NOW CLOSED Talk to Panache Lingerie about bra fitting and win a bra set of your choice or a £50 voucher

[KatieBMumsnet]

The folks at Panache Lingerie would love to hear your stories about the best and worst bra fitting advice you've ever been given. Here's what Panache say: "At Panache we know what a huge difference the right fitting bra can make to the way you look and feel. We want to hear your experiences so we can help make it easier for you to find your perfect fit."

We'd love to find out what you know about getting the right bra fit, and the advice you've been given over the years - what's the best (and worst) piece of advice you've been given? Do you have your bras professionally fitted, or do it yourself in store or at home? Do you find fitting/measurement varies between different stores? If you've never been for a bra fitting in a store, why? What would encourage you to go?

What about your first bra fitting - do you remember it as a positive or negative experience? Do you have a DD you might take for a fitting soon? If so, where do you think you'll take her?
Also, how easy or difficult do you find shopping for bras? Where are your favourite places to shop? Is your size readily available, or do you have to travel far and wide to find the right bra? How confident are you that you're wearing the right size?

If you'd like to find out if you're wearing the right sized bra you can join the 'bra fit challenge' or discover how to fit your bra at home with the at home videos from Panache and Caryn Franklin:

Everyone who adds their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where 3 lucky winners will have the choice of a (D+) bra set from Panache Lingerie or a £50 Amazon voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

[hellymelly]

I've found it really hard to get fitted well. Fenwicks on Bond St were good, a small independant shop in Cardiff when i was a teenager was better. Rigby and Peller were terrible, particularly when I was pregnant.
I am also confused by postings on here that say you just measure under the bust and that is your size now, rather than adding the 4-6 inches. That would make me a 26, a 25 pre-babies, rather than the 30(FF) which I wear and which fits fine.
My first experience of bras was going into shops and being told every time that I would never get one to fit (I am 48, in those days even a 32 was almost unheard of unless it was an A cup).I had to buy big bras and alter them with my sewing machine, or by hand. I badgered M+S for years to make smaller backs with big cup sizes, after Fantasie had started taking off, but each time customer services would tell me there was, and I quote "no demand".....!!!!!

[StellaNova]

I also find M&S bra fitting shocking, for years I was down as a 36C and the bras would sag and droop - I went to Bravissimo, suddenly became a 32E or something, and couldn't believe how great my clothes suddenly looked. The way the bras actually came in in the middle and didn't just stretch across my cleavage leaving a massive gap underneath was a revelation. Yes, you have to shoehorn yourself into them, but I do think that is because they are actually offering support.

And the way the fitters are aware that not all bras will suit you and go and choose the best ones for you. Brilliant.

[SirBoobAlot]

Best fitting I ever had was Bravissimo, they were lovely, friendly, made you feel at ease - and frankly, I couldn't stop checking my own norks out afterwards I also like Anne Summers bras, not just their sexy ones, but they have a fantastic range of normal, nice bras. They are comfy and last well.

Best advice I was ever given was to lean forward slightly after you've put your bra on, and lift your breasts into the cup fully. Again, from Bravissimo.

I can't stand the way your boob size changes from shop to shop - you have to almost get remeasured in each place to make sure. That's infuriating. Please, tell me what size I am and stick to it. I'm busy, I haven't got time to remember seven different sizes, dependent on what shop I'm in.

Worst service I ever had... Hmm... Debenhams once, when the woman just looked so bored it was obvious she'd rather be anywhere else. Though very bottom of the list goes to La Senza, who have recently stopped doing above a D cup. Went to get measured, was informed of this, and told if I lost some weight, they'd gladly fit me Their bras fall apart anyway so no big loss.

Read a few times about measuring yourself and doing your own fittings, but as I;ve said about, every shop seems to be different, so have never trusted that really. Will be watching the video out of curiosity though.

I've changed size and shape so much over the last few years, with pregnancy, loosing baby weight, breastfeeding... Having a decent bra makes such a difference. I can't wear jeans because I can't have pressure on my abdomen, so a good bra is one of the things I can do to actually improve my appearance slightly.

Off to check out website now!

[mumnosGOLDisbest]

i got my first bra with friends. we tried lots of different sizes untill we found one that fitted. we'd have been far too embarassed to have a fitting.
nowadays i do get fitted bit have yet to find a decent fitter or bra. my worst fitting was after my 3rd dc being fitted with huge Nude coloured bra. it was only a 36D but looked like something my nan would wear. more recently ive been struggling to find a bra that i don't wobble out of.
The best advice ive been given is to wear a new bra as tight as possible as they always stretch and get looser.

