First bra fitting, Central London

[OrangeSyringe]

Any ideas of decent places to go for a first bra fitting for a teen? We aren’t in a rush and can wait until things are better Covid wise.

I think she’s probably a 28D or DD. It would need to be somewhere that sticks this size. Not M&S because their bras and bra fitting make me angry. Or should I suck up my hate and try some of the Angel bras?

I don’t think Rigby and Peller would work as they don’t tend to go that low in back and cup, same for Bravissimo. Has anyone had any luck with John Lewis Oxford Curcus? Or Selfridges?

I could try myself but that means I’ve got to buy lots of bras to try on at home. I did that with Royce I think it was and none of them fit.

She wants soft cup as she prefers Holister bralets or crop tops. Molke didn’t work out although I had high hopes. ( I’ve got an unworn xs in the cupboard.)

Also…does it matter if she doesn’t wear a bra and continues to wear crop tops? She’s got a pull on sports bra for PE.

Might be worth checking with Bravissimo - I’m pretty sure they start at a 28 band.

I’ll give them a call but they had no 28d on their website. I assumed it’s too small.

Try the Pink range at Victoria's Secret, on New Bond Street. They definitely have 30s and I think they have 28s.

Bralettes are sized XS, S etc which is annoying, but she could always try on an armful

If you look online, make sure you're looking at the Pink part of the website

Check out Freya stockists - they do small backs and bigger cups, I love their lightly padded t-shirt type bras (the Deco range, especially).
I miss our local Debenhams, they had a brilliant fitter.

Bravissimo definitely do some 28 backs, though possibly not in D/DD as well because their specialty is larger boobs and a D isn't that big when combined with a small back size. However, if you call ahead and find they can help they would be great for a teen as they do lots of fun, 'young' styles and colours.

Bravissimo also do a lot of bralettes and soft cups now.

No recommendations I'm afraid OP, but with that cup size I'd be v cautious about wearing a crop top or similar for long. Boobs drop quickly if not properly supported.

Thanks all.

Il gâta what I’m concerned about Elbie . She started “needing” a bra during the first lockdown, and I bought her some asda ones which are actually brilliant. But who wanted to start wearing a bra in lockdown? Everyone was going free as far as I could tell. I think if she got a decent fit she might wear them.

I hadn’t thought of Victorias Secret so thanks, I walked past one of their shops on Oxford St nearer Tot Crt Road. I guess we do a circuit of that, JL and Bravissimo.

Bravissimo is my go to for bras, their service is always too notch. Debenhams were great when I went. Fenwick’s is a bit more pricey but they are worth it.
M&S are terrible, they always give you a back size one bigger than you need.

Years ago I loved a Freya bra too. I’ve got her one of those Deco Freya bras and while it technically is the right size it doesn’t fit. So I guess it doesn’t fit! That’s why I need an expert. Anyhow, she hates it, says it feels like it’s wearing her.

Fenwicks! Of course. I love Fenwicks. Worth a phone call to see if they can help.

Was it Debenhams on Oxford Street that you went to? They’re hanging on in there for now.

John Lewis until she hits a DD and can use Bravissimo. They were excellent for my dd (though someone needs to start making 26 bands, and M&S need to get their sodding act together as their whole Angel range would be wonderful if they went small enough in the back and actually had them in stock to try).

That’s the thing ShortDaze, she might actually be a 26 but I didn’t think I’d get that!

Right, JL and maybe Fenwicks if she can bear it as I love

Totally agree M&S measuring is bonkers BUT my DD was so well treated there for her first bra fitting. The lady was amazing with her and she loves the Angel bras.

I just said I wasn't convinced by the band size they suggested and she happily fitted her in a smaller size that was perfect.

I go to bravissimo but my DD would be too small in the cup for there.

JL has one (just one) bra in a 28B that fit dd when she measured 26C, plus a couple of branded crop tops in XS and S, so hopefully that’ll work. It really annoys me the the specific teen range in M&S doesn’t do a 26 at least, it’s pretty standard for a young teen. Dd is slim but on something like 40th centile, so pretty average for her age.

Im not sure if I’ll get anything that’ll fit. In my young days I was a 28GG plus and this was pre Bravissimo. I’ve sobbed in so many lingerie changing rooms. I spent my first wage post degree on two bras from Rigby and Peller that had to be altered for me.

I tried some M&S bras on a few months ago just ti see what they were like these days. Have they changed their fit? I measure 30 round the back tight and 32 breathing out and their 30 and32 wouldn’t go near me. I gave up then as they had do few sizes in stock.

I’m clueless now as I’ve not worn a bra in more than a decade for health reasons. I just remember the trauma. That’s another reason I’ve been putting off the trip.

DD may be 28D or 26DD but she is petite round the back. Very tall and slim.

Pour moi. They are online and have stores. Fitted my teen into a 28 F. Service was excellent.

Selfridges has a good fitting service

Boux Avenue has some in that size (I think) don’t know what their fitters are like.

Also Design Also in Islington would be worth a call.

I’d like her to be fitted at some point but it great to know there are now some places I can get those sort of sizes.

Design Also is a great call. I live an independent shop, just what I need. Never heard of it and it’s so near us

Good to know about Selfridges too.

I think, having done it recently, that the very small back and cup size bras come up smaller than the size they say, to cater for this market. But they don’t make it easy.

We had a good experience at JL, the fitter was lovely, it’s just there wasn’t much choice but luckily what they did have fitted. I wear a 28GG, so I can’t wait until we can just do a joint trip to Bravissimo and know they will stock our sizes.

Thanks so much Short.

I wish sizes were standardised!

DD doesn’t particularly want to get fitted so I’m going to have to sell it to her a bit. JL for cheeses scones perhaps. I’m expecting to be little if any choice. It would be nice to have it non wired but I’m not sure if that’s being optimistic.

Yes, waiting till things are a bit less risky here too.

I like John Lewis's fitting service, and they do a specific "first bra" service which reassures you that they're happy to measure over T shirts and have a mum in with you, but Oxford Street doesn't appear to have any pre-bookable appointments on the website. IME you can go in and book a session for later the same day, but that may not be available during the sales.

I'd suggest measuring using the boob or bust method then you will have a good idea of size so you can ignore anywhere that try to fit her into what they have in stock! If you go on the boob or bust Facebook page and search for teen bras you'll find lots of other people looking for similar advice and hopefully be able to use some of the advice. Boux avenue is quite often suggested for teens, their lounge bra in particular seems popular, but their fitting is a bit hit or miss. Bravissimo might end up not having the right cup size, but would definitely give good advice, and if she tries one in a 28dd and it's a bit too big in the cup you know that you're looking for 28d and could maybe order online.

Great. I’ll do BoB on her to get an idea, good idea.

I’ll pop into JL and ask if I can’t see anything on the website.

And my friend suggested Boux Avenue but I’d not heard of them. Useful to have a name of a product.

Cheers.

Selfridges' fitting service much better than JL in my experience - good luck!