You bra experts are Very Bad People <glares>

[needasilverlining]

As of this morning, a scant two weeks after putting me in the right size bra for the first time EVER, I own seven new bras.

Seven.

And I am STILL LOOKING. I am obsessed.

You will drive me to the poorhouse.

(It isn't quite as profligate as it sounds: most have cost me 5-8 pounds; the most expensive was 11. But even so.)

Please tell me I'm not alone and there are other MNers with a drawer full of new undies thanks to the Bra Enablers?

[needasilverlining]

Debenhams in my home town has no bras at all on its clearance rail. Not fair! Although buy and collect service is excellent.

[LegoCaltrops]

YY to staging an intervention at the next industry conference! Or how about, for example, a twitter storm or we all post comments on Facebook or something, for the major bra companies, to start doing more 28,26 bands & some 24 bands, I've seen loads of comments on there threads by mums with teenagers with a 24 back that's impossible to buy for. I'm a total dunce with twitter though so I may have to fire up the PC to figure out how to work that...

I tried Asda for bras about 6 weeks ago, was then newly a 32 DD. Gave up as they only had a couple of 32 bands & they only went up to B cup, in my branch anyway. After more weight loss (Yay!) I'm a 30 E or F so it's pointless even looking. I know they definitely had no 30 bands at all. But we do have a discount shop (Boyes) locally who stock end-of-line bras so I'm going there. I think they are good if you live in the North, I just checked their website & they have stores as far north as County Durham, down to Cambridgeshire. Not sure if all stock bras but they have a website I think they are worth checking out. I got some M&S ones for £2, and a Lepel for £8.

[LegoCaltrops]

Sorry that was supposed to say 'comments on these threads' not there threads. Not enough sleep. again.

[Joycey29]

Definitely agree on petition! Twitter storm!
Seriously the guy on EBay was brilliant and very reasonable. Love that my new bras fit well but apparently they are good on returns too.

[Joycey29]

Started on Twitter #realbrasizes :)

[Hanginggardenofboobylon]

SC and SF amongst others have tried to get M&S to listen on twitter, both about fitting issues and range of sizes, they just aren't interested saying there isn't the demand and that fitting disasters are isolated incidents.
Depressing really

[goodasitgets]

Stick old bras on eBay - I made £100 which went nicely towards a few new ones

[MrsMongoose]

Any clue where I can get good, cheap 30d bras? I'd like to try on if possible!

[littlemisswise]

Matalan is far better than Primark for cheaper bras. They go quite large too, my Mum buys her 38H's there.

[marriednotdead]

I've had a rummage in TKMaxx today. They have a batch of Lepel stuff which goes to a G, and a couple of other American brands I'm unfamiliar with. I tried 5 different styles on but wasn't happy with the fit of any of them. That's a reflection on me as much as the bra though as I'm both an awkward fit and a fussy mare

Worth looking for 30d's there.

What I did find was the Lepel Olivia chemise/nightie. I'm a 32FF/G at the moment and the size 14 was a very acceptable fit, a great shape and proper boob support for a paltry £7.99! I may have bought 3 as DD wanted one too

In typical unashamed fashion, I staged an intervention in my local M&S outlet a short time later
A poor lady was rummaging through the 36E's and I couldn't help myself, she reminded me of my lovely MIL. It ended up with me actually fitting her into one of their 34GG full cups- her trust was rewarded as it was perfect and she was thrilled

[SorrelForbes]

marriednotdead I have visions of one of us being escorted from M&S one of these days!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Ooh I might have to have a look for that lepel chemise Married.

I've not been brave enough to do an in store intervention yet (but possibly only because I can only shop in Bravissimo anyway - I went in to my local debenhams and not a single freya in anything less than a 32, and no Cleo!)

[SorrelForbes]

My local Debenhams only stocks 28 & 30 bands in their own Gorgeous range. Nothing in the Freya or Fantasie sections (which actually only contain about three styles each) and no Cleo or CK.

No Bravissimo either - rant, rant.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

My local one used to be great, I think they have now given too much space over to Gorgeous. Freya used to have a whole wall, which is now all gorgeous, as was the other wall which used to be gorgeous. Freya was confined to two small floor stands with a tiny selection. Annoying.

Made the mistake of buying Cleo Marcie pants without trying them on - fabric rationing alert on those!

[LegoCaltrops]

Well Boyes was a bust. (sorry for the bad pun!) I've seen 30 bands in there before, but not today, sadly. I did quiz the lady in Next on why they don't have anything below a 32 band in the 'adult' range, & the ' teenage' range only has 28 upwards, A/B cups only. I doubt she will pass it on but maybe...

[SorrelForbes]

The Melissa and Bella pants (in a 12) are quite snug too!

[marriednotdead]

Remember that Cleo is targeted at the teen/younger Panache market, hence the cheaper fabrics and skimpy cuts on the shorts. Curvy Kate are even worse.
In terms of briefs etc. I'm a small (10) in Freya, a 12 in Panache and a 14 in Curvy Kate. I've given up with Cleo as I'd need to take a taxi from their waistband to my navel.

[SorrelForbes]

Are you intimating that I have a mahoosive arse, married? . I am going to ignore the fact that Cleo are aimed at the teen market and instead delude myself that they are firmly aimed at women of my age (only a tadge older, cough, cough)

[CelticPromise]

I'm glad I found this before ordering Cleo Maddie as I nearly did today.

My sister has finally let me intervene after months of nagging, hurrah!

[marriednotdead]

I have no comment about your arse Sorrel, I have no idea what it looks like and I don't 'fit' knickers although I should as I've been asked advice so many bloody times

I think they realised that there was a 'shape gap' after the success of the Cleo balconettes, hence the arrival of Panache Jasmine.
So many women have said things like ...I love the fit but don't you have it in normal colours?!

[GobblersKnob]

I am the polar opposite marriednotdead I am a large in Freya, my size (12) in Cleo and a 10 in Curvy Kate

I think I may be a teen at lingerie heart, most of my sizeable bra drawer is made up of Cleo and Curvy Kate and I don't own a single black or white bra, I do have a Masquerade Delphi in kind of nude with burgundy embroidery, that is quite grown up

[SorrelForbes]

Less said about my backside the better, I'm sure DH we would agree . I am an ample build and I can't stand skimpy knickers. My Cleo Melissa and Bella pants are Ok but they are a little tight on the hips (VPL) but they are sooooo pretty.

The Jasmine is lovely but it didn't work as well on me as the Melissa.

GobblersKnob I have the Delphi in that colour too. It's a little gappy on me at the top of the cups (too wide perhaps?). I don't own a white bra either. I have a CK Elegance in black, a Cleo Juna in black and that's it.

I wish the Melissa/Bella came in a plain nude and black. I think I'll have to buy a Panache Idina in black for the winter instead.

[Wonderstuff]

I wish more places sold 28 backs. I'm tempted to find out the cost of putting into production the impossible to buy 28c and going into retail myself.. Maybe we could collectively start the MN Better Bra Company?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

sorrel if you get on with marcie, which I reckon you will, then you might be interested to know they are bringing out a black baby doll version of it this season. it's basically the full bra with a sheer bit below. there's a few bloggers talking about buying it to convert back to a bra

[SorrelForbes]

Oh, that sounds nice. I fancy the idea of some sexy night attire which will probably never leave the drawer and as you say, it could possibly be converted.

Which colour Marcie did you buy? The pants are a bit frilly! I can't find the Lily on-line anywhere to buy.