[ICutMyFootOnOccamsRazor]

After I had dc2, I went and got fitted for a couple of nursing bras at Mothercare. They were never comfortable and eventually, last month I went to Bravissimo and got fitted again by eye by one of their fitters. It was amazing. I had been wearing totally the wrong size for ages (wrong band and completely wrong cup size).

I literally went home and threw all my old bras in the recycling bag immediately. I look like I've lost half a stone instantly and my back ache has gone. My (new) size is a complete nightmare to get (36GG), but Bravissimo have a decent range, and I can order online.

[sybilfaulty]

Best advice - to "fall" into your bra once done up and rearrange the boobs in the cups. Once you stand up, voila!

Also when fitting your bra should be snug around the band (on the loosest setting) as it will stretch a little with wear / washing, so if it is relaxed when you buy, it will be too big shortly. New bras always feel tighter as you easily get used to relaxed feel of a worn bra.

[jimswifein1964]

Reading this thread, I need to go and google the nearest Bravisimo!

My size has fluctuated so much over the years, I'm probably never in the correct bra.However, the best one I've had in recent yrs has actually been from La Senza. There is only one style that fits me well from there, but I stick to it. However, the branch by me has gone

Bra shopping is a trauma if you dont have a helpful fitter, just from the sheer volume you need to try on.

[HoopDePoop]

'Down a back size, up a cup size' is the advice I'd give anyone, really. The smallest back size you can comfortably wear, and a cup size that you probably think sounds huge, and you're on track.

I'm a 30C, nightmare to find.

Have only ever been fitted in M and S as a teenager, have just worked out my size myself since. I still buy from M and S as it's local to me and prices are ok, I wear thwr t-shirt bras - but I wouldn't use their measuring - would only feel confident somewhere I perceive as specialist like Bravissimo, Rigby and Peller etc. I have heard MNers say John Lewis are good at fitting though.

I like TK Maxx for good brands at bargain prices and surprisingly often in my size.

[Caerlaverock]

i got married when dd was 8 months old so had humungous jugs. i wanted a good underwire bra after months of slinging them around in a nursing bras. john lewis couldnt fit me so they sent me to a local independent shop. two gorgeous old ladies fitted me into the best bra i had worn ever and some control underwear. so on my wedding day i looked like a film star instead of a barrel in a dress.

worst advice marks and spencers always

[craftynclothy]

I finally got a properly fitting bra a few months after dd1 was born. I went to Bravissimo and it was great. I think the best advice was going down a back size because it's the back that holds everything in place, not the straps. It was my first fitting and was a really good experience. I'm hoping that my dd's will have their bras properly fitted but I have no idea where to take them while they're smaller than the sizes Bravissimo do.

I find it quite difficult to find bras that fit though. Firstly, my size (34FF) isn't available in a lot of shops. Secondly, lots of brands don't fit me. I don't know how M&S make their bras but NONE fit and they're nowhere near comfortable. I find Freya best but the style does make a difference so I'm even limited within their range. I tend to look for stuff in the sale because larger bras are so expensive. Plenty of high street shops & supermarkets have your typical 34C bras at about £5 but Freya bras in my size are around £30.

Fave places for bras are Debenhams (Freya bras in the sale), Leia (online) and Bravissimo (if i'm feeling rich!).

[missorinoco]

In my voluptous pre BF days I used to trubdle around in 36A cups as fitted by M and S, measured on several occasions. I wandered into a lingerie shop, where the lovely assistant took one look at the sizes i was choosing, politely asked if she could measure me, and turned me into a 32/34C.

I liked Bravissimo in the days when I was a C cup.

You are reminding me I need to be remeasured. Will try John Lewis or Debenhams.

First Bra fitting, I pulled some of my sister's old ones on, found they fitted, some were even too small, and that was my introduction into the world of bras. The peril of being a second child.

[ScienceRocks]

What's the best (and worst) piece of advice you've been given?

That you are the same size in every brand and style. Absolute cobblers.

Do you have your bras professionally fitted, or do it yourself in store or at home?

Have been fitted a few times.

Do you find fitting/measurement varies between different stores? If you've never been for a bra fitting in a store, why? What would encourage you to go?

Yes, it varies hugely. Rigby and Peller were excellent, and were not at all sniffy when I didn't buy anything straight away. Selfridges were also very good and spent a long time getting different styles and sizes for me to try. Macys in NY was the same, very good indeed. I have tried M&S twice. The first time I was told I didn't have an appointment, the second time (when I did) was awful. House of Fraser wasn't much better. Mothercare was shockingly bad.

What about your first bra fitting - do you remember it as a positive or negative experience? Do you have a DD you might take for a fitting soon? If so, where do you think you'll take her?

My DDs are very young, but I would initially do it myself while they were still developing (using YouTube or similar) and then take them for a proper fitting a bit later. I think I would try and tie it into some kind of occasion, so would take them somewhere like Rigby and Peller or Selfridges.

