To think bra sizing is a loada crap?

[ChickenSoupChef]

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?

[BigBoobiedBertha]

I got measured in John Lewis but, after that initial purchase, bought other actual bras in M & S. I made the mistake of going back to John Lewis for a second bra a few months after the fitting and buying it without trying it on. Never again. It was an expensive mistake because I don't live near a John Lewis so I couldn't take it back. Went to M & S, tried on the size that JL said I should be and it fitted like a glove. If you know roughly what size you are, I haven't found any problems with M & S bras themselves, just the people who measure them.

I understand why the real experts don't use a tape measure though. The best thing you can do is keep trying them on until you find one that fits properly rather than being totally reliant on the measurement as I was with the second JL bra. You'll know when you find 'the one'!

[MsPerfect]

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

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

[stravagante]

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.

[FreudiansSlipper]

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 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

[Ham69]

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.

[littlebillie]

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

[ChickenSoupChef]

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

[Furball]

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

[StatisticallyChallenged]

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.

[OnHerMajestysSecretCervix]

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?

[varoom]

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.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

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.

[BuggerLumpsAnnoyed]

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.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

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 . 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

[NotReallyAPrincess]

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.

[Miggsie]

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.

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

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!

[RachelWatts]

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

I went to Bravissimo and came out a 32FF.

[ouryve]

It's just M&S.

[usualmum]

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!!

[Griphook]

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

[ChickenSoupChef]

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 :)

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

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.

[DamsonInDistress]

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.