Bravissimo or John Lewis Bra Fitting?

[4forksake]

Going to go for a bra fitting this week (having tried the bra guru method to measure myself & seemingly being in the completely wrong size). I've got access to both bravissimo & John Lewis (& also Fenwick) so wondered which is likely to be best or will either be ok?

Always been an M&S shopper but not falling for them anymore!

I would recommend Bravissimo.

Bravissimo.. definitely.

Bravissimo are great and will bring endless styles for you to try.

Bravissimo are better than JL.

Also going to say bravissimo!

Depends on your cup size. Bravissimo brilliant for larger sizes, but even though they go from D or DD up, I have never found them as good at the lower end of their range. (Babies, weight gain, weight loss etc mean I have ranged between C - F over the years).

JL are only held back IMO by their smaller range in larger sizes. The standard of the fitting has always been good for me.

I've not had fittings at Fenwicks, but my mum has, and I took her to JL and to Bravissimo, and she ended up with the same 3 bras! So I'd say probably the same standard as JL.

I had a poor experience in Bravissimo - booked appointment but didn't get anyone experienced to fit me. When I chose a bra they refused to sell it to me unless I provided them with my full name and address. Returned to JL to have a far better experience with much more helpful staff. I will never go to Bravissimo again - perhaps as a woman in her 50s I was too old for them to bear to look at me?

Great, thanks. I'll give Bravissimo a go.

I'm not sure that the fact you had a "poor experience" is any reason to accuse them of ageism, unless there is a part of the story you aren't telling?

They do ask for a name and address - you can opt out of marketing but the other reason is that they are very good with returns, especially if you have been fitted. I had a bra which developed a fault about 6 months after purchase - didn't have the receipt but they checked my records then happily replaced it. Similarly, they've recently had to recall a bra (not an own brand one so not their fault) due to a manufacturing error so they contacted every customer who had bought it either online or in store and asked them to return for a refund.

JL were awful for me. Tried to put me in a 32 back. I am a size 16 ffs - not been a 32 since I was about 14! Plus I quite like being able to breathe. Sorted myself out in the end.

I don't want their marketing missives I just wanted decent service. None given.

I would go to Bravissimo for the fitting but by all means try buying bras in your new size in JL because they might be cheaper.

What size do you think you might be? I'm a 30C so for me bravissimo wouldn't be much use but I do have smaller breasts than most people

Fauxlivia, it's perfectly possible to be a 32 and a size 16. I'm a 30 and on the 14/16 borderline.

It might be possible but I couldn't do it up without cutting off my circulation! So clearly something wasn't right in their measurements.

Also possible, JL are variable at best! Just pointing it out as we get a lot of people who we help with bra fitting who've partially been wearing the wrong size because "I'm a 16, I couldn't be less than a 36 back" or similar. Whereas because your dress size is dictated by your largest body part it's totally possible to be a relatively small band size and a bigger dress size.

The other reason they collect your personal details is for their reward scheme - buy ten bras, get one free. Yesterday I went in for a strapless bra but didn't have time to try on. They looked at my shopping history and sizes and recommended one for me which fits perfectly. I opt out of their marketing materials. No problem.

Can't comment on JL but Bravissimo are fab. I went last Saturday wth an idea of my size and bought a couple of bras. However, after wearing one for a day it was sooo painful. It dug in on my breastbone. Rang Bravissimo and they recommended going back for a proper fitting. I wore the other bra for a couple of days and thought it was fine but took that one back as well yesterday to check and the fitter said the cups were too big and exchanged it and they exchanged the first bra for a different style.
The fitter also brought me loads to try on and ones I wouldn't have considered myself. She stood in with me and watched me try on every one to make sure they were a good fit. I finally have bras that fit and are comfortable and supportive.

I've always thought I varied between 36/38 c/d but when I tried to bra guru self measure thimgumibob, I work out to be 36 band & 42 chest (when measuring bending over) which I think equates to a DD or E cup. There's every possibility I was measuring wrong, so wanted to get a professional opinion. Assuming Bravissimo will be ok for my potential size?!

Who knew getting an over the shoulder boulder holder could be so hard

Bravissimo goes from a D cup which is roughly a 4" difference so you'll be fine. MEasurements would be roughly a 36E but it's only a starting point.