Also, how easy or difficult do you find shopping for bras? Where are your favourite places to shop? Is your size readily available, or do you have to travel far and wide to find the right bra? How confident are you that you're wearing the right size?

I hate bra shopping as my size seems difficult to find (I'm quite small). I can only seem to find bras that fit properly in two brands (Triumph and Wacoal, can't afford Rigby and Peller), anything else hurts or just doesn't fit correctly. I live near a big shopping centre so I can find what I need, but I have very few bras and could do with more. I sometimes buy on Ebay if they are new and with tags and I am confident about the brand, size and style. I am confident when I'm wearing the right size as anything else feels wrong.

[Debs75]

DD1 struggles with bras, she is currently a 34F/FF.
She has risen a cup size every 6 months or so since she was first fitted at BHS 4 years ago. We soon had to stop going there when she got to a DD cup. Even though she no longer fitted in their ranges they were really helpful and told us good shops to go to to get pretty teenage styles for her size. We then started at La Senza and they did us well, very good at fitting and really trendy pretty bras for a teenager, unfortunately they now only stock up to a D cup so we have now been forced to internet shop or go to Debenhams.

It is hard to measure accurately at home, although it shouldn't be as we use a tape measure like the shops do. I too found it hard to work out when she is in the middle of sizes and whether to go up a back size or up/down a cup size.

It would be helpful if different makes and styles of bras were all standardises so a 34 FF was the same whatever brand you bought.

For myself I found maternity bras horrendous to buy, especially from mothercare. Being overweight I have a large back size and the assistants would point blank tell me 'sorry we don't have anything that large' I am only a 40/42" back size and a D/DD cup but I was made to feel like a heifer! Debenhams was the only place I could get a larger maternity bra and they were great with the fitting and made sure I was comfortable in it. I really need to get a new one as I have had the same 2 for 2 years now and they have probably lost all support but as I am losing weight I don't want to splash out on something just yet.

Evans are also good with fitting. I got a multiway bra from there, after Debenhams telling me they don't make multiways over a 38" as they won't support you if you are too big. Strange how one day you get good info and the next you don't. Evans had back sizes a lot higher than 40" and it is one of the most comfiest bras I have ever worn. Very nice assistant as well helped with the fitting

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I have had some good fittings, and some blooming awful ones. Generally, the awful ones involved a tape measure! I want to be fitted for a bra, not measured and told a size


Like many, bravissimo have been head and shoulders above the rest for me, I've been to several branches and always had a good service. interestingly since we got a bravissimo, both debenhams and john Lewis seem to have changed their approach. Mothercare were awful. Tried to put me in a 40 back when I was never more than a 32 even full term. M&s rely on a tape measure too much in my opinion- I don't necessarily object to using a tape to get A Starting point-especially if the existing bra is very bad- but it should only be a basic guideline and should then have a full fit done by eye/feel.

I'd also like to see better fitting/measuring advice online as the number of major websites which persist in showing outdated add 4inches charts is appalling.
Marks are a personal bug bear because they advertise as being fitting experts when they are frankly awful. Any bra they have told me to buy has always fitted very badly, either hugely loose in the back or far too small in the cup.

Worst advice is definitely add inches, best is the lovely lady in bravissimo who taught me how a bra should actually fit-this meant I was able to judge for myself rather than going by labels when there are such big differences between brands.

[CatPower]

The worst bra fitting I ever had was in M&S. I was sixteen, busty, and overheard the fitter telling her colleague I was "disgusting... a 38D at her age...". I left the shop and didn't get fitted again until I was 22. What a revalation THAT was! Again, as others have said, Bravissimo saved me from grey swinging-around-my-stomach style bra hell. At that point I thought I was a 40F - an hour in with Bravissimo and I found out I was actually a 36H! My new bras were comfortable, supportive and PRETTY - something I never thought I'd get to say about my bras. Seven years on, Bravissimo is still the only shop I'll buy bras from, and nine times out of ten they're Panache Superbras in as many colours as I can afford. Love them.

[KatieMorag]

I only get fitted and buy at bravissimo. I've had very bad experiences at M&s, John Lewis , debenahms and Mothercare, similar to those other posters have mentioned. Also I'm a 30f and many stores don't stock my size.

Panache bras generally don't fit me as the wires are in the wrong place. They seem to assume that f cup wearers are big everywhere, so the wires come up too high at the sides and front. Sometimes I get red marks from the bras just trying them on

Freya generally work better for me. Although I've had some good under wired bikinis from panache

[Lizzzombie]

Yay! I love a good bra-fit thread!
I am a bra fitter.
Worked at Bravissimo for 2 years, Mothercare for 5 years and recently started at Debenhams.
LOVE my job.
LOVE helping women find the perfect bra for them.
LOVE educating them so they know what to look for when shopping for bras in the future.

