Bravissimo fitting

[the devil made me do it]

Had a fitting at Bravissimo and I told them what kind of bras I prefer. The lady suggested Panache Tango Pure (balconette style). Would it be fair to say that I could buy any decent balconette bra in the size I've been fitted and it would be ok?

[skintlass]

Hi, in short no. You need to have paid attention when you were fitted to see how the bra fitted you so that you can try on other bras and check that they fit in the same way. You can probably buy the same make in the same size and be reasonably confident they will fit but not every size is the same across retailers. Think of it like other clothes - you buy one size which fits perfectly in one shop and in another shop the same size is loose or tight.

[geekgirl]

Had a fitting at Bravissimo and I told them what kind of bras I prefer. The lady suggested Panache Tango Pure (balconette style). Would it be fair to say that I could buy any decent balconette bra in the size I've been fitted and it would be ok?

Also if you need the size of bra that Bravissimo fit then you are best off making sure a different one fits just as well as that one as you need good support. (which you already know obviously as you went to Bravissimo!)

[bloomin freezing]

Definately not, I too wear the panache tango 2 balconette and have very few other makes of bra that fit just as well. I often buy the tango 2's from ebay. You can pm me if you like and i'll give you the name where i get them. They are all new with tags by the way, the lady buys direct from the supplier if i remember correctly.

[keelykat]

No! whatever your size, bras differ a hell of a lot from shop to shop, and style etc... I wouldnt buy online as you cant try it on and i prefer ideally for someone to measure me up to make sure it fits properly. I buy several good fitting bas in one go, and next time i need more/new ones i get fitted again. I do this because ive realised ive got the wrong size soon after buying, and have to admitt im rubbish at trying them on and seeing if they really fit.

So to save you money (and the backache) get fitted and dont buy on impulse in sales!

keely.

[shopndrop]

I tend to buy from Bravissimo and have found that I need a different size depending on the make of the bra. At one time, I was fitted with the same size but for 2 different makes of bra, one was extremely comfortable, the other felt too tight. I took it back, they asked me to wear it on the day I went in and as soon as I took my top off, they said I had been sold the wrong size for that manufacturer and had no hesitation in changing it for a better fit. Excellent customer service.

[the devil made me do it]

bloominfreezing, I've sent you a pm.

[January20]

I tend to buy from Bravissimo and have found that I need a different size depending on the make of the bra. At one time, I was fitted with the same size but for 2 different makes of bra, one was extremely comfortable, the other felt too tight. I took it back, they asked me to wear it on the day I went in and as soon as I took my top off, they said I had been sold the wrong size for that manufacturer and had no hesitation in changing it for a better fit. Excellent customer service.

The last time I went into my local Bravissimo, the service was rubbish! So much so that I walked out of the shop without buying anything! I went online onto the Figleaves website, through Quidco, and got the exact same bras I would have bought from Bravissimo, cheaper, no p&p and with a couple of £ cashback :T

[the devil made me do it]

I found their service ok. I didn't actually get shown a range of bras tho', which would have been a help in me personally choosing, the assistant kinda chose for me. I told her I wanted a 2 everyday bras and one strapless. That's how I ended up with panache tango pure and special occassions. I'm happy with them, but the tango pure are no good for nights out.

Not convinced she measured me right for the strapless. I measured a 36G in the balconette and she gave me a 36E in the strapless. :confused:

After saying that, I had been going round wearing a 36C or D :o

[January20]

I found their service ok. I didn't actually get shown a range of bras tho', which would have been a help in me personally choosing, the assistant kinda chose for me. I told her I wanted a 2 everyday bras and one strapless. That's how I ended up with panache tango pure and special occassions. I'm happy with them, but the tango pure are no good for nights out.

Not convinced she measured me right for the strapless. I measured a 36G in the balconette and she gave me a 36E in the strapless. :confused:

After saying that, I had been going round wearing a 36C or D :o

Yes exactly, I was asked to tell them which one I wanted once I'd said which size I was! I wanted them to show me different styles once I'd said what size I was and what type of bras I like.

In our shop they have two levels, the top level has all the bras on show in a couple of sizes, but then you have to go downstairs and ask the assistants specifically for your size.

At the end of the day, it's their loss because I bought my bras from elsewhere and I haven't been back yet!

[the devil made me do it]

The Bravissimo shop I went to was the same. Upstairs selection of styles, downstairs the fitting area. I am full of cold, so couldn't be bothered to argue. Just wanted some bras to fit right.

Did you end up guessing your size then?

[JoeyEmma]

I would definitely say that not all balconettes are the same shape. I like Bravissimo as you pay for the fitting. Last time I was there she bought me out a perfect fitting Freya balconette, there was another almost identical one in the catalogue. When I asked to try it on she said the cups were cut slightly differently and wouldn't fit me, I insisted on trying it on and she was right. Cuts can vary even between same makes and cup styles, and you pay that bit extra for the fitting to find the right bra.

I prefer how they ask you what occasion you want the bra for (eg everyday, for under low tops) and they help you pick out the best fitting one for you. At the end of the day I have big boobs and what them supported as best as possible and sometimes that means a boring plain bra that I wouldn't choose for myself.

