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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

M&S bra fitting

192 replies

Poppyseed14 · 03/08/2022 21:03

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.

OP posts:
GeekyThings · 04/08/2022 17:23

Yeah, looking at that photo you're definitely a bigger cup size than they're trying to give you!

I've been fitted by them twice, they told me variously I was a 34 C and a 36 D, when I'm actually closer to a 32 HH! I wouldn't ever go to be fitted there, they don't know what they're doing, they're trained to fit you into THEIR bras, not bras in general.

Even if your cup size is smaller than a D (I'm thinking it isn't judging by the photo, by the way) Bravissimo will still do a fitting, and they be able to help you even if they don't stock your size.

Also please bear in mind - technically there are no standard bra sizes anyway. Most brands have different back measurements and cup volumes (cups aren't even produced using volumes, that's how messed up bra manufacturers are). So it will always vary slightly depending upon who you buy from, as well as the style. Honestly, Bravissimo do the best fittings, they do it by eye rather than using a tape measure, every time I've been they've done a fantastic job!

Cyclingforcake · 04/08/2022 17:24

Your breasts look far larger than you think they are. You are not an A or B cup based on that photo. Honestly, try on some bigger cups and smaller backs. I wear a 30E and would look like your photo in a 36B.

Cyclingforcake · 04/08/2022 17:26

Ps if you can’t face going to a shop again I order a lot from Bra Stop and try them on in my bedroom. Once you’ve found a style that fits keep buying it!

SaltySeaWitch · 04/08/2022 17:26

That bra is a HORRIBLE fit!! Part of the problem
os the construction of the bra. They seem to have started at a 30A or similar and scaled up, which isn’t going to work on someone with a bigger frame and more adipose tissue. You have a lot of breast tissue bulging over the sides which suggests you need a bigger cup. Based on that, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you were more like a 34-36 D/DD/E.

Original poster
Poppyseed14 · 04/08/2022 17:26

You are all very encouraging. I think I will try Bravissimo. This is the back view of the same bra which is just as bad as the front. I had my little girl in with me.

OP posts:
SaltySeaWitch · 04/08/2022 17:30

The back is definitely too big. You can see how it’s arching up and your shoulders are taking the strain. The reason it probably felt tight is that your breast tissue isn’t contained within the cups so is taking up band space.

GeekyThings · 04/08/2022 17:30

@Poppyseed14 That's completely riding up your back! That's far too small a back size, a properly fitting one wouldn't do that, it would sit flush along it.

You need to go down in back size and up in cup size, definitely! It's not your fault, you've been misled by some bad fittings - once you've gone to Bravissimo you'll see the difference, honestly 👍

Wait4nothing · 04/08/2022 17:32

Just for reassurance, I’ve added a photo as I think we may be similar sizes. I wear a 34 D or 34 DD (and this is actually an M&S bra!).

I felt the same when I first tried BoB but it was definitely worth trying on a range of sizes.

WombatStewForTea · 04/08/2022 17:33

Seriously give Boob or bust a go. A 28D and 34D don't have the same cup sizes. Just have a go and make sure you scoop. Buy from somewhere with free returns like brastop then there's nothing to lose is there

misskatamari · 04/08/2022 17:34

I did boob or bust recently and got loads of great new bras from brastop (they've had a fab sale on these last few weeks). The measurement I got was good, Altho I did return some and up my band measurement for comfort.

M&S are pretty pants at measurement from what I've experienced

Original poster
Poppyseed14 · 04/08/2022 17:35

@Wait4nothing ah bless you for sharing. Yes we do look similar in the boob area. It's so frustrating. I really thought I'd come away today with at least a couple of nice properly fitting bras. Back to square one!

OP posts:
userxx · 04/08/2022 17:35

Cyclingforcake · 04/08/2022 17:24

Your breasts look far larger than you think they are. You are not an A or B cup based on that photo. Honestly, try on some bigger cups and smaller backs. I wear a 30E and would look like your photo in a 36B.

I agree, definitely not an A or B.

Original poster
Poppyseed14 · 04/08/2022 17:37

@WombatStewForTea the boob or bust was giving me a 34F. I had a quick look at one today just to see the cup size and knew it would swamp my boobs.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 04/08/2022 17:37

Poppyseed14 · 04/08/2022 17:14

This was the first one they tried on me. The assistant was looking at me very encouragingly. I was like what's with all the overhang on the sides, that's surely not right. I'm nowhere near a D cup though by any stretch of the imagination. Sorry for the awful photo.

