I have a bra problem

[JustFabulous]

A few months ago I traipsed up to London to Bravissimo and was fitted with 3 bras in different sizes that all fit perfectly. I now need a new bra - one has a wire poking through - but can't face the trip on the train again so my shop choices are Asda, BHS, M & S and Sainsbury's for today.

I have measured myself today and under my breasts I measure 35 and across the middle I am a 40 1/2 inch. No idea what this makes me and until Bravissimo I haven't been able to get a bra to sit flat against my chest for a long time.

B fit me in a 36F, a 36G and a 36GG.

Last week I bought a Fantasie bra from John Lewis that is 36FF. I wish bras were standard sizes and all the shops used the same measuring options.

Any ideas please?

I'd order another one from Bravissimo if I were you. It'd save traipsing about trying on a multitude of sizes...

Can you not mail order from Bravissimo or Figleaves and get the same bra that you got first time round, that fits you? I wear Fantaisie and their sizes seem to be quite consistent. I've occasionally gone up from an F to an FF cup, but no mad variations that you get with other makes.

I think your best bet would be to go to M & S and to try on bras in the sizes you got from Bravissimo. Do not let the fitting ladies near you, fit them yourself, taking a smooth, plain T shirt with you so that you can see what they look like under clothes. You need to check that the wires at the middle sit right against your chestbone and don't stick out, that your cup does not runneth over, and give you four, like a cow, that it doesn't pucker at the end of the cup. Or bulge out at the sides. Oh and that it is reasonably comfortable.

I am usually a 38F in Fantaisie, and have bought reasonable bras in this size (sometimes with a larger cup) in M & S. The measuring lady, who wouldn't take no for an answer, told me I was a 42B. Honestly, you could have tied a knot in the back of the 42B and the cups were way too small, but she still insisted that was the right size for me.

I tried on 8 bras in M&S and none fit. The time before the assistant said I wouldn't get a bra to sit flat against my chest .

I have to go shopping anyway so will have a look at what is around and if not I will do mail order from Bravissimo.

check ebay for the same models, you might be able to find them a lot cheaper. www.brastop.com as well.

Thank you. I managed to get a bra that fits in BHS but nothing in M & S which wasn't a surprise.

STOP! Don't order anything until you contact bravissimo. I had a wire poke through a bra and sent it back. They refund anything bought within 6 months. They keep records of what you have bought on their system, so should be able to trace it through your address.

I've returned several things now bought on store or online.

V good customer service.

Just don't tell them that you washed it in the washing machine

I hand washed it for weeks and weeks but then it went in the machine by accident and was fine so I carried on washing it in the machine. I won't return it though as it shouldn't have gone in the machine.