Bra fitting problems, any recommendations for RL help near Portsmouth?

[JenniMoo]

I usually manage fine measuring myself and ordering from bravissimo, but I've just had a 3rd attempt in a row fail and I'm not sure quite where I need to go from here.

I know there's a bravissimo in Guildford now, but that's a little far by myself, with 2 DCs, and I'm getting desperate! Has anyone used anywhere else locally? We have a john lewis in Portsmouth and another in Southampton, but don't want to make a journey if I'm not going to get the help I need.

I believe the situation is pretty grim down there for fittings - SorrelForbes will be able to confirm I think.

Can we help at all? If you can tell us what bras you tried and what was wrong we might have some ideas

JL in Southampton is the best bet. I think there's a Bravissimo in Chichester and/or Brighton?

I'm along the coast in Plymouth and it's even worse here!

Bravissimo is Guildford or Brighton. Both a bit of a trek.

I'll try and explain. I measured a 32gg so ordered some in that a m
I ordered

A month or so ago. They were too big IIRC (gaped in the cups) so I recently ordered 4 different bras in a 32g and 32ff. The G was too small in all of them (4 boobs) so I ordered 3 of them in a 32gg. All seem to have the same problem, although the moulded cup bra which almost fits (cleo maddie) managed both boob squishing out and gaps in the cup at the top, but mainly on one side, I'm lopsided. The panache idina plunge I wasn't keen on due to the see-through material, but didn't feel very supportive and again they squished out the top a little.

The ancient bra I'm currently washing and wearing constantly is a fantasie serene in 32g. For some reason I haven't yet ordered another to try a new one, but will do.
Any thoughts great fully received. I'm ideally after nude or cream bras. I am BFing which could be a factor in the lopsidedness and my confusion, but I've been wearing underwired successfully since dc2 was tiny.

Ok, few thoughts:

Moulded bras are a bitch to fit - they have no flexibility so gaping in one place whilst escaping out of others is really common. The Maddie has quite wide, shallow cups which could explain the gaping. It's sizing is also a bit bonkers!

A lot of bras/brands (freya especially) change their designs dramatically at a GG cup which can also cause problems when you are on the cusp.

Can you try to look at your breasts objectively and look at:
-whether they are close or narrow set (what's the gap between them like?)
-whether they have narrow or wide roots (so does the breast tissue go round well under your arms or are they quite upfront?)
-are they fuller on top, bottom, or all over?
-are they quite high set on your torso or lower?

How does your Fantasie Serene fit?

The fantasie serene fits well, although may have stretched due to wear.

DH and I have had a look, but I'm finding it difficult to be objective!
We think they're medium gap, do go a bit up under the arms, full all over (perhaps a little less on top) and medium set on torso.

Hard to tell I know!

I'm inclined to suggest trying something else by Fantasie or Freya (made by the same company), and possibly ordering the 32GG and 32G especially as your serene may well have grown a bit due to wear. IME, panache bras have a very different fit with normally much narrower and deeper cups than Fantasie and Freya which tend to be a bit wider and shallower but not to extremes and not as bad as the Maddie.

If you particularly want something moulded then I would suggest trying the Freya Deco and fantasie rebecca. As you aren't too bottom heavy you should be able to find a moulded but they are a little trickier. You might also like some of the Bravissimo own brand bras - the Alana is good but I would try the GG as it runs a sniff small. Also a big fan of the Betsy Bow but it runs small in band so maybe try the 32GG and 34G. There are lots of other options, just a few suggestions.

The Cleo maddie is a bit of a random outlier - I normally fit cleo (by panache) bras really well but that was a total disaster on me. Really shallow and wide and just odd!

Thank you, I'll try those

Try Tinks Pretty Things in Chichester, she really knows her stuff. I always find the ladies on the other end of the phone at Bravissimo very helpful too.

Ooj, I like the look of Tinks Pretty Things in Chichester. I'm moving in August and will be very close to there. I can seem much bra shopping ahead.

Tinks looks fab, just what I was after. Just need to find a time I can get there, and decide whether to risk taking the 2 DC with me...

My bravissimo order of what statistically suggested has arrived and there's some that fit fantastically. I will try them again tomorrow when I've been BFing all day instead of being out at work all day.
Weirdly, the new version of the bra I already have doesn't seem to fit at all: the wire digs into the breast tissue in the centre...

Fingers crossed! It could be that your own bra has adjusted and sort of moulded to your shape over time... Or just softened with age!

Have you tried calling Bravissimo ? Sounds daft i know but i use them, i ordered 32G from them that just didnt fit in any shape, way or form, so i ordered the GG from them, still no joy so i thought bugger it and called them. They said to put the bra on and stand in front of a mirror, they asked lots of questions about how it fit, felt etc and then suggested a new size for me a 34J ! i thought they were having a giggle, but the giggle was on me as it fit perfectly .

My mum, sisters and niece have all been to the Bravissimo shops and say they are worth the trek. Great fitting bras do make you feel better so it might be worth the trip to Brighton (and for all the other shops to of course)

I can usually fit them myself fine, just had a struggle this time, but have 2 that fit now and another I will herbs smaller band on (it fits fine on the tightest hook).

Out of interest which ones worked for you?

The betsy bow in the 32gg is a great fit, as is the bravissimo alanna. I really liked the fit of the Freya gem in 32g but the band is too big, and it's a little too see-through, especially with breast pads!
The fantasie serene (which I already have) still looks like the wires are too far apart for my breasts, and dig in slightly.

I just need to try and find some nursing clips in suitable colours to convert these. I'm not sure I have wide enough ones in my stash, and definitely not brown and mint green.

The wonder bra in gunwharf is good. They have shocked two of my large breasted friends who wear the right size now. There's a bravissimo in Brighton if you particularly wanted them? Nicer day out that Guildford.

There's a shop called hidden agenda in, I think, Botley and Romsey which I have heard good things about.

Those two fitting is a bit of a result as Bravissimo tend to do lots of seasonal "balconette" cuts which will be pretty similar. So you should have a good range, plus Alana comes in a really good colour range. You may find the 30GG works in freya, a lot of people take one band lower in Freya compared to bravissimo own brand