M&S Bra sizing- is it me or them?

[AutumnGlows]

I just don't get it, or it's changed over the years.

The bands feel far too small for the sizing.

I used to buy a 34 band , B cup, (going back years) and then I did 'bra intervention' and realised I was really a 30 band,D cup. Sometimes C cup.

That worked for a while then the bands started feeling tighter (recent purchases.)

I have measured myself today. 29 inch under bust, 30 inches with a bit of 'give'.

But the M&S 32 bands I have are very uncomfortable. I measured them - they are 24 unstretched. That means they have to stretch a full 6- 8 inches to fasten.

On their website M&S say 'add 4 inches' to your under band measurement. We were all told years ago this was wrong- but is it something now that is unique to M&S to get the right size?

M&S are generally just really inconsistent. I think their smaller sized bands are often smaller than other companies, but their 34/36 etc are normal.

I wondered if they are using the add 4 inch method. I haven’t worn a bra in years but pre children was a 28 back. With ribs expanding I’m more 30 tight and 32 loose. I couldn’t get one of their 32 near me and all the different ranges the sizing was completely different. I gave up.

@Three0fivepointfour

I wondered if they are using the add 4 inch method. I haven’t worn a bra in years but pre children was a 28 back. With ribs expanding I’m more 30 tight and 32 loose. I couldn’t get one of their 32 near me and all the different ranges the sizing was completely different. I gave up.

Glad it's not just me!

I keep measuring in case I've grown and no, still 29" and 30 for a looser fit. So why are the 32s tight???

They are pretty hopeless. Their website has a 'measure yourself' link but it doesn't even work- just takes you to booking an online or video appt.

I end up ordering around 5 sizes and am lucky if one fits.

The other thing I hate is that the if you buy a D cup, they often go up to a much wider band and 3 hooks to fasten. Yet if you are a small back, like me, and only a C or D cup, you don't need all that scaffolding, especially if you are short waisted as well.

It's definitely them! You could try Bravissimo - I find their bra fitters really good. I've also seen Boob or bust recommended on here but not tried them personally

Definitely them!
I measure 28 too and wear a 28E Panache Cleo bra. I tried some on in M&S but I don’t think there was a single 28E in the whole shop so went with a 30 and a 32 as they were so tight but then the cups were too far apart. Like they were pretty much in my arm pits!!
I’ve given up on “proper” bras most days and wear some awesome padded bralettes from TKmaxx.

M&S bras are awful and don't fit anyone I've ever spoken to. Look elsewhere!

Also have a look at A Bra That Fits website or Instagram, I found them v helpful re brands and sizing

I measure the same as you, 30 under and wear 34 d to dd in marks, I also have a john lewis bra in a 34 dd and a 32e but the 32 is still really tight.

Boob or bust online calculator is spot on

Boob or bust doesn't work for me,

Thanks all!

The thing is it's not me that's measuring myself wrongly, I've done the A Bra that Fits etc etc and it always comes out as I'm a 30D/ 30DD/ 32C/D depending on the style.

The problem is the blinking bras don't match my measurements.

How on earth is a 24 band ( measuring IT!) going to stretch 6 or 8 inches and not feel like a straightjacket??

It's almost like reverse vanity sizing on bras- putting us in bigger sizes than we are.

If I go up to a 34 band the cups are way too far apart and the straps are always falling off as I've narrow shoulders.

They're just shit bras. HTH!

I’ve no idea why I even bothered with M&S bras anyway, in my younger days I knew about bras and I knew they were shit.

I’ve been out of the bra game for years but with a teenage daughter I thought I’d better try and find some inexpensive bras. I can’t keep forking out on bras and as she’s probably a 26 or 28 c/D/DD, we won’t know till we try some and that’s difficult. I thought I’d get a gauge on M&S by me trying them and I’d work backwards to her. Now I know it’s not me that’s the issue I’ve sacked off M&S once more. Such a shame as they’ve started to do small backsides but with big cups.

Why do M&S manage to get things so wrong so often?

They are just shit. Even knowing your size and knowing what to check for in terms of band test, whether to adjust band or cup if it's not fitting right in a particular place, I cannot get a good fit from an M&S bra. I'm a 30DD ish.

Adore my Wonderbras though ❤️

*backs rather than backsides.

It's them. I had the same issue during the height of covid and bought from m&s as it was one of the only retailers locally selling bras you could see.

I'd lost weight and I have weird sensory issues about bras so hate ordering them online

I bought a 32c as going by my measurements it was the correct fit. It was 22 inches when I measured it at home

I took it back and suddenly the bras had been moved to "behind the scenes" and I was actually sternly told off by the shop assistant for buying a bra meant for teenagers, even though there was no branding, wording or anything on the bra that hinted that it was a teen style.
She then insisted I was a size 30a, I haven't been an a cup since my teens so I tried to argue and get her to bring me a bigger bra not a smaller one, but then saw I was fighting with myself so left when she went to find the tiny bras.
Madness.

Luckily it was still lockdown so I lived in old sportsbras until tkmaxx reopened and I could choose some myself.

So weird @70sduvet . A bra that fits basically points out that almost all grown women aren't an A cup even if they're pretty flat chested simply because of the way women are. A 30A would really be a teen size I would have thought, in general. Bra fitters are a weird breed aren't they. I've never had a good experience with one.

Only got one M&S bra and it’s the same size as normal, the band of the one I have is more stretchy than panache, freya etc

I'm pretty thin and small chested and have totally given up trying to find bras that fit. If the band is right, the cups are far too close together and the straps are never long enough.

I buy Gilly Hicks bralettes from Hollister. They are comfy and flattering and I don't want to rip them off after a few hours. I'd really recommend them!