M&S bra fitting never again

[Chrystalll]

At the appointment the assistant asked me to take my top off and what size bra I was wearing, I explained I am considering one without wires. She brought the size I currently have and stood in front of me and said right with a nod that told me she wanted me to strip, I was so embarrassed having had breast cancer surgery in the past and turned my back to try on the bra she brought. It didn't fit so she brought a smaller size then undid the bra I had on and took it. The new bra was so tight I looked like I had another boob under each armpit, she said it was the right size for me. I am annoyed with myself for not speaking up and asking her to leave. This wasn't at my local store where I have seen the assistant step out of the cubicle for others and had expected the same. The last time I was measured in a local small independent store the assistant only ever came in to check how it fit after asking my permission.

Yes that theory could be true, it explains why so many people end up with a band size way too big and a cup too small.

Oh? From your post I thought you said:

Measure round the rib cage - this is your back size. So 30” round the rib cage is 30 back.
Then measure round the breasts. For the cup size, take 5” away from the measurement and whatever the difference indicates the cup size:
eg 30” rib cage 35”breast is an A cup
32” rib cage 38” breast is a B etc

That’s not how it traditionally evolved. They took the back measurement and added four inches which is why everyone ends up with a band measurement that is far too loose.

Nooo. The post was talking about a bra fitter enjoying their job- not a customer getting satisfaction from seeing their own breasts

I'm fat. Size 16/18 and wear a 34 band
Perfectly comfortable, I can sleep in it no issues

eg 30” rib cage 35”breast is an A cup

Each inch of difference is one cup size. 30 underbust and 5 inches difference is not an A cup.

Going to M&S for my first bra I had a rib cage measurement of 28 and was given a 34B

The band didn’t go anywhere near me it was 5-6” too big

Probably should have been given a 28A not a 34B but they didn’t have those sizes then

if you were given a 34B while you measured 28 under bust, you would have needed quite a bit bigger cup than A. B cup in band size 34 is the same size as cup DD in size 28.

Similar size and need a 40” bra

I have a much wider ribcage than when I was younger. Being pregnant deformed my ribcage I now have one side that sticks out at an angle and doesn’t match the other side

Apparently after giving birth I was supposed to wear a “corset” to bring my ribcage together but no one told me.

I don’t think they knew what they were doing and faced with a teenager in the 70s with a bra hanging off them when they were the so called experts they just said I hadn’t put it in properly and walked away. Think I got a Top Shop bralet instead

Just to add I was around 7st at the time and really flat chested. Only started developing boobs when I was in my mid 20s when I took up jogging

So how do you try a bra then??

I've never had that experience buying bras in m and s. One bad apple.

Me too!

Glad to have obliged.

Not excusing the fitter, but 30F isn't really particularly big. (I say this as a 30F myself.)

Big enough that Primark 20 years ago didn't have anything suitable! And within Bravissimo's size range which she would have known if she'd taken the time to do her job and measure me rather than dismissing me because I didn't have an obviously large frame.

It is still a relatively large cupsize to bandsize, even though it isn't huge overall. The brand is supposed to cater to women who find it hard to get bras (because let's face it, there still aren't that many 28 or 30 Fs in M&S etc) It isn't a plus size brand.

I think it's more that it's slightly unusual rather than unusually large.

Oddly I don't find the "sister size" of 32E fits very well, so usually go to 32DD in lieu of 30F.

Yes, that's true. I've found a decent range of 30Fs in M&S, although not all styles admittedly. Not sure about 28s as even though I'm a size 6-8 I've always found 28 back to be too tight, especially in M&S.

I never understood what the bra fitting service was about.

Surely you measure yourself and use that as a starting point to try various sizes and styles? Hardly a rocket science. I am not surprised people so often have a bad experience, there isnt many shop assistants who are capable of really good customer service and be really helpful.

I have seed special bra fitting cubicles in M&S shop on Oxfort Street in London, they were kind of double cubicle, one space for customer and one for the assistant, with two sets of courtains.

I had an online fitting with Freya.
I sat in my normal bra and I was advised on the size I should be wearing.
I thought it was ridiculous and didn't go ahead and buy at the time. Turns out she was spot on with the sizing and although the cup size has changed a bit now I've never looked back.

Then you’re lucky, I went from an M&S fitted 32DD to a 28G in Bravissimo. Made the world of difference, most dept stores only stock a limited size and don’t have a clue.

I have a bra fitting. Different bras come up different sizes,so you need to try on and get it checked out.
A good fitter will make sure it fits everywhere properly.
Then you can go back at regular intervals to check it's still ok
You can ask questions etc.
Fitter can make sure the straps are set right too. Bras tendto be of a good quality.

I can't understand people that don't use this service, It's a good service.