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Original poster

Rigby & Peller - Step inside who has been...

32 replies

Flamesparrow · 20/03/2007 07:59

Saved money.

Stopped breastfeeding.

Easter is the trip I have wanted for years

Do you have to book a fitting or just walk in?

What happens?

Is there a better day to go?

OP posts:
WaynettaSlob · 20/03/2007 08:30

I went there for my wedding lingerie and it was lovely....however I can't remember whether I walked in or had booked an appointment (it was my ULTIMATE shopping day. I was buying pressies for bridesmaids too, so came home laden with bags fro Rigby and Peller, Tiffany, and lots of other yummy places!!!)
I've had a look on their website and you can either book or walk in - I'd book if I was you. Details are here
Enjoy.

quokka · 20/03/2007 08:33

I've always walked in but sometimes you do have to wait a while. I tend to go during the week, before lunchtime if I'm in a hurry. I wish I had lots of money so I could buy all my stuff from there

brimfull · 20/03/2007 08:33

very

Original poster
Flamesparrow · 20/03/2007 08:36

Oh you star - hunted that site for 15 mins trying to find something like that

OP posts:
milge · 20/03/2007 08:37

I would recommend going early to Conduit Street - imho, its less busy than the Hans Road store- a little bit off the shopping trail. I am large of nork and find that life is so much better with appropriate hoisting! I took my dh once and he sat, terrified, on the plush red velvet benches. Other men took a more, active role in the choice of underwear.
I don't mind paying £70 for a bra, but I do draw the line at £30 for a pair of knickers.

Original poster
Flamesparrow · 20/03/2007 08:38

I have been saving since about this time last year, and can afford about 2 bras

OP posts:
CantSlimWontSlim · 20/03/2007 08:52

Their bras are quite nice, but they are snooty in the extreme in store. Far better to go to a fab bra shop in Bishops Stortford called Carols, where as well as R&P bras, they stock lots of others, including Prima Donna, which are actually more supportive (and equally as expensive!) for those large of nork than R&P.

CantSlimWontSlim · 20/03/2007 08:53

Actually, do you know what size you need flame? Just wondering if I have any R&P that might fit you from when I was thinner but still big norked!

Lio · 20/03/2007 09:00

For me it wasn't the thing about them having nice underwear, it was more that they didn't bat an eyelid over my exemplary norkage (although the assistant did have to back up slightly to fit in the view ), and they had industrial size bras in stock.

frogs · 20/03/2007 09:08

Don't go on a Saturday. Go during the week, and earlyish. I think the appointment thing is only an issue during v. busy times.

I don't find them snooty, particularly, though the ambience is quite upmarket boudoiry, which might be offputting if you're selfconscious and shy. It is so worth it, though. The difference between a bra that sort of fits and a bra that really fits is amazing. John Lewis have good bra-fitters too, but it's by no means the same kind of experience.

And expect to come away with a completely different size than you'd ever assumed you were -- usually a couple of sizes down around the rib cage and a couple of cup sizes up in the bust.

Pruni · 20/03/2007 09:11

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Flamesparrow · 20/03/2007 09:29

I have no idea what size I am CSWS - hence the going for a fitting

I have heard so much good stuff, I want to go somewhere I feel confident the staff know what they are doing - not like everywhere else that comes at me with a tape measure (inc john lewis), wanders off for my 36Bs, and then only bother to look at my norks when they realise that a nipple isn't gonna fit in the ones they have!

OP posts:
frogs · 20/03/2007 12:32

Pruni, it is worth it. It so is. And you'll probably find you're not a 36A after all. Try it, just once, and then come back and tell us it was a waste of time/money.

frogs · 20/03/2007 12:34

Oh, and my mum went in a 36A and came out a 32C or something. She's converted. Just do it.

foxinsocks · 20/03/2007 12:39

aww pruni, don't feel that just because your norks are not of gargantuan proportions that they don't deserve attention

I'm not large of nork at all and was quite surprised (re size) when I last went for a fitting (haven't been for ages)

inthepink · 20/03/2007 12:40

Do you have to purchase a bra or can you just go to be measured??

frogs · 20/03/2007 12:50

Inthpink, R&P's unique selling point is that they don't measure. They just size up your norks by giving them a long hard stare, then disappear for 5 mins and come back with a range of bras for you to try. They repeat the process until they have found the perfect fit for you.

Because all bras fit slightly differently, the measurement alone is not really that much help. And because their salesladies know all there is to be knowed about the shape of the various makes, you waste far less time trying on things that are clearly never going to work for your shape.

Whoooosh · 20/03/2007 12:56

Iw as terrified when I went-I went early one Saturday morning to the one in Brent Cross-just felt a little less intimidating.
They were wonderful-didn't put a tape measure anywhere near me.

Went in a 40 B and came out a 36DD and whilst I spent £300-was a damn sight cheaper than surgery and with my clothes on the effect is just the same.

Can't rate them highly enough.

franke · 20/03/2007 12:59

Another vote for R&P here. I wouldn't say they're snooty, rather efficient and professional, possibly slightly humourless . But that pales into insignificance when you come away with a bra that fits you for the first time in your life. I got my first bra from them 4 years ago after I finished bf dd - it was expensive but I still wear it today.

NappyChange · 20/03/2007 13:30

Before I got pregnant I used to shop at R&P Conduit St for my bras. Towards the middle of last year you did have to make an appt. just because customers used to moan about the waiting time which can be long - bring a magazine. I found the staff at Conduit Street lovely, never snooty and they didn't bat an eyelid with my far from perfect boobies and belly. If you are in the area, can I also strongly recommend Fenwicks in Bond Street. The measurers there are great, in fact, I found one to be even better than R&P and there is a larger choice too. I find browsing at R&P a bit tricky as their bras are tucked away in drawers, not the same problem at Fenwicks. When I finish breastfeeding in the Summer I will treat myself and will go to Fenwicks for some built in scaffolding brassieres.

pirategirl · 20/03/2007 14:13

HI,
I used to work there, it can be a long wait, esp at weekends, but they r tiny specialised shops and worth it to get the right size.

From there you can always buy elsewhere, as R + p bras are sold in other stores.

made to measure bras are thier speciality, but they have plenty of their bras in the shop, and lots of other brands too.

I loved working there, a real sense of boob commaradarie.

USAUKMum · 20/03/2007 14:41

I am v. [enby] Flamesparrow !! I love R&P. I also go to the Conduit St. one, but have gone on a Sat. as close to opening time as poss. and never had to wait long. My savior when my cousing put me in a backless, strapless dress for her wedding -- the only ones that had a suitable bra for my 36G/34GG norks!

Not at all snooty, and freakily competent how they just look and then pull out these bras that fit!

USAUKMum · 20/03/2007 14:41

should be

CantSlimWontSlim · 20/03/2007 14:52

Sounds like I must have caught them on a bad day then, as no-one else has found them snooty. I didn't stay for a fitting, as I found the atmosphere rather offputting from the outset (why did they need to have a bouncer on the door ffs?), but maybe they would have warmed up if I had.

Swizzler · 20/03/2007 15:24

If you make an appointment, they will see you on time (v rare in my experience). The service is fab and the shop is lovely and cosy. I get the Prima Donna bras as they provide great support - just waiting to stop bfing so I can get some more! They were about £50 each IIRC. Agree about the knickers though - how much?!

You can make an appointment by ringing the shop - only been to the Conduit St store so can't answer for any of the others.

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