Can getting a bra fitted be a dignified experience?

[Ijustworemytrenchcoat]

I have been reading lots of bra Intervention threads on here and although I've tried it I can't find a bra that fits. I've only ordered a handful from a limited selection, but I think I need to find the courage to go and be fitted.

I've found an independent store in a city about an hour away I just need to work up the courage to actually go. So please give me your begs and worst experiences. Is it as humiliating as I assume it will be? Will they judge me horribly for wearing an ill-fitting, unsupportive bra?

Just to note I had my first baby ten months ago and I never had any body confidence and have even less now. I had a difficult time after my baby was born and rapidly lost a lot of weight but have slowly put it back on. I've been wearing really crappy bras which offer zero support so haven't done myself any favours but I couldn't face bra shopping.

I know they have probably seen it all before, but I don't want them to see my horrible body . Can I get away with wearing a vest and pulling it down to keep my midriff covered? Will they touch my breasts?

A good bra fitting isn't humiliating at all. I'm one of the interventionists but I use Bravissimo as we have one locally and they are very good. They way they do a fitting is that they will as you to go in to a cubicle and pop your top off (they have a little robe in each changing room for you to slip on too) then will come and look at you in your existing bra, ask what size it is, maybe have a pull at the band just to see how loose it is, and they will then go and get a few bras for you to try. They normally ask what kind of bras you are looking for so they can try and bring a bra you'll like

They'll bring the bras in to the cubicle, and if it's your first fitting the will normally stay in while you try it on so that they can help you put it on properly (they'll teach you to lean forward and drop your breasts in to the cups.) However, they're really flexible IME so if you would prefer they left at this stage then they will, just say.

They then look at and appraise that bra - they sometimes touch the bra so adjust the straps, smooth the edge of the cups etc so they might touch your breast in passing as they do that but they don't actively try to feel them or anything (I hope that makes sense.) They'll basically repeat that process until they work out what fits you best, and they'll do it for each bra you like (although it's remarkably quick as once they've got your size in one, they tend to know how others compare size wise!)

You probably could get away with wearing a vest pulled down, as I tend to wear dresses and frequently forget to wear something different when going bra shopping and have a dress hanging round my waist. I know you feel awful about your body but please don't worry about what a fitter will think - from my own experiences they tend to be very good at only focusing on the boobs and bras. I don't know how many women a bravissimo fitter must see on a daily basis - maybe 30-40 per day between full fittings and people who just want them to check the fit ( I do this quite often, try a bra I like and just ask them to have a quick look and make sure its ok) so they are

I wonder if you gave us your measurements we could tell you a size that might fit, as a starting point, then you could give the assistant an idea of a possible size and try that one on in the first instance? Then you don't need to show your old bra?

They won't judge. I've never had any comments about the existing bras I've gone in wearing. They just had a quick look at the size, tugged the band, had a quick look at the fit at the front (no touching) and then they go and get a load of bras. The fitter will ask you to manoeuvre your breasts around in the cups if it's needed ("put your hand in the side and pull as much as you can into the cup") but won't really touch you. Once I'm in the right size/style they then sometimes point out what to look for in a well-fitting bra. They might get you to try your top on over the bra.

You will be the only one judging your post-baby figure!

Hello, thank you for your replies. I am unbelievably self conscious. Have suffered with disordered eating and bad body image so it's a huge thing for me to willingly undress in front of a stranger. I really want to change, I want to start to feel better about myself and get my sense of style back.

I quickly measured again and I am 33 inches under bust (tape measure pulled tightly, I am quite broad backed as well I would say), and 37 around the fullest part of my bust standing up, 39 if I lean over like in the diagrams. A 32 back bra would be awful because it would dig in and give me back fat.

Surprisingly considering the wholly inadequate bras I currently wear my breasts aren't saggy at the moment, bug they aren't very 'full' post-pregnancy.

I tend to go for t shirt bras just for a smooth line under clothes, my breasts are quite wide set which I think makes me look bigger when I wear clothes as there's a big expanse. Hmm, I don't know what style of bra I need. I have liked balconett bras in the past but think I need a fuller cup (or a properly fitting bra) as they give me quad boobs.

