To think bra fitting is an essential service?

[AntiHop]

I'm desperate for a bra fitting as I'm 26 weeks pregnant. I went to a branch of bravissimo a few months ago and they did a great job of socially distant bra fitting, they did it all by sight without coming near me. All the bras I tried on but didn't buy were quarantined for 72 hours.

I had planned for go again in January, as I didn't want to go to central London before Christmas, but now we're in tier 4.

I've never bought a bra without trying them on. Without being able to try them on, especially being pregnant, I've no idea where to start with buying one online.

A proper fitting bra is important for all women. I think bra shops should be open.

It's not essential. I'm 33 ans have never had a bra fitted in my life, yet somehow all my bras fit.

i'm with the majority here....its not an essential service

the words essential and emergency are being exploited during this pandemic!

@StatisticallyChallenged thank you so much for your help.

I'm wearing at 38e bravissimo. I was wearing an extender, but I've taken it off to do this.

The cups looks absolutely fine from the front. The underwire in the middle is flat on my skin.

When I lift my arms, I can see spillage under my arms.

I've put the bra on backwards, and it feeks less tight compared to wearing it normally. I can fit a finger in and pull it out a little.

Jesus, I hadn't look at myself in the mirror for a while. I'm huge! I was barely showing at 26 weeks with dd.

It sounds like the band size is still fine but the cup is too small.

Ok. In that case I retract my previous comment slightly re band size as the underarm spillage suggests cups too small. The gore doesn't always lift in the middle, it depends on boob shape. If yiu have lots of central fullness you push the gore away but if your boobs are wider you can go armpit hamster instead

So, I'd suggest making the band tight plus armpit bulge means you should try two cups up, as one cup too small is generally pretty subtle (often only shows on inhale/with a top on). That would be a 38FF. Because you are pregnant and therefore your back might expand further I'd suggest also trying the 40F - but with it on the tightest hook. If you can I'd order the same bra as you have too.

These might not work but trying them should give a pretty good indication of what you need

I have very large boobs and when I was pregnant they got even bigger. I cried in M&S trying to figure it out. I do get where your coming from OP, I’m a Bravissimo girl myself.

I recently used their online bra fitter and ordered three bra’s. One is good and free returns for the other two.However I’m £64 out of pocket until they process the refund.

Calling bravissimo would be a fab idea, they might be able to arrange a video call with a specialist and you using your current bra as a guide (which is how the online bra fitter worked).

Have a look at the cake sugar candy one (think a pp mentioned it). I'm a 36f -ish whilst pregnant and that has had a good level of support. It isnt normal bra sizing. It's small, medium, large so you don't need to be so specific when measuring. Molke are the same type of sizing I think which is why this might be a good.option as well. Pretty sure bravissimo stock the sugar candy one so you could ask them.

It's not essential enough for those shops to be open but that doesn't make it any less frustrating dealing with big, changing boobs.

Thanks @Branleuse @PickAChew and @NameChange30

Thanks to everyone who has suggested different brands and shops. I'll take a look at all your suggestions.

It's a desirable luxury.
You're being ridiculous.

Good lord are people really out there throughout their whole pregnancy being measured for a bra every 4 weeks and buying new ones?

Buy a Molke one and use a tape measure. Last thing I'd want to do at the minute is be jostled in a changing room in London (or anywhere really).

Totally totally essential. It’s driving me nuts.

Totally sympathise with you OP. Without a properly fitting bra I can suffer from painful shoulders, back ache, sore skin and just general uncomfortableness.

Whilst I won't die from any of those, people are buying plenty of stuff that they won't die without - bike shops are open. Garden centres and Christmas tree retailers. The hypocrisy of people going to buy a Christmas tree, or going to boots to buy make up, while telling OP she won't die without a bra!

I'm also a bravissimo customer. This year I ordered a range of bras in a range of sizes (because just like with other items of clothing, different bra manufacturers have different sizes - in some bras I'm 36gg some im 38g or F. Depends on shape of bra and manufacturer). I tried them all on at home and returned the ones that didn't fit. I'm still not 100% with them, the bravissimo fitters are much better then me at this!

You shouldn't be wearing underwires at all during pregnancy.

I'm a 40H and manage perfectly well in M&S without underwiring

You can wear underwires as long as they fit ok. You get underwired nursing bras too

It's perfectly fine to wear wires when pregnant and feeding so long as they fit will so the wire is not resting on breast tissue.

OP, you have forgotten that it is four men in the cabinet who are making the decisions on Covid tiers and what is included. Though one does have plenty of experience of pregnant women, some of whose children he acknowledges.

Having a well-formed bra is important, but you can fit them yourself. Bravissimo have a great guide on their website.

@nosswith

OP, you have forgotten that it is four men in the cabinet who are making the decisions on Covid tiers and what is included. Though one does have plenty of experience of pregnant women, some of whose children he acknowledges.

You honestly think that if it was four women they'd make bra fitting an essential service in Tier 4? I'd be appalled and embarrassed if they did.

Jeeze, wearing a slightly uncomfortable bra for a month or two is now unthinkable? While there are women out there who can't even put food on the table for their kids, never mind buy a new £4 bra from Asda, and for whom the concept of asking someone to measure and fit you for one is just bizarre?

Seriously, check your privilege and get a grip.

To be honest, I would say shoe shops are more important (especially kids shoes) but neither are essential ...

Are you making sure that all your breast tissue into the cups of your bra as you may be measuring to large on your band if you have wide boobs. I have this issue

I think if you need to wear wires then you need to make sure that they do not press on breast tissue, but on the ribcage. This makes it even more important that you are not wearing too small a cup size.

Not essential. Get a fabric tape measurer and diy

You probably dont need wires as much as you think though

If I can go get my eyebrows waxed or my nails done I don't understand why bra fitting isn't essential too.
🤷🏻‍♀️

You can't do those in tier 4 either @strawberry2017