Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Got measured in Bravissimo, new bra is so uncomfortable!

45 replies

HollyBollyBooBoo · 11/02/2014 13:35

Usually wear a 40D, was fitted in Bravissimo yesterday as a 38E. New bra is SO uncomfortable! Leaving red marks and an imprint on me around the band, I am permanently conscious of it. Is that normal? Will I get used to it? Want my nice comfy bras back!!

OP posts:

ihatethecold · 14/02/2014 12:54

I had a fitting recently at bravissimo.
I ended up returning one after wearing it once. So uncomfortable.
I kept the other one but at most I can wear it for 2/3 hours before I'm desperate to remove it.

In the store it felt ok!
The fitter was really trying her best to get me the correct size.
My ribs have bright red marks on my rib cage and between by breasts.

I've given up and gone back to crop tops which don't look great.

SorrelForbes · 14/02/2014 13:24

ihatethecold It was probably a style issue rather than size.

Which bras did you buy?

ihatethecold · 14/02/2014 13:31

Their own brand.
I tried lots of styles.
The panache jasmine bra is the one I have kept.
The size is 32ff
Which feels right at the time and looks right but isn't right.!

Original poster

HollyBollyBooBoo · 14/02/2014 13:59

My 40DD is so much better today so I feel like I definitely needed that extra band size.

When I got to Bravissimo the lady booking me in said I would never go else where once I'd been to Bravissimo, not so sure I can agree to be honest!

OP posts:

FatNotFit · 14/02/2014 14:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SorrelForbes · 14/02/2014 14:12

ihatethecold Lovely as they are, their own brand bras don't work for me, shape wise.

Panache are very firm, stiff bras that take some getting used to! It could be worth you trying Fauve, Freya and Fantasie (same company) as their bras are softer. As are Curvy Kate and (strangely) Cleo by Panache.

ihatethecold · 14/02/2014 14:35

I will do that'.

Thanks sorrel.

By the way, where does your name come from?

SorrelForbes · 14/02/2014 15:31

It's the name of a character in one of my favourite children's books, Curtain Up.

noddyholder · 14/02/2014 15:33

Can I just say not re size or anything but I have a new bra on today its amazing fit and so comfy and its a lepel

hootloop · 14/02/2014 15:37

I love Panache bras, they are the only ones that I find really comfy. I am a 30H though and could probably squeeze into a 28 so not much fat to dig in to. Any trousers on the other hand dig in as I carry my fat round my middle.

SorrelForbes · 14/02/2014 15:52

Oh yes, Lepel are very nice bras. I like the Elizabeth and the Fiore range.

ihatethecold · 14/02/2014 16:24

I'm just jealous of noddy
Showing off in her comfy bra!

Piscivorus · 15/02/2014 14:27

I have bucked the trend by finding a bra in Asda that fits me well and is comfy!

After my Bravissimo experience I went to M&S where I had the rudest and most incompetent fitter in the world so was beginning to despair.

I was visiting a friend shortly after who told me her local M&S had a lady who had previously worked in an independent lingerie shop and was building up a really good reputation locally. I went to her and got some lovely bras which seemed to fit well but, when I needed more, I found M&S had discontinued them despite them being a bestseller.

Sorrell I apologise for what I am about to say . I was in Asda doing the food shopping, saw their t-shirt bra (underwired, foam cup type) and bought one without trying it, taking a gamble on losing the £4 price. It is ace! Fits well, comfy and has been washed without falling apart!

SorrelForbes · 15/02/2014 16:14

Ha, ha, believe me, if Asda stocked my size I'd definitely try their bras!

fayeso · 15/02/2014 16:40

I really do not believe the hype with bravissimo ....I have many bras from debenhams that fit me perfectly and this is from me measuring myself and trying on bras that I thought were the right size...I am indeed a 34e and that is whatI wear. I then went in to a bravissimo in Brighton and when asked what I was wearing told them and on seeing my bra on me couldn't fault it.I then bought an expensive bra in the same shop in my size and have worn it once....this was a year ago!!!
My point being work out your size yourself (it isn't that hard), and then get yourself to debenhams/ M & S or whatever and try lots on. I truly believe when you get to my age(which is only 41 btw), you know better than anyone what fits and is wearable.Sorry all....think as I have typed this post I have gone from starting on an s & b thread to needing to end up on the drunk thread!!!

SorrelForbes · 15/02/2014 16:45

fayeso I couldn't agree more with getting to know your own size and shape etc. but many, many people, having been fitted incorrectly for years often need a helping hand at first. Bravissimo are IMHO the best on the high street. It's great that you managed to fit yourself but some people just aren't as confident about doing that.

You point about the expensive bra in your size is very important. Lots of people need different sizes in different styles and brands. Bravissimo stocks a really good range and having a fitting there does give one the opportunity to try bra that you can't easily find elsewhere on the high street.

Sadly, and usually through no fault of their own, many 41 yr old women are still wearing the wrong size.

fayeso · 15/02/2014 16:56

Completely agree SorrelForbes...it just seems to be a very common occurence that many people spend a fortune in Bravissimo only to end up with a very tight fitting and unwearable bra.
It seems to me that their mantra is if not sure on sizing someone go smaller on the back and bigger in the cup.....perhaps subconsciously making the customer feel better about themselves????
Such a shame also that you do not know truly how a bra fits untill you have worn it for a full day at least.
At least Bravissimo will exchange them.....so I am not I promise completely anti them!!!xxx

SorrelForbes · 15/02/2014 17:15

Hmmmm, I don't think it's that common an occurrence. It's more likely that we just hear about it more from those who aren't happy IYSWIM? I've really only every had positives back from people in RL.

Also, I wonder if there is an element of people not knowing how a properly fitting bra should feel? I've a friend who should be wearing a 26H but refuses to go smaller than a 30 as she likes the band to be loose! I, OTOH, like my bands to be tight and to feel secure.

I think Bravissimo's fitting and exchange service is excellent and does guard against the bra purchase error issue!=.

freerangeeggs · 15/02/2014 20:58

I bought a bra from Bravissimo. I was delighted at first because my tits were practically up at my chin, but I soon realised that however long I tried to 'wear in' that fucking bra it just wasn't getting any more comfortable.

I saw some photos of myself from the back and I have overhand too. I'm an 8/10. My sister had the same issue and she's quite a bit thinner than me, so I don't think people should write this off as being just a fat issue.

I found a decent one in M&S that's perfectly comfy. It doesn't hoik them up quite as much but at least I don't look like the Michelin man from the back.

SorrelForbes · 15/02/2014 21:04

Interesting. I had major back fat/over hang wearing a 34DD but have none at all in a 30GG. My usual answer to this issue is try a bigger cup and/or a different style. Oh yes, and scoop. I know so many people that have never done this, yet once they start, realise they have reduced back fat and quadboob and then need a bigger cup.

Flip

1 2