have you ever had a bra fitted in one of those shops that dont use a mesure tape

[pud1]

went to have a fiiting today in a shop that just look at you and tell you your size. dont know if its a chain of shops and cant remember what it was called but they told me i was a 32G and i have been wearing 36e. must admit the bra i tried on really lifted them but i didnt buy. it felt really tight round the back but they said that it should feel tight.
have you ever been to one of these shops and have you stuck to the size you were given

Yep - they eyeballed me, said '32F, borderline FF' and they were right. I went for 32F in the end as I know bras stretch a bit. It did feel tight, especially as I went down from a 36 back as well but they were right. A bra should feel tight and you should only have it on the loosest hook when you buy it to allow for stretchage over time.

Yep, little local shop near my mum's. I was wearing 36, and she felt my ribcage and said 32. She was right.

Bravissimo don't use tape measures either.

Yup, I went to R&P and ended up a 32 (also previously a 36). Can't believe how loose bigger bras feel now

Yes - the same as you, was wearing 36E - actually a 32G. I cried when she told me. But bought the bra, and have had a better supported, less cumbersome, under-control chest ever since!
Definitely buy it. It will feel tight to start with, because you were wearing the wrong (too big) size before, you just need to get used to what the right size feels like.

And avoid M&S/most other high street shops in future, as even if they say they do those sizes, the quality/support is just not there. I really believe you get what you pay for in underwear - if it costs £4, don't be surprised when the wires come out and it goes grey in the wash...

IMHO, of course!

Yes Rigby and Peller here. Was wearing 36DD,am 34 F.
I look so much better with my boobs not hanging by my waist.

This is precisely why I've never been to one of those shops, I know you're supposed to be able to feel you're wearing a bra, but I would rather be comfortable than have red stinging lines around my rib cage every night, and that is what would happen if they told me I was 4 inches smaller than I am. IYSWIM.

Yes - Selfridges and it was amazing. The first time I had a bra that fitted comfortably.

yes, R&P just looked at me and got the size right and got me a great bra. Really lovely staff in there too.

I must save up and go again now I won't be having any more babies.

There was a photo of the Queen in the changing room too.

Tidey how do you know it would be 4 inches smaller?

I certainly don't have red lines round my ribcage, but my bra doesn't move on my back when I lift my arms any more! You may have the right back size but wrong cup size or just need a different brand. My boobs are the wrong shape for most Freya bras for example but that doesn't mean the size is wrong.

...not of her having her boobs measured I hasten to add

I've been fitted in Bravissimo and went from a 34d to 32E but I look so much better. It will feel tight but as the lady told me its the band that gives you the support not the straps (I find I don't have to tighten the shoulder straps as much and they don't slip off now)

I would never buy a bra from M&S now their fitters are rubbish (told me I was a 36b ffs)

BTW I am now converted to handwashing my bras (well after forking out £25+ per bra I want to get as much wear as possible out of them!)

well i am sold then. i must admit my boobs looked fab when i put a top on over the bra i tried on. am going to send for the bravisimo book. can anyone recomend any other good retailers for larger cups and smaller backs as i have noticed that most g cup start at 34 in standard highstreet stores

It was an exaggeratey statement based on the number of posts I've seen on here and from people I know who've gone into Bravissimo or wherever a 38D and been told they're a 32GG (for example.) I sometimes think I should get measured properly but then talk myself out of it because the change in sizes sounds frankly painful.

I am going to R & P in 2 weeks with dh (on my 50th!!!) so I am anticipating a few nice purchases (and the look on dh's face when he puts his PIN in will be memorable!)

pud1 - Debenhams do a decent range too (although I found the 30E fitted me better there).

Next do them also but never tried them...

"(and the look on dh's face when he puts his PIN in will be memorable!)"

So will the look on his face later when you put your new purchases on

tidey - do it. I was seriously considering a breast reduction because they were blimmin painful and basically ruining my life (I was 19 at the time and feeling v self concious).

frakkinnuts - my boobs don't fit properly into Freya bras either - Panache/Masquerade are my faves, but I remember reading somewhere (maybe here) that depending on whether you are fuller underneath or above the nipples determines the brand... don't know if that's true or not?

I was measured properly when I was 19 and went from a 36 to a 32, felt slightly tight for a day but then never looked back - certainly no red marks.

I am always impressed at how they measure in Bravissimo! Panache are my favourite and I don't fit Freya well, either.

I think that's true - don't think I read it on here though. I'm now an Aubade girl all the way (DH doesn't actually know how much they cost be he is much more impressed with these than he was with Panache!)

Yes - Selfridges - amazing.

leia is a great shop.

really great serving girls, nice posh, warm changing rooms and really good range of sizes. nothing is too much trouble and they keep fetching different styles/shapes/sizes based on the fit/comfort and your commentsabout shape etc..

i am a 28h and always manage to find something nice to wear there where i have failed everywhere else on the high street...even places like house of fraser.

last time i was fitted in bravissimo...i bought a bra that was ok in the vchanging room, but was bloody awful once i started wearing it...spuds boiling over and all sorts it really should have gone back.

hth.

R & P were fabulous.I've been wearing the 32F ( down from 36DD minimiser) ever since. Got 3 bra's and pair of knickers to go with poshest about 3 years ago and have looked after them and they are still lovely.Shape and support from R & P is amazing. I use Freya sports bra ( underwired ) for gym.

MooMin - yes, that is true. We obviously have different shaped boobs , as Freya look great on me, and I know I can reliably buy one in 32G every time and it will fit.

Am looking forward to a post-b/feeding underwear update....

Pud1 - I always go for Bravissimo. Their swimwear is good too. You can finally avoid that 8th circle of hell that is trying to find a bikini on the high street.

the woman at Bravissimo sized me completely accurate by briefly looking up from the counter and assessing me, fully clothed. amazing!

To answer the OP

Yes and have never looked back

Boobs now impressively hoisted up

Went to R&P with amazing fitters now tend to go to House Of Fraser, Debenhams or independent bra shop, all with good fitters

Still wearing more or less the same size as R&P recommended and tbh can tell now myself now if ok or not anyway

Once you know your real size and good brands that fit you well you can tend to pick them up cheaper than somewhere like R&P if you look around