Where can I buy a bra?

[GoldenGorilla]

Need new bras but would like to be fitted properly. By a woman. In a changing area that only has women in it.

Are there any actual shops I can go to? Or do I need to buy a hundred bras online and probably return 99 of them?

Bravissimo

I really liked Rigby and Peller. They don’t do that bullshit measuring. They do it by sight and get it right every time. Boob or bust is bollocks (yes granted it is better than M&S etc but still..)

@gunnersgold - bravissimo do allow men who claim to identify as women into their women’s changing rooms, so that’s a no from me.

@Feather12 - thank you, yes they don’t seem to have fallen yet, looks like I need to save up though!

Depending on where you live there's a great bra shop in Leeds - www.fittobust.co.uk

@generallyfailing - too far for me, thank you.

Measure yourself, by the proper 'bra intervention' method, and then just buy.

Asda bras are surprisingly good, and their returns are fine, so I'd start there.

Otherwise Rigby and Peller (not everything is expensive in there, but there isn't a cheap range either - it starts mid-price of branded ranges)

I was just about to come on to say measure yourself.

1. Use a tape measure, measure around your rib cage, just below your breasts. If you fall between two sizes (34, 36) take one of each but remember that the fabric will give over time.

2. Try different cup sizes, you should be able to have a good guess based on how they look. Check that the cups fit perfectly, also when you jump up and down. If you have any doubts, try a smaller/bigger cup size.

3. remember that a 34B cup is similar to a 32C cup.

4. some brands are sized differently. Be open to a bad fit in a size you “should” fit and try other sizes for a new brand.

That is what I am doing when I am taking my DD bra shopping today. We are going to M&S because of the prices (and quality) but if we see any creeps we will leave. And any male casting a single eye at my DD, I will write a long letter to the head of the department store. I have my phone with a camera and I will photograph them.

@Doubletoilandtrouble good idea to take a camera, hope the trip goes well. Awful you have to consider all this.

Though I pity the staff having to deal with this too, may I suggest that you ask if there are any men/transwomen in the changing rooms before entering. It alerts them to the concerns.

Filming things so you have a record is a good shout. I’m also planning to phone any branch before I visit to ask if there are any trans women working in that department (doubt they’ll tell me but I like to keep flagging the issues!).

@AnguaResurgam

Measure yourself, by the proper 'bra intervention' method, and then just buy.

Asda bras are surprisingly good, and their returns are fine, so I'd start there.

Otherwise Rigby and Peller (not everything is expensive in there, but there isn't a cheap range either - it starts mid-price of branded ranges)

Just checked Asda, they don't have any 30 C bras at all. When are supermarkets going to start making smaller back sizes?!

I always have good experience in Victoria secret. The dressing rooms are very private and individual with locks and good solid doors. The staff very respectful of privacy. If there was another person using the service at the same time, I wouldn't even know they were there.

M and S measured me as 36D when I was actually 30GG. So many years of misery could have ben avoided if I'd gone to John Lewis first! I recommend John Lewis fittings, not sure what their stance on TWAW is.

Well it's well worth being properly fitted by somebody who knows what they are doing @GoldenGorilla.

Maybe give us an idea of suitable locations so we can give you useful . There is a fantastic bra shop in Westerham Kent, called Entre Nous. But this is useless info if you don't live or travel to that area.

@dizzydizzydizzy Yeah you’re right I can’t really ask for recommendations but be coy about my location! South west England, so London, bath, Bristol are my Normal shopping places!

@ShineTogether - that’s interesting about Victoria’s Secret. Must admit I ruled them out years ago (they insisted their models had bmi of 18.5 which is clinically underweight, so insane) but maybe they’ve changed.

@ValancyRedfern - sadly John Lewis has fallen also.

I would go to a bravissimo and then leave if there are any men in there. Think that would make the staff better aware of the issue than just not going at all. I think it’s pretty unlikely there’d be any men in there, despite their policy - although I know it has happened, I’ve never come across it myself.

Rigby & Peller if you can get to London. The best fitting I ever have come across.

DD is still growing so we want cheaper bras for now. And I am pretty confident that we can do it ourselves as I can help her.

Have you tried Perfect Fit in Keynsham?
I shopped there many moons ago and they were pretty good

Just checked Asda, they don't have any 30 C bras at all. When are supermarkets going to start making smaller back sizes?!

This gives you a clue to the fact that the bra intervention method quoted above just doesn't work, at least for smaller sizes.
I'm a 29" underbust and not especially petite .... in fact I have quite a pronounced rib cage. But there's no way I can fit into anything less than a 32" 'back size' ... which makes it more like an old fashioned across the boob measurement.

This gives you a clue to the fact that the bra intervention method quoted above just doesn't work, at least for smaller sizes.
It does for me, a 30 back isn't too small on me at all, I start at the middle hooks with a new bra. I last measured at 29.5 underbust. A 32B doesn't fit nearly as well.

Works for me, too. I’ve never been above a 28 back except in pregnancy (and am a normal 10, not tiny / petite). It makes buying bras for my teen dd (who is genuinely petite) really, really hard.

Measuring works for me as well. I am 72 cm and use 70 around, on a the end hook initially, then moving hooks as the bands expands slightly from wear. A 75 is too big around, at least after some wear, and tends to move upwards on my back.

But I think that you cannot tell properly until you actually are wearing the bra. Some are just cut the wrong way for me and end up fitting badly even though they are the right size. If I bring 6 bras into the changing room (all my size) I am lucky if 2 fits properly.

@ValancyRedfern

M and S measured me as 36D when I was actually 30GG. So many years of misery could have ben avoided if I'd gone to John Lewis first! I recommend John Lewis fittings, not sure what their stance on TWAW is.

unisex changing rooms and men caught doing gross stuff in the underwear department changing rooms so they are a no no.

of course that doesnt stop you buying a load to try on at home and then taking the rest back and pestering them for a refund, if we all do that citing we will not use unisex changing rooms they will sit up and take notice because returns are a PITA for them too.

I emailed Bravissimo and didnt like the reply so I have not set foot in there since, which is a shame as my bra has a hole in it and I really need a new one but maybe I can go buy 3 or so of different designs and see which one fits best then take the others back and get a refund

@Talipesmum

I would go to a bravissimo and then leave if there are any men in there. Think that would make the staff better aware of the issue than just not going at all. I think it’s pretty unlikely there’d be any men in there, despite their policy - although I know it has happened, I’ve never come across it myself.

I am not bothered about men being in there, I am bothered about men going in there to put hidden cameras in the changing rooms

Yes, I'm a normal 10 by chest measurement too, not tiny. I often wear an 8 in stretchy tops as I'm an 8 waist (6 hips) but definitely need a 10 in jackets.

I find that supermarkets don't tend to have inclusive sizing.