HATE the stories about M&S. I have so many women come to me who have been incorrectly fitted by them. I'd love to know how they can justify it, when they hold in store other sized bras which would fit the customers better. It flumuxes me!

Panache bras are fabulous. Their Superbras are the "Ronseal" of the bra world. I swear they change womens' lives! Can't recommend them enough.
Women of a certain size need decent support and still want bras which are vaguely attractive. Panache bras knock the spots off other brands in this area.
Support wise, they are the BEST.

I urge all women to get properly fitted by a nice bra lady (like me), the experience is not scary and can be so positive.
(o) (o)

(happy boobs!)

ps. I am a 32 H but you'd never guess...Because I wear the right sized bra I look in proportion and not top heavy.

[Bert2e]

My worst fitting service has been in M&S where they measure me, find the bras in that size don't fit and then tell me that either they do - when they obviously don't - or tell me they don't have anything for me. My best fitting experience was with a lady of a certain age in JL who told me she was trained by Berli years ago and could also do corsetry. She fitted my maternity bras for me and was fab. I've also had good service in La Senze - I don't know if it was the fact that it was an old Contessa store that helped. I hate bra shopping as I struggle to get them to fit - I'm a 34 D/DD. I know the La Senza Ultra Mesh bras fit and I've got a stock pile but I'd love to have some pretty bras but I can't face the shopping. I also agree with other posters that I don't want padding in all my bras - I'm big enough already thank you!

[Thundercatsarego]

Hi there,

I've never been for a bra fitting. I think the main reason for this is shyness, and I'd rather soldier on and find bras that fit me. On that note however, that's obviously ridiculous behaviour as I really hate bra shopping...not only do sizes vary between brands, they seem to vary between different styles of the same brand. So I usually load myself up with an armful of bras to try, usually in a few sizes, and then go through the soul destroying process of trying all them on, only to find maybe one or two that actually fit.

And don't get me started on strapless bras- never found a comfortable one that stays up!

[MissRee]

I hate bra shopping with a passion. They're ridiculously overpriced and I can never find a comfortable fit, even after having had a fitting

I wear a 36G but they ALL dig in under my arms, some don't fit properly in the cup (but next size up too big) and I always have too much "bounce". I feel like I should wear a sports bra at all times but even they aren't comfy! It's definitely got worse since giving birth in Jan!

[lynniep]

My step-mum 'fitted' me for my first bra. She was totally wrong - probably because she's never needed to wear one herself, and I was wearing entirely the wrong size (38B) until I was probably about 19. I had a bra fitting at M&S, but she size she told me I was, was completlely useless for me since none of the bras she brought for me were comfortable. For many years after this I wore either a 34C or a 36C depending on the bra and what felt comfortable. I very much need a fitting now as i've put on weight, but can't quite bring myself to get fitted...

[hk78]

I've only ever had one bra fitting, so I can't say what was the 'worst'. It was in Debenhams, when I was pregnant (so many moons ago now) and it was great. Like most people, it turned out I had been wearing the wrong size and needed smaller back/bigger cup.

I bought one bra from them and it was great, so comfy, but at £19 all those years ago I couldn't do that very often.

for cheaper ones, I like the George/Asda range for bigger boobs, I find them pretty good for the price.

This thread has got me thinking, time to go for a fitting I think, as I haven't had one in this century

Would love to win this voucher though, I am waaaaay over a D and am about ready for some lovely new undies.

[forcookssake]

My worst bra fitting experience was in M+S actually, which was so surprising as (at the time) I thought they were trusted and competent.
I was grabbed and held in ways I was not expecting by the assistant and ended up with a bra that was really quite uncomfortable

[HumphreyCobbler]

My best bra fitting experience was in Debenhams when I went in a 36E and came out a 32FF. I had a totally fantastic new shape .

My best bit of bra advice came from SorrelForbes (see above thread) when she told me to scoop my boobs properly into my bra and I eliminated my back fat immediately.

I cannot believe that no bra fitter had ever told me this before.

[aristocat]

My worst experience was also in M&S (so many of us ) ..... for starters there was no fitter immediately available so I had to make an appointment for later that day. Then I was left with a handful of bras and none which felt comfortable. I must say this was a few years ago.

Then last year I went to Debenhams for a fitting after losing weight and came away with a new size and 2 comfortable bras. The fitter there was brilliant. I was also told to 'scoop' into your bra

DD is just starting to develop and I will definitely take her to be measured when she needs a bra. She is still only 8yo ATM. It will be a lovely experience for both of us.