[the devil made me do it]

Yes I agree. The panache tango pure are by no means sexy, but they are supporting me perfectly, which is why i wanted fitting in the first place.

[the devil made me do it]

Just wondering... how many everyday bras should one own; & how often do people change bras ie daily, every couple of days?

[the devil made me do it]

Well got to say, so far not impressed with the fitting of my new bras. I haven't yet tried the Panache strapless one, but am wearing one of the tango pure ones and I'm uncomfortable as hell. The underwire is digging in and leaving marks around the cleavage area and underarm area. I have them on the first fastening. Any advice please?? I just feel rather cheated at the mo, especially when we are pushed into getting fitted properly.

[liney]

I went to Bravissimo and was sold a 32 F, told the woman i thought the cup was too big but she was ademant she knew best. I bought the 32F and the underwire dug under my arms so i sent 2 emails asking if they would exchange/refund me as the fitting was incorrect but they never responded. I would not recommend them.

[the devil made me do it]

Well I'll be telephoning tomorrow, both the shop I visited and the online number.

Do you recommend anywhere?

[BallandChain]

I'm so jealous of you girls with big boobies, I'm small in comparison. I just got fitted in La Senza just before Christmas as my 34B bras were getting a bit tight. It was my first fitting in years and when I was approached by a very young SA, I thought "Oh no she won't know much."

I was wrong, she was so helpful and really took her time with me. I got to try on a range of bras and was very pleased that I am now a 36B. (Hmmm still not sure if that is any bigger though, that's just my back size that's gone up?) But the bras I got do look bigger and with the added benefit of padding and gel I now have a cleavage. Yay!

Luckily when I went in there were no other customers waiting for a fitting and I didn't feel rushed. I'd like to think I could buy online but worried if I go for a different bra altogether it won't fit, due to bras differing in size.

Just to add the balconette type bra I tried on was too big and the SA told me that most people go down a size on those.

[keelykat]

I'm so jealous of you girls with big boobies, I'm small in comparison. I just got fitted in La Senza just before Christmas as my 34B bras were getting a bit tight. It was my first fitting in years and when I was approached by a very young SA, I thought "Oh no she won't know much."

I was wrong, she was so helpful and really took her time with me. I got to try on a range of bras and was very pleased that I am now a 36B. (Hmmm still not sure if that is any bigger though, that's just my back size that's gone up?) But the bras I got do look bigger and with the added benefit of padding and gel I now have a cleavage. Yay!

Luckily when I went in there were no other customers waiting for a fitting and I didn't feel rushed. I'd like to think I could buy online but worried if I go for a different bra altogether it won't fit, due to bras differing in size.

Just to add the balconette type bra I tried on was too big and the SA told me that most people go down a size on those.

I dont have big boobs either, so cant go into bravissimo :o but whatever your size you should get measured up.

keely.

ps edited to add your boobs havent changed by sounds out of. Im sur youd have gone to a 36C then? 36C is same as 34B basically. i lost bit of weight and went from 36B to 34C, my boobs didnt shrink or anything just lost weight around my middle it seems!

[the devil made me do it]

Had a look on La Senza website. No good for any lady over an E cup.

Haven't a clue what I'm going to do now :(

I'll certainly have to return the new bras tho', cost me too much money just to have them sit there doing nothing.

[BallandChain]

I just took a look on the La Senza home page and they do E, F and FF cups admittedly only a small selection I think. Bravissimo seems to be the only shop I know that does the bigger sizes with more of a choice. Have you tried Marks and Spencers? I was looking in there for bras and saw bras for ladies over an E cup. They seem to be catering more for the bigger breasted girls especially as now there are so many women having breast augmentation. I think Figleaves is also another site that somebody mentioned.

[the devil made me do it]

I'll check to see if Figleaves have stores.

[finc]

Have a look at brastop (http://www.brastop.com/). They do a lot of the bras that figleaves and bravissimo do but at better prices. Good service too.

[wickychoo]

I had a fitting at Bravissimo a few months ago, went from a 36D to a 34E and have a waist again! Hurrah! But I foolishly thought I was a 34E so bought some pretty everyday bras from La Senza online, when I got them I could barely do them up round the back and I was back to the four-boob look :rolleyes:

Now I go in an try them before I buy them and though they are expensive (sales on now though) and I only have a few "key" bras (skin tone, multiway, tshirt and plunge), I feel its worth it for my back and my boobs!:j

[melancholly]

Just wondering... how many everyday bras should one own; & how often do people change bras ie daily, every couple of days?

hmm.... i guess i own a lot - about 15/18 ish (although just got a new one for £5.40 in the intimas sale - very happy about that!). that sounds like a lot.... and i guess it is, but they do seem to last me a long time. i can't remeber the last time i spent over £20 on one - i suppose i buy them when they're on sale rather than waiting until i need one.... maybe i should stop this :) got a few from ebay (look for the BNWT ones - brand new with tags - but you can't send them back if they don't fit), then there's a great £10 one on figleaves that fits very well for me.

