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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:
KarlWrenbury · 04/08/2022 18:05

Agree that bravissimo do too tight around the back. They tried again to flog me a 32 and I simply refuse as it bloody hurts.

Goldencarp · 04/08/2022 18:09

Don’t go to M&S, they have no idea how to measure. Most women wear a too back and a too small cup.

as a rough guide whatever your dress size is plus 20 will be about right for your back size. I’m a size 16 on top but wear a 34 band. A 34H, M&S measured me at a 38C. For some bizzare reason they add 4 inches to the band size.

SarahSissions · 04/08/2022 18:11

I find M&S measure you, explain what they are doing and what size you are and then when they realise they don’t have something in your size then put you in something the wrong size and tell you it’s a perfect fit to make a sale.
at the very least I’d try to find a fitting video from bravissimo or similar so when they try to land something on you that’s unsuitable you’ll know why.
underwire should sit flat to the ribs, the boob should be fully in the cup, and not spill out and the weight of the boob should be taken by the back band and not the shoulder straps. The back band should sit straight and not be pulled up by the weight of the boob.

girlfrien · 04/08/2022 18:13

We need loads more bra shops. Half the population needs a bra.
I went to an independent lingerie shop and got fitted. Was impressed and not rushed at all.Plenty of time and happy with my bras.
Loads of ppl are wearing tge wrong size bra. You need to be measured.

Goldencarp · 04/08/2022 18:15

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.

my daughter is 15 and has tiny boobs. Measured using boob or bust and she’s a 30E and it fits perfectly.

cup size isn’t static so the cup on a 30D will be much smaller than the cup on a 30F.

as a general rule of thumb the band size is roughly your dress size plus 20.

knittingaddict · 04/08/2022 18:20

Please don't discount the results of the boob or bust op.

I thought I was an 36A cup for most of my adult life. When I got fatter it was something ridiculous like a 40AA. I did the boob or bust and got a 36DD. I was so sceptical, but I went bra shopping and the 36DD was considerably better than my old bras. In the end I settled on a 36D in one style that fitted well. It sounds crazy, but it works.

Bb16103 · 04/08/2022 18:21

I was a bit fed up when I last went into M&S for measuring, it was bonkers. They measured my underbust / ribcage to get the number size but not my actual boobs for the letter size, & they blamed the multicultural town we live in (apparently complaints about measuring being inappropriate on religious grounds) and gave me a 32c, 32d, 32dd & 32e to try on & said whichever was most comfortable would be the right size. It was years since I was last measured (at La Senza) and M&S weren’t half as helpful.

AlwaysAnonymous · 04/08/2022 18:21

I personally had a good experience! Lady confirmed I was wearing the right size (think the bras I were wearing were a bit old and had lost some of their shape so weren’t fitting quite right). She brought a couple in my size and I found the Rosie range to be the best fitting so always go for them. I did buy an M&S own multipack (same size as I get in the Rosie range) and both bras were MASSIVE. I think their sizing is a bit off so it’s just whether you can find a range/style that fits well.

soundsystem · 04/08/2022 18:28

Sexdoesmatter · 03/08/2022 22:34

In the 90s M&S would measure you and then assign you 34b or 36c. Those were the only two possibilities. I wore the wrong size for about 15 years.

Ha yes! I wore a 34B for about 15 years before realising I'm actually a 32G!

OP seriously please give Bravissimo a go. There's nothing to lose and you might just find a bra that fits properly 😉

ScurryfungeMaster · 04/08/2022 18:30

I just wanted to echo what others have said by recommening the boob or bust method. I was wearing a 34D but using the boob or bust method I measured as a 30F. I thought it must be wrong but I went to try some bras on and the 30F fit perfectly.

welshweasel · 04/08/2022 18:32

I can’t believe a bra fitter thought that bra fit you. The back is way too large and cup too small. As a size 14 you’re likely to be a 32-34 back. I would try a 32F and 34E and see how you get on. The Freya plunge bras would suit your shape well and are super comfy. Ideally get yourself down to bravissimo but if you can’t go in person then give their online fitting a try.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 04/08/2022 18:39

I feel the need to add a voice of encouragement for a trip to Bravissimo!

