Where are those bra gurus?

[reastie]

I've got a question. It's a small thing but it's really bothering me! The straps on all of my bras (well, I have about 3 or 4) always fall down all the time. I would put this down to a bad fitting bra but I go to Rigby & Pellar. Last time I went I mentioned this to the lady but she just sort of shrugged it off. The new bra I got from there also does the same thing, yet they must fit right . If I tighten the straps up so they don't fall down then the back pulls up on my back too high. I have rounded shoulders so maybe there's nothing I can do about it???

It's usually a sign of a band that's too big or a style that's too wide for your shape. I'm a fan of R&P but they're not infallible. What's your under bust measurement and what size bra did they fit you as?

Bra amateur! Does it happen with all styles and makes of bra?

thedoc I have a few brands of bra and it seems to happen with all of them.

sorrel Just off to measure...

I used to have that problem, smaller band solved it, got the new size from Bravissimo. Went from 40 F to 38 GG....

OK, under bust measurement nearer 34 than 36. Overbust at biggest point around 42. They gave me a 36F empreinte. I always seem to get balcony style bra. I have lost a few lbs since getting the bra, but it's been doing it since new the past 2 bras I've bought.

Did you try any 34s when you went?

I'm not sure I did, but I could have . She tried several on me. She said something about this bra I have coming up unusually big or small in either back or cup so she sized me differently to fit the bra accordingly (that really doesn't help does it?!). Because of weight loss, I've been going down in size (was at one point a 40H or I) gradually. I would just put this down to that, it's only that the past couple or so I've bought have been falling off my shoulder since purchase .

OK, if you try your new 36 on back to front. How tight does it feel? How far can you pull it away from your body?

Agree with the others - it is normally a sign of back being too big. I have quite narrow, slopey shoulders and used to have this problem all the time when I wore too big a back.

Surprised at Rigby and Peller not picking up on it being a fitting issue.

This is so fascinating. I've been having this problem for years. I am a size 8 on top but have always worn a 34B. Wondering now if I've had it all wrong

Very likely JazzDalek. I'm a 10/12 and wear a 30 back.

Mind blown. Will investigate next time I'm in town

Have a look here for advice on how to measure and then how to ensure that the band size is correct before moving on to sorting the cups.

Right, tried it on back to front on tightest back strap. It definitely has a fair bit of give in it and I can pull it a fair bit. I've now got on an old prima donna 34G and fits better - good tight back fitting but the straps are STILL falling down (allbeit only occasionally rather than all the time). Thinking about it I wonder if it's just the fitter isn't as good as the other fitters in there. I've had the same one past few times and I remember when I very heavy (but size 38 - 40) she was telling me I needed a 44, which even I could tell was way off! . I thought at the time she must've been quite new and not known that well her stuff and a couple of years later she'd be fine, maybe not

That is fascinating, thanks Sorrel!

Occasional falling down can also be a style issue - but if it's happening all the time it's more size related. Some styles are generally wider set for straps than others, and some brands are particularly far out.

There's some useful measuring/fitting info on the blog? JazzDalek

Thanks, interesting link. My current old 34 bra has only slid off my arms once, my newest one would have done many by now. I guess I wasn't quite given the perfect size

If it's got a lot of give on the tightest hooks then its definitely too big! I'd try and return the bra if you're nearby? Try some 34s and even some 32s the next time you have a chance.

It's new by my standards ( ) but still not hugely new, maybe a couple of months old so I'm not sure they would take it back. I might try bra fitting myself in a dept store though and see how I get on.

Which R&P branch did you go to?
They are not infallible IMO.

Bluewater pendant . Generally they are great there. I have had to return a sports bra before when they have me one too big but generally no major complaints (aside from the current one and also the time they told me to get a 44 back size bra (they didn't sell one big enough apparently which was completely off)

Great a bra thread, I wanted to thank Sorrell and the other ladies who helped me. I had been wearing a 36DD when in fact I am a 32G! I look about two stone lighter, so thank you!