M&S bra fittings will be ‘by eye’ instead of tape measure

[IwantToRetire]

Retailer denies that new hands-off approach is connected to row over transgender sales assistant

M&S said the decision brought it into line with others in the market, such as specialist bra firms Rigby and Peller, and Bravissimo. A spokesman said: “The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The company is adopting the policy after a successful trial in 23 stores. M&S launched its first bra 100 years ago and, in 1947, offered its first bra fittings to customers. Sales assistants were trained in measuring customers’ girdles, bras and corsets under customers’ coats.

Full story https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/04/marks-and-spencer-bra-fitters-told-to-use-eyes-not-tape/

and at https://archive.is/klXRO

😂 yes !

I think we are talking at cross purposes. The chest band measurement is the easy part. It is the cup size and shape which is less measurable and which varies with chest band width so needs more skill to assess. Less easily done with a tape measure and requires good knowledge of the different manufacturers and styles to suit. For example I have a small chest band which gives me a large cup size letter - but I don't fit full cup styles. Maybe seek out a "proper" fitting and you will get a better idea than if you have only had the tape measure version - the former is really superior!

In relation to measurements for anything (not just bras) there are always tolerances, so the quoted dimensions are usually "target" dimensions rather than absolute. There is an agreed +/- amount which is within tolerance so it would be very rare for a 32" to be exactly to the letter that dimension. You can see that in the variation between similar garments in the same shop, or between shops which all claim to be the same "size" but which in reality vary quite a bit

I think in the past it was a calculation based on the measurement. As you say, a conversion which is based on the measurement. However, I think it is now based on the measurement of torso/rib cage just below the bust. Maybe some outfitters do the original way. May differ from countries too as the Eur/Fr etc on labels.

The bust cup sizing is a problem like the sizing in clothes. Some manufacturers go up cup sizes at different rates. So, what would still be an A for one brand, will jump up to a B cup for another.

This is where standardisation would be good. But they don’t even do it properly for clothes.

I can see why a knowledgeable and experienced fitter can be useful, as she would know the differences between the brands. Still no from me to a bloke doing it for whatever his reasons are.

There are obviously many anecdotal experiences. The best fitting I had was by an assistant measuring me with a tape. Maybe her knowledge on what that converted to in different brands was why I got the best ever fitting bra.

Every bra is different so I kind of see why they would rather basically supervise you trying on a range and then see which individual bras fit best. You may be different sizes in different styles.

M&S have always been terrible at bra fitting. It’s likely they’re trained on an old measuring method that often results in a too large band and too small cup.

Oooh I like this!

I have not been to M&S for a fitting in a while as they make you book. I cannot imagine eyeballing a measurement. They have eyeballed to check the fit of one I am trying though.

I don’t think the transgender employee was in the fitting room were they? As such I can the policy as unrelated. I think they were just on the shop floor and based on my trip to M&S Marble Arch this week - men on the lingerie department shop floor seems standard policy!

DD 17 had a supposed fitting there a few weeks ago and the rather grumpy advisor declared that they also tend to go on the customers opinion on size too these days. No idea if that’s policy or she just really couldn’t be arsed.

So it does make you wonder why they are even bothering to offer a service at all …

Side note - I had never heard of Rigby and Peller before - thank you.

I went for a bra fitting at M&S after having lost weight (and five inches off my bust) and my bras being too big. The fitter measured me and told me I was exactly the same size I was already wearing!
They use the “measure the rib cage and add two inches (I believe) then work out the cup size by measuring across the fullest part and one inch per cup size, which I’ve read is very inaccurate.
I wouldn’t bother with a M&S bra fitting again.

Although I started the thread haven't really joined in as no M&S near us and gave up on bras for many of the reasons others have mentioned. And never been near (or heard of) some of the specialist shops.

I just get the stretchy ones that aren't sports bras and insert panels to enlarge the rib cage size - they all seem to think women's rib cages are about 20"! But then I dont have much that needs to be supported.

But do agree with earlier comment about standardising sizing.

But then that's the same problem with women's clothes. For me there can be 3 size different depending on which shop / supplier.

I've had 3 'measures' for bra fitting that worked well. The first was in Contessa many years ago. Looking for a new black bra in a 36A. Expert assistant said "you are not a 36A, you're a 32C, try this". This was looking at me with my jacket on. She was right. It fitted perfectly, and I couldn't quite believe it. The second was in John Lewis. An ex R&P lady. Used a tape measure. Perfect. The third was on mumsnet. I gave the measurements, and they gave the size which was considerably different to the 32C after having children. Again, perfect.
I feel that good experience, and knowing what you are talking about is key to a good fitting bra.

And yet size twelve trousers in two different brands can be different sizes.

Give over.

I will NEVER go to M&S for my bra fittings ever again.

Back when I went they didn’t do my size - 30FF - in store. They had some in that size I could buy online though. But I just wanted measuring properly so I could buy online.

Id recently lost weight and my 32G were slightly loose in the cup and riding up my back. I knew I needed a smaller back measurement

She came back into the changing room with a 32F and said ‘we don’t do 30FF, try this on’

Lo and behold it was still riding up my back on the tightest clip.

She was extremely put out by me not purchasing bras I didn’t feel fit. Refused to listen to my reason that I will purchase online. Still tried to force me to buy them. I don’t feel like I had a proper measure because she refused to accept the 32 was too big even on the tightest clip

They now ironically seem to have started doing my size - but still - never again!

The worst bra fittings I've had were at M&S and NCT with the add a few inches method. RP, Bravissimo and John Lewis were all by eye and recently at JL the lady went through all sorts of construction and cup sizes to find the best fit as there was gaping in lace whether she went up or down a cup size but not in moulded. Felt like an engineering solution in the end.

It's like the person in the school uniform shop who can look your child up and down, ask which school and come back 3 minutes later with two complete sets of uniform including PE kit which is in the correct size.

Does anyone know any good bra fitters in Newcastle upon Tyne or the North East? Thanks wims.

M&S fitted me as a 40H
i wear a 34KK….

I recall seeing women posting rave reviews about "Sadie The Bra Lady", who I thought was somewhere in the Teesside area but it says here that she has shops in Consett and Sunderland:

www.sadiethebralady.com/fittings.asp

I buy bras from M&S but never had a fitting, I am size 36, measure 35 under bust and C cup fits best so don't bother with a fitting, just try them on.

Thank you Bosky! I remember hearing about Sadie the Bra lady many years ago - I had no idea the shop was still going. I'm not far from Consett so I'll get in touch with them. Fab recommendation, thank you xx

I went to R&P twice, once in my twenties when they didn’t have a single bra in my size, and they sold me a bra that was ok ish in the cup but too big a band as that was all they had. Not entirely their fault, it was pre 30 bands being available, and long before 28s. Then I went when I was pregnant and 40, and I wanted a bra without wires. They again had nothing in my size but did find one (hideous, beige) bra that was close enough to wear. I haven’t gone back, the whole experience each time wasn’t great, the assistants were quite bossy and patronising, almost rude I felt.
In contrast the lady who fitted my then twelve year old dd for her first bra, in M&S, could not have been lovelier. Nothing had a small enough band, so she took the bras home and altered them to fit dd, just to be kind. She was an absolute angel !