Like you I considered myself more of a lemons than melons - and that's lemon slices 😂 and way out of Bravissimo's market. M&S 36A on a good day.

I wear a 32DD now having used Boob or Bust and gone to Bravissimo BUT I now wear side sling bras. Turns out a lot of my breast tissue is spread further so they look flatter, if that makes any sense.

I can wear a bra comfortably all day now 😁

LottieNoah · 04/08/2022 18:42

Hate my M&S bras. Far too uncomfortable even after two separate fittings. Much prefer Bonprix, Figleaves and Simply be which all fit well after measuring myself instead.

PancakesWithCheese · 04/08/2022 18:48

That bra is absolutely too small for you!

You need to learn to swoop and scoop. Bravissimo taught me how. All the hanging out the side needs to be inside the cups. The middle needs to sit flat to your chest.

Honestly, don’t write Bravissimo off, pay them a visit.

I also find with Bravissimo that the style of bra makes a difference. I really like the panache bras for example.

MissMaple82 · 04/08/2022 18:53

I recently had an M&S fitting and only went up a size, band and cup and all seems good to me. I was happy with M&S.

PeloAddict · 04/08/2022 18:53

I wear a 34 back as a size 16, and while obviously I'm top heavy, most people don't put me as a 34K
Wearing elomi Matilda bra

PancakesWithCheese · 04/08/2022 19:05

I can’t believe the sales assistant would even think that fitted you. You are definitely a bigger size than you think.

SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows · 04/08/2022 19:08

I found Debenhams better but sadly the stores are closed.

strawberry2017 · 04/08/2022 19:09

I've always used Marks and Sparks and never had any issues with them!

Original poster
Poppyseed14 · 04/08/2022 19:14

I'm so glad I posted the photos now and interesting to see that so many have said the back is too big. As they went from that one to a bigger back size and same size/smaller cup.

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 04/08/2022 19:23

Well done for posting the photo - your boobs are not nearly as small as you think they are, most of them weren't in the cup but falling out the sides.

That bra has far too small a cup size and far too big a back, which is why it is riding up at the back.

I think a trip to Bravissimo would be worth it for you, especially as you need to negotiate something really comfortable with your fitter so it doesn't set off your costocondritis.

Dogsinpajamas · 04/08/2022 19:24

M&S told me I’m 36B and that the overhang at the armpits is because I’m fat. I had a thread on here but can’t remember my user name then.
I took advice on here and ended in a 32DD from Debenhams. I’ve struggled since and hate being measured after that experience but recently picked up a pack of T-shirt bras in Sainsburys, 32DD out of desperation and they fit really well.

Staynow · 04/08/2022 19:33

Do you want to wear a bra? I hated it, got some bralettes from Primark and won't ever wear one again. This sort of thing (and no measurement needed).
www.primark.com/en-us/all-products/womenswear/clothes/underwear/bras/bralettes/3-pack-multi-seamfree-bralettes/p/210001236

NotMeekNotObedient · 04/08/2022 19:36

M&S are utterly useless. BoB all the way. I had a similar read out to you OP and was shocked! Thought no way can I be that size.

Went to a local independent and BoB was right, I had been waking the wrong size for YEARS.

Svolvaer · 04/08/2022 19:45

Sorry to slightly derail the thread but I just can’t understand the love for BOB - I did the measuring as instructed and came out at a 30 band size - I’ve always worn a 34. Tried on a bra in the suggested size, it felt tight but I thought that was probably just because I was used to my “ill -fitting” bras so I bought a couple. Wore one for a couple of hours - so,so uncomfortable! I took off the offending bra and had deep, red welts round where the band had been cutting in to me. So back to my 34s, they might not be right but they don’t hurt! Perhaps I’m the wrong shape for BoB 😄