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Original poster

Bravissimo Horror, had to get it off my chest

80 replies

Hetaera · 05/01/2018 14:43

Today was my first visit to a new-ish Bravissimo and I wanted to share it as I am now blaming myself for being over sensitive.

The experience has left me feeing really horrid and upset.

The lady fitting me seemed annoyed I had not come wearing a proper bra (this was why I was bra shopping!). She absolutely insisted that I was a 36D or a 36DD if I was "lucky" in some styles. I was put me in a series of uncomfortable bras which gave me breasts in my armpits and rolls of back fat. The back of the bra was also riding up very high, which was odd considering the way it was pinching my flesh.
I was given absolutely no privacy, it was very shocking. No time was given to put things on myself and I was continually told about my asymmetry. She even left the changing room door open on me whilst I was topless.
Obviously, I decided against a purchase. I went and had a cry afterwards.
I now have a lovely bra from M&S in a 34E (self-fitted as I'd had enough nudity for one day), which feels very comfortable.

Should I complain or am I just being silly? I have been fitted a fair few times so I am not prudish or weird about it,

OP posts:

MiddleClassProblem · 05/01/2018 16:54

grannytomine that’s how bravissimo fit though. They don’t measure you they just know the products really well and know where to start by looking at you what size you might be in the bras they have.

TittyGolightly · 05/01/2018 16:56

That’s an anomaly. There are hundreds of fantastic bra fitters. The OP was unlucky.

katmarie · 05/01/2018 16:59

I would complain definitely. Bravissimo stakes it's reputation on bras and clothes which fit well. This isn't the experience you should have had.

My worst fitting experience was at a Victoria's Secret, I wasn't actually looking to buy a bra, my friend was, but I agreed to get fitted with her because she was nervous. The woman who did it whipped her tape measure out, measured me at lightening speed over my clothes and announced me to be a 38 C. I laughed in her face.

On the same shopping trip I went to Boux avenue to buy a bikini and the incredibly kind patient woman there fitted me and brought me loads of different things to try, different cup shapes and styles, and neck lines, left me to try them on and came back to check the fit when I was ready, and I eventually left with the best bikini I have ever owned, (seriously I felt like a Bond girl wearing it, never have I had so much confidence wearing so little!) in a 36 G.

Original poster

Hetaera · 05/01/2018 16:59

Thank you for reassuring me that I am not being over sensitive. I shall contact them and leave some anonymous feedback. There is no way in the world I will go back in there again.

OP posts:

tellitlikeitispls · 05/01/2018 17:05

They will definitely want to know. They routinely employ secret shoppers to find out this kind of stuff.

Original poster

Hetaera · 05/01/2018 17:07

Incidentally, she made me remove my bra so that she could "see" what size I was.

OP posts:

treaclesoda · 05/01/2018 17:13

Definitely complain! Bravissimo are usually very good but any large company is going to have some crap staff unfortunately.

If someone tried to pressurise me to remove my bra in front of them I think I'd be reporting them to the police as well. Surely forcing someone to undress against their will is illegal. Actually, it's probably not. Wish it was though.

HildaZelda · 05/01/2018 17:20

The best fitting (as such) I ever had was in an independent shop near me, and I didn't even go to be fitted! My friend was getting married and went to buy underwear. Her sister who was a bridesmaid was being fitted too and I just happened to be with them on the day. The lady did measure them but before she did she just looked at them and guessed size. I wasn't measured but she just took one quick look at me, fully clothes (fitted top) and said 32B. She was spot on! She got both the others right too.

grannytomine · 05/01/2018 17:24

There are hundreds of fantastic bra fitters. Yes they measure you to get an idea of size then get a selection of bras that you try on and select one that fits. If you want to pay for that fine but no better than measuring yourself and getting a selection of bras to try on.

Nomoretears56 · 05/01/2018 17:30

My last bra fitting was at Bravissimo, the girl was really good although I wasn't measured, she just noted the size of bra I already had on, told me it was too big around my back, I went in a 38D and came out a 36F, nothing was too much trouble, I must have tried on 6 or 7 bras before I was happy. I'd definitely complain to their head office and not anonymously, I think they'd work very hard to resolve this to your satisfaction.

