Bra sizes, anyone?

I stopped going to bravissimo after the sales girl told me I had no right to want to feel attractive at my age, I was in my mid 40s at the time! I think her manager went into a cold sweat when she saw the complaint I put in about her.

Most companies just don't do my size, I'm a 36H, but I have found Brastop online who seem to carry a large range.

The M&S bra I bought was just sheer torture to wear, and that was after I'd been fitted by them.

I have a feeling I read about a 'virtual' bra fitting service somehow. I do wonder how that will work............not sure I want to flash my boobs over a screen to a stranger??
Years ago, the best bra experience I had was in France. Was on holiday and realised I'd only taken one bra - so popped into a shop to get another one. Lovely lady eyed me up, pulled up her top to show me her bra and said she thought that one would be a good shape for me! it was - I loved that bra dearly for years!!!

I used to go to Bravissimo but now I buy online from Miss Mary of Sweden. They are a bit more expensive but I think they’re worth it.

Like HelloGirl I get bras from Damart and measure myself from a bra fitting guide in their brochure. It works for me.
But what can you do with other clothing items you need to try on? Do you buy three or more dresses or blouses or pairs of trousers and return the ones you don't want? I've never tried this. I'd feel awkward returning several similar but slighlty different sizes to a shop and I suppose if you are buying by mail order you have to pay postage.

Gwenisgreat1

I bought a bra from M&S last week, alas it's too small and will have to go back - never thought of taking it to the loo - what a good idea!! I have a Rigby and Peller bra which was fitted on me, was expensive and is the worst bra I own!! I used to buy fantasie? from figleaves - it's only recently that M&S has had my size - it was sheer comfort. I've decided in future to go for natural colour, cause it doesn't show through clothes and doesn't go off-white like whites!!

I too went to Rigby & Pellar, some years ago now, to be 'fitted' for a new bra. I say fitted because when I walked in and asked the assistant if I could be measured she was very forceful in telling me that, 'no, we don't measure madam, we fit'.

Out I came with the most expensive bra I have ever purchased (even since then 25+ years ago) and it was awful. After one wash (following strict instructions) it became limp and lifeless, no support whatsoever. I've had far better bras costing less than a third of the price of that one. It's not all about the name or what you spend.

M&S fitting is not good, a lot of women use the calculator at Boob or bus.t www.booborbust.com/ and work from that as a starting point, different bras fit different shaped breasts, I'd really recommend looking at that, there is a facebook group that helps fine tune the measurements and suggest bras that are good with ones that might be well fitting

Should say M&S CAN’T standardize

Even M&S can standardise bra size these days. I bought a cheaper bra from Matalan which fitted really well and has lasted many washes. I have now bought more from there at less than half the M&S price and they all fit!

I'm a 44DD or E.
I find the Anita Jana bra to be the most comfortable. No wires, wide straps so they don't dismember you! Cotton mainly so comfortable in hot weather.
My favourite colour is champagne, white or black. I don't like the skin coloured one as it's nowhere near my pale skintone.

They are about £45 but do last longer than most. I machine wash on 30 degrees but always put each one into a Lakeland lingerie bag which helps protect the bra but also stops the bra hooks catching other items!

I now get mine from Amazon but have previously bought from Figleaves but Figleaves are now spread around various outlets.
At least you can try them on and return them if they don't fit. Maybe order 3 different sizes to find your best fit and return the unsatisfactory ones?
Well worth a try.
I won't wear anything else now but have enjoyed the total freedom of bra free days if I'm not going out and wearing camouflaging tops!

Can’t beat the Fantasie bras from John Lewis, order them online pick them up at Waitrose, try them on at home Sizes very consistent and fabulous support. Real quality bras. ( 34e)

I get cross that the bigger sizes in M&S are nearest the floor. Gone are the days when I can crouch down to floor level to find my size.

Are you on facebook? There is a WONDERFUL page on there called Booborbust which is really helpful of you can't find the right bra. They also have a website. They help with how to measure yourself properly and all about finding the right bra for you.

M and S are not good at fitting, Victoria’s Secret no good either, as am E cup it is nonsense to suggest going bra less. Strange as it may read Ted Baker bras are a perfect comfortable fit, but if the contract changes it will be a step into the unknown. Think next will try Bravissimo.

Good quality crop tops give vg support. Try one.

I've now ordered and returned 10 bras online.I just can't find the right size, even using the size guides. The best fit ever was from Ann Summers (I daren't look in the 'end room'!) but it's closed down now, as has BHS where I'd also had some nice bras, I like the crop tops but not much support (36 DD maybe??)and under thinner summer T.shirts I look a bit droopy. HELP!

Even the bra fitter in M&S couldn’t find a bra to fit me! I go to Bravissimo now, find my size and make and then order on line. Small back and full bust means my size is never on the shelf! Find that Panache and Fantasie fit me perfectly, so just order these.

ThNks for this info, never tried to at Sainsbury’s but I will now!
I have the exact same issues as you do!

I share your frustration. I have a couple of nice fitting M & S bras about 4 years old and my always regular size is 34DD. Recently I bought two new bras, same style 34DD and they are too small. I have not gained weight or changed my shape. I tried on a 34E and it fitted me the same as my old bras. I think M&S have changed their sizing. I suspect the bra I chose came from China or thereabouts where women are smaller and sizing is not always accurate for the European market.

It’s horrendous for me. I have had to give up wired bras because the ’right size’ for my measurements has the wires centered right under my arms and digging in painfully. Also I now need front fastening bras because of arthritic shoulders and my ’choice’ is limited to one industrial type style in black, beige or white.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

M&S measuring is way off. They will measure me as a 34DD. It turns out I'm a 30G - yes really. And I'm not enormous. Bravissimo are fantastic for measuring - look at their measuring guide online. They will also explain what to look for in a well fitting bra. You may have to completely ditch any previous idea of what you thought your size was. A well fitting bra may seem a little tight to start with in the band but it will ease after a couple weeks. You will look years younger and thinner. If your bra rides up at the back and your boobs fall out when you bend over then you probably need to go down to band sizes and up 2 cup sizes. Be brave and open minded. Measure your rib cage under your boobs. If the tape measure says 34" then that is your band size.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

When I lost a lot of weight, alas mostly regained I went to be properly measured and fitted which was great. We then commenced trying on bras what transpired was that I was more or lessthat depending on the make I was a different size. So the important part was trying a bra on and getting fitted for that make of bra. Not sure if that makes sense....

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

M& S Have recently brought out a new bra without front seams in an incredibly soft fabric and they do it up to really large GG cup sizes. I bought three last week and I am very pleased with them.