought they would have cottoned on by now and changed their outdated measuring guide.

Or are they just really stubborn?

StatisticallyChallenged · 19/05/2015 13:54

The best fitters don't use tapes,agreed. But you can get an awful lot closer with a tape than marks do. Their problem is primarily the insistence on adding inches to the band which makes them miles off and hard to work out how to fix if you don't know much about fitting.

Furball · 19/05/2015 13:57

Not just M & S - watch this disaster from

the best way to measure is by wearing one of your existing bra - hmm then you've got even less of a chance of getting it right if you are already wearing a bra they've fitted in the first place Confused

Original poster
ChickenSoupChef · 20/05/2015 21:50

Well I'm a 34e it would seem, looking forward to trying some on soon :)

OP posts:
littlebillie · 20/05/2015 22:04

Try John Lewis my doctor sent me there because of breast pain and new size I don't get any pain.

Ham69 · 20/05/2015 22:16

Another one here who wouldn't go near M&S for a bra, I've heard so many bad stories from friends. Bravissimo all the way for me. My body shape looks "normal" and I'm in a 28ff bravissimo bra. Definitely worth booking an appointment with them for a fitting.

FreudiansSlipper · 20/05/2015 22:17

Agree with others

Go to a department store like John lewis or debenhams or bravissimo they will have many different makes of bra as not all will be for your shape

I was a 30ff M&S measured me as a 36c and assistant insisted it was the right size for me Hmm even with the right size their bras do not fit me properly

Shame as M&S have so many nice bras but the just do not suit my shape

stravagante · 20/05/2015 22:21

Another vote for M and S being ridiculous. They measured me at 38A...I just looked at the woman, walked to Bravissimo and came out with 2 32FF bras.

Crazy.

MsPerfect · 20/05/2015 23:30

Get on the style and beauty boards, there's a couple of posters on there that are excellent with bra interventions.

M&S are shit. I think there was (is?) a thread in style and beauty where a poster was collecting bad bra experiences in m and s. It's a long thread Grin

For reference I wear a 28 inch band and am a size 8 on top (ignoring the space my boobs take up as they make some blouse's awkward!). I can't easily get my fingers under the band. It's a relief to take off, but it's not uncomfy at all.

That most shops do not sell the correct sizes nor measure correctly is one of those things in life that makes me irrationally ragey. I can feel my blood pressure rising just from this Grin