At those measurements I would suggest that you tty a 32e, 32f, 34e and 34dd. What are you wearing just now? A 32 won't give backfat if the cup is big enough -it's the cup being too small meaning that you can't scoop everything forward that's the biggest problem there. Have a look at the backfat article on the blog

Style wise, if the balconettes give you quad boob it's because they are probably too small. Do you think you have more fullness at the top or bottom of your breasts?

I go to Bravissimo too and there is absolutely no judging. All very relaxed, chillled and respectful. They have always asked me if I'm ok with having them in the cubicle when I'm putting the bras on, so perfectly fine to say no thanks. Having some new, well fitting bras will make you feel great OP. Good luck!

I'm wearing a hotchpotch of different sizes, mostly 36 C which I know is far too big in the back [shame]. The ones I ordered to try were 32D/DD and 34D/DD but just off ASOS along with some clothes so a limited brand choice (wonderbra which is all wrong for me and ASOS own).

Knock me down with a feather if I am 32E! But I understand the cup will be smaller than a 36E. I don't feel that big, I think I'm in denial, to me it means I've put weight on as I used to be quite boyish in shape.

Stylistically I have more fullness on the bottom, the top part of my breasts are quite empty post pregnancy.

The independent has a good choice: Fantasie, Panache, Lejaby and Freya are the ones I remember.

Ha I just noticed I put Stylistically how rude, I am . Sorry Statistically.

OK, in that case you definitely need to look at balconettes and half cups. Moulded bras as a rule are quite tall and generally designed for boobs which are balance all over. They have no flexibility, so you end up just falling in to the bottom and gaping at the top unless it matches your shape perfectly.

You mentioned your breasts being quite wide - is it that the individual breasts are wide so you have a lot of tissue under your arms, or that there is a wide gap in the middle of them, or both?

Have a look at this page : www.brabandproject.com/gallery/search/band/32/page/2/ which shows women in properly fitting bras. As you'll see a 32E/F really isn't huge

Bravissimo staff really are lovely. They are superb at outing you at ease.

Your current bra size is so far wrong that you would almost certainly benefit from their fitting.

I expect the fitting will improve your body confidence. The right bra can make you look a lot thinner. Oh yes.

Getting your eyebrows done is another inexpensive way to look like you've had a mega makeover.

Putting you at ease. Not outing you. Gah.

I had a lovely non-humiliating bra fitting at John Lewis in Sheffield. The girl was so good that I filled on a feedback form. I hope she got commended.

I am also a fan of bravissimo, they have never been so unprofessional as to comment on my sad post pregnancy body, or rather large boobs!!!! Definitely find that not only do I benefit from being fit properly I need guidance on what style to wear. The result is many of my friends don't think I am a 34gg and whilst friends have commented on how they dislike their own boobs, they comment on what a lovely shape I have!!!!

Ok thanks Statistically I will look for that style. I may have a quick sweep of Debenhams to tide me over till I can go for a fitting. I would have said they have a gap between them, but actually I think they are wide as well.

It's not bravissimo as the nearest one is 2 1/2 hours away, but there is an independent with a good reputation about an hour away so as soon as I can organises babysitters will have a day out. But that is what I am looking for, someone to put me at ease but ultimately to improve my shape and therefor my body confidence hopefully.

With Debenhams, watch their own brand (gorgeous) as they are notoriously small banded so you will need a 34 in those I suspect. Debenhams normally do a good selection of Freya and Fantasie which are normally relatively good for wider breasts - maybe look for the Freya Marvel (has side support), the Freya Patsy Half cup, freya gem half cup and similar (they're all on the debs website)

I was measured today!

Thought I was a 36 C - I'm actually a 32 E! WTF?!

They are just empty sacks don't know how they are that big!

Doesn't surprise me...I went into Bravissimo wearing a 44c, came out wearing a 40e! Apparently most if us buy bigger sizes to be comfy, but the bottom part of the bra should be quite tight, not the rest. I wore mine out of the shop it looked so much better, and I kept looking at myself sideways in shop windows., sad eh!

Another vote for Bravissimo. Even if there's not one close by, it's worth making an appointment and making the trip. I love the Norwich store!