I'm much flatter than you and wear a 32D, and it fits. I went to an independent bra shop and she asked my dress size and just looked at me in my bra then fetched several 32D bras for me to try on. If you are anywhere near the Sheffield, Barnsley or Huddersfiled area I can highly recommend this shop.

Changenameobviousreasons · 04/08/2022 17:38

Oh op I feel your pain.... I even posted about bras on here a while ago! Having spent my whole. Life wearing between a 38 - 42 c-d and never ever finding a bra that fitted.

I did boob or bust and LAUGHED so hard at them telling me I was a 34g. I don't have a lot of boob so to speak so that as laughable. In true desperation I ordered a load of bras in that size and sister sizes... They were nearly right and I am in fact comfortable a 36f. I nearly fell over.

I need padding due to my tits and their funny shape and have found Victoria's secret perfect body bras the best fit.

Don't despair.... And try boob or bust.

Aug · 04/08/2022 17:38

M&S bra fitting is fine.

John Lewis or House of Fraser are much better.

SallySailor · 04/08/2022 17:40

PeloAddict · 04/08/2022 17:16

I think you'll be surprised
See pic attached
A D cup is 4 inches difference between band and boob

Sorry to butt in, would you explain that for dummies, pretty please? I get the concept of a 30d being the same size cup as a 32c, but how does it work then that a 30d and a 32d would be same difference between band and cup?
I'm a wee bit confused😅

OP i think pps are right. You're a bigger cup than you think

WombatStewForTea · 04/08/2022 17:41

But you haven't found a bra that does fit so why not trust the process and give it a go. If you're on Facebook joint the BoB group and you'll learn loads about how your breast tissue actually can spread under your armpits hence the scoop.

I've always worn 34Ds BoB put me at 30GG which I thought looked massive but it's not.

Just try it. Your also probably looking at Fs in M&S which aren't true to size

RomComPhooey · 04/08/2022 17:42

Poppyseed14 · 04/08/2022 16:47

Thank you everyone for all your help.

I could honestly cry right now. I went to the M&S appointment. It's literally the only place near me that does fitting. After trying on probably 20 bras I ended up buying one patterned bra, non wired in a 38B which I might well return. They were trying me with a 38A in anything wired and I wasn't happy with any of them. There was nothing in white or nude that fitted me. I like a bit of padding. There was one non padded bra that did fit but you could have hung your hat on my nipples. They suggested I could get the stick on nipple covers with it. I did use these when my costochondritis was at its worst but I used them with no bra. I don't think they are a great permanent solution. So I'm no better off really.

There is a Bravissimo at around 45 minutes drive from me. But they start at a D cup from what I can make out and if I was in an A cup in M&S I feel it's a waste of time to try there.

I don't look like an odd size but clearly I must be. I had 2 of the ladies on the case in M&S.

I looked at the 34F that BOB had suggested and knew just by looking that it was bonkers to even try it.

Any suggestions as to what to do next more than welcome. I'm truly at a loss.

Like a PP says Bravissimo will probably have something that works for you. You can try a range of brands to suss out which ones work for your shape. If they don’t have the colours you want in stock in the store, they get them posted to you at home for free after fitting you in the stock they do have. Panache and Freya work for my large bust. I also discovered Elomi recently (not at Bravissimo). Thing is, once you are properly fitted it’s much easier to buy online because you know which brands and styles suit you. I’d say a 1.5 hour round trip to have comfy bras is a reasonable trade-off.

Glorieta · 04/08/2022 17:52

Like others m&s fitted me as a 40c and I looked awful. I'm a size 14 and have a smallish back but lots of underarm bulge or so I thought.

Got measured round the rib cage only at an independent store and then by eye for the cup size. After much trial and error it turns out I'm a 34e in panache and fantasie side support bras and I look stones lighter

bagelsandcheese · 04/08/2022 17:52

Had a bra fitting there and they told me I was a 34c, the bra of corse didn't fit properly at all. I went to boux and I'm a 32e, they fit perfectly.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 04/08/2022 18:00

That is a really bad fitting. M&S are crap.
They Measured me as 36C
BoB method 30E
An E cup isnt massive btw, I've got about as much as you do.

Meggie2008 · 04/08/2022 18:01

I went as a teenager and they measured me at a 36C. I was actually a 30E

sweetdevil90 · 04/08/2022 18:04

Op please give your bob size a try! I used to wear 40D, m&s told me I was a 42C. I tried bob, it came out with 36H! Oh how I laughed! But I tried it, and despite looking like it would fit my child's head in it with room to spare, it was actually a pretty good fit, I tried a 36GG and it was perfect, and I've never been so comfortable.

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