Opinions please on best shops for maternity bra fitting.

[LDNlady]

Just that really. Knowing that when I was not pregnant, three different shops could give me three different measurements, where did you find the best place for fitting? TIA x

Local independent bra shop

Pretty things - in Essex

I had a great experience in Bravissimo when I went in to get a couple of slighty bigger bras early in my pregnancy. I didn't realise at the time that you needed a completely different fitting than normal and so hadn't booked, but the woman who brought me the bras I asked for figured out that I was pregnant and gave me loads of helpful advice. Everything from which brands are likely to be more comfortable to how to get the most life out of them as I expand.

Definitely worth a visit. They don't use a tape measure but base their advice on how the bra actually fits you.

I went to Rigby and Peller for a fitting. They were really lovely and very knowledgeable. Sadly the prices were beyond ridiculous (£50 per bra!!!) so I remembered the size and the things she said about the fitting and went to bravissimo to get the bras. Still expensive but not quite so dreadful. Bravissimo were just as helpful as Rigby and Peller - just busier so I had to wait a while for a fitting.

NCT do a bra fitting service, not sure if you have to be a member. Nice lady comes round to your house with samples, you try some and then she orders what you want. The lady I had was very knowledgeable about how different styles fitted, what shapes they suited, how they "grew" with you etc.

I just did it, rang on Tuesday PM, she came Wed am, bras arrived Sat am. £25ish. Worth ringing them to see if they have it in your area, and if it is available to non-members (assuming you're not). 08458 100 100.

Not M&S, Mothercare or Jojomaman (measured me smaller in all dimemsions than I have been since I was 13.

Bravissimo
Found John Lewis rubbish when pg

I found M&S Westfield to be very helpful.

I am another vote for Bravissimo, they fitted me a couple of weeks ago at 26 weeks. The Bras I bought (2 the same) actually dug in and irritated me under the boobs when worn for a whole day.

I went back wearing the one I had used, to exchange the second one and they insisted on exchanging both for 2 new Bras, and I was also told I should return these if they were not comfortable after a whole day.

As I have a large cup size, 38G at last fitting (ouch!), underwiring is important for me right now whilst still working, and though I am usually delighted to remove my bra at the end of the day I am happy with both the service and my purchases.

I am not sure there are many other shops that will exchange a worn bra because you decided it was not comfortable after all!

My John Lewis was good!

Bravissimo were great!

I've always found M&S terrible.

Rigby & Peller are fab, and bear in mind their bras are excellent quality so will last longer.
Bravissimo are good but have a tendency to fit you very very tightly, so d query this if you find the back fitting painful.

Whereabouts in the country are you?

I went to the Eveden Factory shop in Desborough (Northamptonshire) today and they were excellent at the fitting side of things, as well as selling very nice bras.

John Lewis in Milton Keynes were awful, but the NCT volunteer bra fitter in Milton Keynes is lovely (she used to work for Bravissimo).

JoJo Maman Bebe were very good and not too pricey either, I'd go back

m & s in the trafford centre were really helpful. the woman was very friendly and gave me loads of advice. I was a 34G (am now a 40H!). was going to have a heart attack when she told me the back size, but was reasurred it wasn't fat just my ribcage expanding! and it will go straight down afterbirth.

M&S maternity bras also have breastfeeding clips, which is a bonus, don't have to buy a whole new set of bras when baby boys here!

am now much more comfy, but switching to non-wired was a bit of weird one!

Thank you everyone. I am in London (well outer London) so I have access to all these stores. I have to say I've had nowt but bad experiences with M&S in the past so won't be using them but will definitely at least get fittings at the others. As much as I'd love a Rigby and Peller bra the expenses just won't stretch to two or three of theirs!! Thanks again. x