Where to buy bras?

[Goatinthegarden]

I always thought M&S was a pretty safe bet for lingerie. I have some really pretty, well-made bras I bought just before Covid for about £30 each. Like many people, I spent most of covid in casual/sports gear, so haven’t really bought any nicer underwear for a while.

So I went into M&S yesterday expecting to get some decent bras, but it has changed so much. It was piled high with cheap packs of three bras for £20. The higher end lines were very limited and looked pretty naff.

I’m a B cup, so places like Bravissimo are no good for me. I’m not sure where to shop for bras now. Has anyone got any recommendations? I want some good quality T-shirt bras in plain colours and something a bit prettier.

I don’t think you need to spend a lot to get decent bras anymore. I say that as someone who only used to shop in Bravissimo but now I find Primark ones for £5 each (I’m a 34F) just as good…! There’s also Asos, next, h and m have some nice ones.

I just got myself a few new bras from Monki and really happy with the style and fit. I'm a C cup.

M&S is a hopeless place for bras who notoriously measure people wrongly.

If you haven't been measured since pre-Covid maybe time to check?

www.booborbust.com

That website recommends a 30E! I cannot believe that. I wear a 34B and the reason I’m buying new bras is that that seems too large now (I’ve lost weight).

Not surprised TBH. When I first got measured properly I walked in a 36B and walked out a 34F. The change was dramatic. I've been a lot of sizes since then!

B is a rare cup size, M&S persist with the 'add 4' to the back measurement which has been out of date for years - elastic is not new!

If you have lost weight you are v unlikely to be a 34 back. Most of the support should come from the back and not much from the straps. So your bra seems too large because the back is too big, an E cup on a 30 back is actually not going to be a big cup. An E cup on a 30 back is not the same size as an E on a 34 back.

I'd suggest going to a Bravissimo or independent bra shop and seeing how you get on.

I used to get all my bras from M&S, then one day I needed an emergency new bra to go with an outfit (wire popped out of old one!) so I went to Tesco.... and discovered their bras fit me perfectly and give good support! I'm a 36DD so I was very surprised at how good their bras are and even better they are cheap!

What dress size are you? A decent fitting bra should have a band size of your dress size plus 20. I'm between a 14 and 16 and am either a 34HH or 36H depending on the bra.

I recommend Boob or Bust as well. I used their calculator, went to an independent lingerie shop and they agreed with the size. They did it by eye as well, no tape measures.

Maybe time i changed from m&s too.
I constantly wear bra expanders.

If you are wearing a bra expander and an M&S bra, my guess would be cup too small. Probably very very much too small.

www.booborbust.com/oh-marks-and-spencer-where-did-it-go-so-wrong/

It’s worth getting measured by Boobor bust.
I went into bravissimo wearing a 34B and came out in a 30F. So much more support and much more comfortable.

Sainsbury’s! Pack of 2 T-shirt bras for about £15, I’ve always been really impressed with their bras.
I would say that given you’ve been buying bras from M&S a measure from an independent shop might be a good move though as M&S aren’t known for a brilliant fit (used to work there.)

I go to my local independent department store. They have a really good range to choose from and fitters who know their stuff. I was amazed when I discovered it.

Try the 30E in different styles and a couple of sizes up/ down before dismissing it. My bra size is not what I though it was for many years and although boob or bust quite an annoying group imo, I started with their guide and then zeroed in on my perfect size through trying a bunch of bras in bravissimo and late lamented Debenhams.

I find bras absolutely horrendous and use sports bras. SO much mor a support and comfort for me. HNM do lovely ones which are low rise and very comfy with thin straps ☺️

I haven't worn a proper bra for years and have no idea what size I am.
I like the pull on crop top ones, you get some with pretty detailing and moulded cups.

John Lewis have good bra fitters. I use Bravissimo for me, but dd isn’t in their size range and John Lewis have been great for her. It’s worth booking a slot with a fitter, and then you get plenty of individual attention and someone to run back and forth getting different sizes and styles to try.

I don't think boob or bust works well for smaller sizes. I also always ignore all this stuff about a tighter back. I don't give a stuff if I don't have 'enough support' with the theoretical risk of getting a bit droopy! Comfort wins out. Who wants to feel like they're in a cage!
There is absolutely no consistency within brands on sizing, or even within brands. I'm afraid that there's nothing like trying on and trial and error. Next can be a good shout.

Boux Avenue is good, if it still exists!

Boob or bust was great for me, until dc2 when I lost all the volume from the top of my boobs. Boob or bust has me at a 26F but if I wear that they fit at the bottom but literally could fit whole footballs in the top of the cups. I've tried half cup, balconette, nothing works. So I had to ditch boob or bust and go back to 34 D which fits better all round.

After watching a documentary where they showed £40 bras being manufactured on the same lines as the £5 George ones I tend to opt for the latter now.

Boob or bust is a starting point but not the end point,or you wouldn't need fitters.

Different brands, different styles, different shapes of boob all end up with you wanting a personal fit.

Sadly my boobs are not the same shape now as when I was 18😂

Boob or bust has me at a 26F but if I wear that they fit at the bottom but literally could fit whole footballs in the top of the cups. I've tried half cup, balconette, nothing works. So I had to ditch boob or bust and go back to 34 D which fits better all round.

Interesting, as the cup volume of 34D is the same as 26FF, so a cup size larger than the whole football fitting bra.

My friend was wearing one of those 3 for £20 ones last night and raving about them. She's binned all her other bras and is going to buy a few more packs!
I'm tempted, but cheap bras usually don't fit me and I'm stuck with very few expensive ones instead, but I'm willing to go and try them on and see.