Bra-fitting in/near Oxford (not M&S)?

[economymode]

Hello,

I need to get measured for new bras and am 15 weeks pregnant. Popped into M&S yesterday and they were really adamant that I shouldn't be wearing underwired bras when pregnant, but I've read that as long as it's properly fitted, then underwired should be ok. Also, I've never really felt that M&S bras are that great (but I always buy them as they're good value and readily available).

Now, as far as I know, my only other option in Oxford is Bravissimo, which only does from D cups, according to their website. I was a B before pregnancy and not sure I'll be big enough.

Does anyone know anywhere else that does a decent job of bra-fitting in or near Oxford?

This is my second pregnancy and I wore ill-fitting bras with my last one and really want some decent underwear this time!

Thanks

I'm sure I've seen smaller than D in Bravissimo in Reading could you phone them to check? They are worth going to if so, their measuring service is excellent.

I would say go to Bravissimo anyway, they are really lovely and won't mind at all if you don't fit a D size and will advise you of your bra size anyway. They are also happy for pregnant ladies to wear underwires as they got this checked out by the NHS and were told its fine as long as it fits well.
You will probably be surprised and find that their bras do fit, but if not then you can take your new found knowledge to buy else where.

I'd also advise you to go to Bravissimo anyway. I've never had anything other than exemplary service there, and it's still my bra-buying destination of choice despite being a two-hour drive away from home.

Avoid Mothercare at all costs, though! I've been to two branches of Mothercare in the last week to try and buy a bra, as I won't be able to get to Bravissimo for another few weeks and am bursting out of the bras I'm currently wearing.
I was a 32FF pre-preg and, at 28 weeks, am now in a 34G, which has become too small in the last week alone.

A couple of days ago, a really rather rude and dismissive sales assistant in Mothercare, who clearly wanted to be back on the shop floor rather than bothering with me, measured me as a 38D. I knew that was wrong, but she insisted I try it anyway. Quelle surprise, it was huge around the back and far too small on the cup. It gave me no support at all, while cutting in on the cup, but after measuring me wrongly she assumed her job was done and didn't seem to want to help find the right size.

I left, giving it up as a bad job, and decided to try my luck in another - much larger - branch of Mothercare the following day. This time she told me I was a 38DD. I explained that there was no way I was a 38 around the back and, as the 34 I was currently wearing was okay on the back but too small on the cup, perhaps I could try a 34GG or H?
She laughed at me, snorted: "But I haven't measured you anywhere NEAR a GG" and brought me a 38DD. Deja vu. And I then had to demonstrate just how ill-fitting it was before, again, leaving empty-handed and on the verge of tears.

At Bravissimo, they measure you by eye and can tell what is boob and what is back, if that makes sense. Even if their bras are too big, you can get some expert advice on which shapes would be good for you, and know what size you really are. Far better than a rude sales assistant trying to tell you that whatever the tape measure says is gospel, even when you know it's wrong.

Sorry, I ranted on a bit there, but I've been so frustrated by Mothercare and their lack of help this week that I could have cried. And I'm still in my too-small underwired 34Gs. Argh!

Bravissimo or John lewis seem to be the best for me. I was something like a DD in Mothercare and a h or j cup in Bravissimo and John Lewis. Before pregnancy I was an e cup so knew Mothercare was wrong.
Heaven knows how I will fit in a nursing bra.

Thank you all for your replies - think I'll get myself to Bravissimo post-haste!

MsElisaDay, I flipping hate Mothercare, never had good customer service there.

If I'm not too late, can I also add - tell the person measuring you in Bravissimo that it's for pregnancy bras, as they have a different method of measuring you to accommodate further growth. I got mine from there (the Oxford one too, and they were lovely) and will be going back at 38 weeks for my nursing bra fitting!

Thanks, Suz - not too late!

Second John Lewis, or contact your local NCT advisor. NCT do a range of bras and a personal fitting service.

I'm 11 weeks and living in the two CK bras I bought in a larger cup size in the outlet shop at Bicester Village. Sounds like Bravissimo might have it though!

If you can get to Reading, try Pudding Lingerie. They are EXCELLENT and will measure you properly (I've had bad experiences with all the chains in the past). They have lovely bras in there and although not a huge range of maternity/nursing can order in easily. Can't recommend them enough.