Loonoonow · 05/01/2018 17:30

I would complain and not anonymously. Someone that awful deserves to be held to account. I am a huge fan of Bravissimo and have always found the fitters to be very helpful, discreet and professional.

TittyGolightly · 05/01/2018 17:31

I don’t know how on Earth you could accurately measure anything bigger than a D with a tape measure. Been a bravissimo girl for 15 years and never let down.

MiddleClassProblem · 05/01/2018 17:36

You don’t pay for a bra fitting anywhere I’ve ever been... didn’t realise anywhere did that

grannytomine · 05/01/2018 17:38

You don't pay directly but normally the shops that offer a proper fitting service are at the more expensive end of the market. You can get good bras alot cheaper.

If people want to do it fair enough, I could mow the lawn but I pay a man to do it because I don't want to, but I don't pretend it makes any difference to the grass.

NeverUseThisName · 05/01/2018 17:51

I've just come home from a Bravissimo trip, so happy with the bras I bought that I left the shop wearing one of them. The fitter was courteous and pleasant. She must have brought me 20 or 30 bras over the 45mins or so that I was in the cubicle. She knocked every single time. When she touched me she first asked permission and she was delicate and careful.

This was a typical visit for me. I have never had anything other than courteous service from Bravissimo.

Please do complain, because that should absolutely not have happened. It is, in fact, so bizarre, that I can't help wondering whether she was an impostor. Some weirdo who pretended to be a bra fitter.

SandSnakeofDorne · 05/01/2018 17:52

@grannytomine where are these cheap bras in the large cup sizes in which bravissimo specialise? I don’t know of any decent cheap bras in an H cup.

rubberducker · 05/01/2018 17:53

I would def complain about your experience OP.

OneMoreOne · 05/01/2018 18:04

I actually think they would welcome the feedback. I recently was fitted, thought they were ok but quickly over the next couple of days realised they pinched all over. Was worried about "complaining" but the same person helped me and was very kind and didn't mind at all, just interested in getting me the right thing.

They were pleased I'd gone back so they could try to fix it, I think you may have been unlucky with this fitter - and they need to know so that others don't have the same experience.

On the privacy front, I am quite open when in the fitting room, as I just find it easier to whip things on and off. They've seen it all before. But know not everyone feels the same.

Jerseysilkvelour · 05/01/2018 18:07

Definitely complain, this is so far from any experience I've had in bravissimo. Have always had privacy respected, courteous service and never had to take off my bra so they could "see what size"! They at least in part stake their reputation on their fitting and methods, so would appreciate the feedback.

NoBallsHere · 05/01/2018 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MiddleClassProblem · 05/01/2018 18:18

I’m not sure you make much sense when you’re recommending m&s bras which also offer the fit service free if you want it. You don’t even need to buy a bra to get it.

Anyway, in my experience Bravissimo was far better than m&s

grannytomine · 05/01/2018 18:31

MiddleClassProblem, you aren't getting properly trained fitters in m&s. Try asking them to measure you up for a custom made corset or bra. I was talking about properly trained fitters.

And they don't use tape measures in bravissimo - they do fit you to the bra. Last time I went in I bought 2 everyday bras and a sports bra, they all ended up being different sizes because they are different brands/styles, but all fit me perfectly. You always have to go with the bra because they all vary, you can have a perfect fit in a 36b in one make/style and another won't fit at all.

grannytomine · 05/01/2018 18:34

By the way M&S do bras up to a K cup, not all styles but they do them.

ScreamingValenta · 05/01/2018 18:36

"Lucky" to be a bigger cup size? That would really, really annoy me.

treaclesoda · 05/01/2018 18:37

By the way M&S do bras up to a K cup, not all styles but they do them.

But they're two or three sizes smaller than other K cups because they don't do FF, GG or HH.

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