M&S bra fitting

[Poppyseed14]

I've taken the plunge (no pun intended) and booked myself in tomorrow to be measured. I don't actually own a bra that fits me well. I was unwell with costochondritis for about 18 months during the pandemic so I didn't even bother wearing a bra unless I was going out as I was just too sore. I've also lost 2.5 stone in the last year though mostly from my bottom half. Anyway M&S is my only local option for fitting but I've heard mixed reviews. Just wondering whether anyone has any experience of them as regards measuring. Do they do that add 4 inches to the band measurement thing? Am I likely to come away with a bra that fits or just another bra to put in my already full to the brim drawer of badly fitting bras. I've never had a fitting before so any advice is most welcome.

Whenever I've had a bra fitting with M&S they get you to try bras on of various styles and I usually walk away having purchased a bra that if anything is a wee bit too snug! Last time I had one was a few years ago though.

If you have a tape measure I would give the boob or bust measure a go before your fitting. You could then compare the outcome and try a few different sizes.

www.booborbust.com/

I've found M&S try to got you with a bra they have in stock... regardless of if it's really your size! Bravissimo do virtual fittings if you don't have one near you.

@NightmareSituation dear lord. This is bringing my little fried eggs out at a 34F 😳 I'm currently in a 36B and finding the cups a bit big. Goodness only knows what I'm going to come out as tomorrow 🤣🤣 thank you for the link though!

Hahaha! It was worth a go @Poppyseed14 😂

I’ve never had a decent bra from M&S :(

Best bra fitting & bras I’ve had recently was a virtues fitting with Curvy Kate - she took me from a 36DD to a 34G which I thought was bonkers but she was 100% right and I’ve never had such well fitting comfortable bras in my life!

I’ve always found them terrible and go to Bravissimo, who are amazing and just seem to know by looking at you.

My advice, do not go to M&S for a bra fitting. They will not size you correctly. Boob or Bust is pretty accurate so I would try online. Bravissimo do free returns so order loads and do sister sizes (32FF or 36E) to try in a variety of styles and brands. If Boob or Bust is showing you as a an F cup, that means there is a size difference of 7 or so inches between your under bust and over bust. You are definitely NOT a B cup which would be 2 inches difference.

Yep, M&S do offer bras that are too snug & tell you they’re a good fit!

I’ve got a drawer FULL of bras and only about 6 that stay comfy all day.

My hoarding friend tells me I’m a bra hoarder but like men who roam the pubs looking for “the perfect pie “ on the menu, I’m always looking for the perfect bra.
Good luck!

This is quite a good visual to show that not all cup sizes are equal.

@NightmareSituation I'm strutting round the house now like Sam Fox 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@DelilahBucket these are my measurements. So the 7 inches comes from the tight band size and the leaning cup size. However when I lean over my boobs are very much 2 small pointy triangles, nothing really at either side. So I can't see than I'm an F. Honestly I can't fill a 36B. Even with the sister sizing that would be a 34C. I'm flummoxed by this F thing 🤣🤣

M&S measured me at a 34E, I tried boob or bust and it came out as a 30gg and I was very much like yourself. Wtf! However I then booked into bravissimo who also said 30gg.
Perfect fit. I'm now in a 32hh as I've put on a bit of weight and also wearing the correct fitting bra means my side boob has now moved to the front.

I also found boob or bust gave me a ridiculous size whereas M&S measured me perfectly. I think they do add the 4 inches thing - but so do their bras if that makes sense? So they measure correctly for what they sell and you have to convert it in other places that don't add the band inches.

I used to wear a b cup and the same - a little roomy. Then when I did Boob or Bust I got a 32e. It's mental but it works.

I've been looking at Bravissimo and their website says they do the virtual measuring over Zoom but just by looking at you. No tape measure required. What is this sorcery?! They have never been on my radar before as they seemed to cater for the larger boobs and as I said, I have only got 2 fried eggs here. Like if I had no nipples poking out I'd happily be braless all the time. I can't be an F cup. I can't be....

M&S are awful
They put me in a 40HH and I'm a 34K...

Did an M&S bra fitting about two months ago. She told me I was a 36A, always thought I was 34B….. She recommended one bra and was clearly in a rush, but I then went on to try on other bras there using her new sizing - ended up with bras that really fit well and are so very comfortable - Ranging from £22-£25 a bra. So really recommend - wish I had done it sooner!!

So if I do the add 4 inches thing I'll be a 40A 😳 I really don't get the logic with the 4 inches.

If you wear a too big band and too small cup then your boobs may just as well be wearing a hat.
A properly fitting bra needs to be snug round the back, this needs to provide all the support. The cups need to be big enough to encase all your breast tissue, all that squidge out the side and the back fat above the band. As your body gets used to being scooped into a well fitting bra it will migrate back to the correct place.

I had a bra fitting at M&S recently, I was happy to come out with a bra that actually fits.

What they do now is just measure under the breast to get the size then hazard a guess at your cup size by sight. They'll bring you a variety of styles and cup sizes to see which one suits you best. In some styles I could be 36C and D in another. Usually pretty reliable in my experience.

Whatever they measure you as go up a band size and down a cup. The whole boob or bust may be correct but it's not comfortable, I need to breathe. They measure me 32c, I wear a 34b comfortably.

The last time I was in an M&S changing room and a woman was having a fitting (she was unhappy with the size she'd been measured as by the fitter who had gone to put all the bras back) I explained the boob or bust method to her. She went home to measure herself

Cancel your fitting. M&S do not know a thing when it comes to bras. Your own measurements will put you in something close to what will fit you but do try a couple of sizes either side and different styles.

A balconette style for example might suit you better if you have boobs that are wider apart and may not seem to have that much volume, because the tissue is spread over a larger area.

You also have to make sure you wear your bra on the outermost hooks. They stretch a little over time so then you go in a hook.