Is it worth using a bra-fitting service or is it a complete waste of time?

[Loueytb3]

Finally lost the baby weight and due to lots of running my boobs have shrunk and none of my bras fit properly. I'm going shopping on Friday with DC3 in tow and there is a big M&S there so I thought I would try and get someone to measure me. I've never been measured before cos I'm too lazy to wait I've just guessed my size. So really I don't know what size I am anymore, or even if I was right previously.

Or is there a foolproof way of doing it yourself at home?

Don't use M&S as they are the worst for bra fitting.

You can do it yourself at home, there are a lot of online guides and it is fairly easy.

I would say get someone else to do it though and recommend John Lewis from personal experience. I have also recently lost the baby weight so in the same boat as you.

Here is a link to a simple guide on how to do it yourself.

I would highly recommend a fitting at Bravissimo, if there's one near you. I didn't wear the correct size until I went there, despite repeated fittings at M&S.

Bravissimo if you have big boobs, otherwise John Lewis. M&S are rubbish.

A good fitter is well worth finding - can you get to a Bravissimo?

The size chart on the link above seems a little off - I think it would give most people too big a back size and too small a cup. As a rough rule of thumb then back size - firm measurement in inches, with each inch difference between back and overbust roughly equaling one cup size.

There is also a bra fitting thread further down with tonnes of advice on it.

Bravissimo are good, they don't use measure tapes but go by what they see and whether you agree it's comfortable or not.

I don't see the point really, I just measure myself and then try on a few to see what fits (it depends on the style/brand). As long as you know how to measure, and how a bra is supposed to fit, it should work.

Definitely go and get measured properly and try on a few bras suggested at the fitting to get an idea of which brands fits and suit you the best. M&S are rubbish - don't bother. I'd recommend a local House of Fraser if there's one near you, or an independent underwear shop - not as scary as you might think and you are under no obligation to buy.

I was measured a couple of years ago post-kids and was surprised to find I was wearing the wrong size having done a 'home measurement'. To finally wear a bra that fitted properly and was comfortable all day long was heaven. I also went very recently to a lingerie boutique (tempted by the 50% off poster in the window) and asked the assistant to check my size. She was clever enough to tell me my size just by looking at me and gave me lots of bras to try until she was happy with the fit and comfort. I ended up buying one that wasn't in the sale but it was such a good fit I couldn't not.

Had a feeling you might say M&S is crap. Bugger.

No Bravissimo's near - nearest is Central London and I'm not traipsing DS3 in there. There is a House of Fraser and a John Lewis nearish but the JL has a crap lingerie section. Lots of old ladies bras, although I could always get fitted and then decide not to buy one there but I would feel guilty What are Debenhams like? We've got a couple of those...

Jumpingjack - I know the guidelines changed from reading a thread here ages ago but I got so confused about how to measure at the time that I gave up. Have just used the link and it measures me at at 34/36D or DD. I'm currently wearing a 38B but the cup feels big

What are your measurements?

Often, if your back is too big, then the cups collapse forward so you seem to have space - it's due to the lack of support from the back.

33.5 around my back
38.5 across my boobs

I've always thought I've got a broad back but now I don't know!

Funny, I think you might have the only measurements that chart gets about right (it also puts me in a 34 when I wear a 30!) So I would start with a 34D and DD, although I'd also be trying a 32DD/E too

I think the press and some shops have a lot to answer for when it comes to bra size perception. There are so many places which only start at a 34 (therefore making it sound like a 34 is really small) and then you get nonsense articles claiming Katie Price is a 34D or somesuch tripe. I'd say a 34 is a fairly average back size in reality - most people tend to wear far too big a back.

Debenhams have a good range of bras in D+ sizes in general, their fitting service however can be ropey. I would suggest giving the fitter a try, however if you see any sign of methods which involve adding 4-5" to your back measurement, start running! A good fitter will work by eye (and feel, i.e. seeing how much space is in your existing bra back) and that's ideally what you are after.

Sorry, should have said 32F too.

Definitely go and get fitted. I was wearing completely the wrong size because I didn't know how the bra should sit. I also didn't know you should wear your bra on the widest set of hooks to begin with to allow for it stretching.

Ann Summers can measure you too. I got some very nice and comfortable but fabulous looking bras from them.

Coming back to update...

Went to Debenhams in the end as that was the end of the shopping centre I parked in.

Had a good lady who measured underbust and declared me a 34" and then said, we don't measure over the bust, we try different cup sizes and check the fit. So she suggested starting at 34C (too small), 34D and 34DD (too big). I came out with 5 new bras (thank god it was 25% off!) and now I'm still getting used to wearing much tighter bras. It feels weird but I know that I have been wearing the wrong bra size all my life!

One question though - if I find a brand which is too tight at 34" and I have to go to a 36, what cup size do I try?? 36C?

I've read some of the other long thread and I am trying the scooping method as well. I suddenly feel like I have more cleavage and that my bra straps are never going to fall down my shoulders again!

If you have to go up then yes, try a C. I'd give it a while to get used to it though, especially if you feel a difference in the cleavage and straps.

When you first get a properly fitting bra it does feel very different!

Having read another recent thread I toddled off to Bravissimo last week and not only did I come away with two new bras, we found the ideal brand for my boobs, ie not every manufacturer will make you look/feel the same in the same size.
So now I can focus on one brand :-)
Plus they said if I find they don't feel right when I get home I can have another fitting to sort it out, even if I've snipped the tix off!