i don't have separate every day and special ones (although there are a few that i wouldn't wear out with certain outfits and i don't wear the strapless one to work!). i tend to wear a different bra every day, then after a few wears wash a whole load (unless it's in the summer when they get washed after each day!).

i also think it really is a shame you had a bad time at bravissimo. i've only found the staff there to be very helpful and quite understanding without being pushy. i haven't ever felt obliged to buy what i tried on, although i haven't been fitted in a while. if you go back with the bras you have and speak to someone there about changing them and the fact that it wasn't great last time, i'm sure they'd help! their customer service is generally better than average (you get rubbish people everywhere, granted, but i have one of their coats, lost a button and couldn't find the spare - it was a couple of years old and i rang the phone ordering line. someone tracked down a spare button and posted it to me when i imagine most places would just say tough!).

figleaves don't have stores, but there are a couple of brastop shops in london. i'm not a big fan of m&s or la senza bras on the whole - they're designed for smaller boobs and then scaled up, so don't tend to be designed to have the same level of support as bras made just for big boobs! i know jordan was designing bras for george at asda - haven't tried them but i'd guess they should be for the bigger bust and a lot cheaper!

(this turned into a very long post - sorry!)

[the devil made me do it]

I have actually telephoned the bravissimo shop and they were more than happy for me to come in store and have a refit and try a different style.

I agree about M&S. Even before I got fitted, I found M&S bras to offer little or no support in anyway. The bras I've been fitted by Bravissimo are giving me great support, but they are uncomfortable.

Hopefully, when I go back in store, I'll get good bras that a comfortable.

[maypole]

"Sadie the Bra lady" a company in the North east of England have a good reputation. The first 15 mins of fitting is free then you charged by the hour. I have always managed to be fitted quickly as up to now, I only needed normal everyday bras.

[littlejaffa]

I'm hoping for some advice on this, I too had a fitting in bravisimo, I'm really big boobed but not wide backed so have very little choice.
I found only the tango fitted well so i've got about 10 of them (diff colours etc) but would really likes something more cleavage enhancing rather than the divide and conquor approach of the tango.
I've ordered others online but find other styles in the same size just don't fit. I reccon i need to go into bravisimo and try on diff styles etc again and hope for something better.

My question...and this feels very silly, is how do you put a bra on?
I only know of two approaches, the 'clip at the front and spin it round' or the approach bravisimo told me to use, leaning forward and 'reach around and clip at the back'.
When trying new underwire bras I just can't spin it, and don't have the dexterity to clip 3 clips at the back where i can't see.
So (assuming they won't let me take my husband into the changing room!) how do i try on a pile of bras, on my own?

[keelykat]

Theres a good guide to bras and how to put one on etc on figleaves, they sent me the booklet but have stopped sending them out now i think, but you can still download the info off the site.

I never fasten at front and try to spin it around-it never works for me! I personally lean into it, and fasten at back, then have a wiggle to make sure im in ok lol.

keely.

[keelykat]

http://www.figleaves.com/uk/fitting_room.asp?cat=164

here you go!

[BallandChain]

Thanks Keely. I went to the page and they must be having problems:

Sorry, there is no Figleaves.com page matching your request

[the devil made me do it]

"Sadie the Bra lady" a company in the North east of England have a good reputation. The first 15 mins of fitting is free then you charged by the hour. I have always managed to be fitted quickly as up to now, I only needed normal everyday bras.

I've heard of this person, just haven't a clue how to contact her. She is suppose to be good.

[melancholly]

Thanks Keely. I went to the page and they must be having problems:

Sorry, there is no Figleaves.com page matching your request
http://www.bravissimo.com/info/3Step.aspx
this might work as an alternative!

[Stephb1986]

i put my arms in the put my boobs into the cups lean forward a little grab hold of the 2 ends and guide them with my fingers till they clip together :)

Stephb xx

[bloomin freezing]

http://www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie/everyday-essentials/panache/plunge-bras/pnb5-details.aspx?colour=Hot+Pink

This is a nice bra, the tango range still, but giving your boobies a bit more oomph! as its cut lower in the middle, therefore allowing lower cut tops.

i pretty much stick with the panache tango 2 in various colours. I think its the tango 2 superbra, rather than the 'pure'.

[maypole]

The devil made me do it

"Sadie the bra lady" is the name of the shop. Look on a website for addresses or in Yellow Pages.

Ashington (Northumberland )
Sunderland
Consett (County Durham)
Darlington
Scarborough
Thirsk

[Bykerlass]

While on holiday in Craster in November, we saw an advert for Sadie the Bra Lady who was due to visit in the near future. We laughed as we thought it was just some lady who travelled around measuring ladies boobs. My OH was interested in becoming her assistant. :D :D :D

[littlejaffa]

http://www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie/everyday-essentials/panache/plunge-bras/pnb5-details.aspx?colour=Hot+Pink

This is a nice bra, the tango range still, but giving your boobies a bit more oomph! as its cut lower in the middle, therefore allowing lower cut tops.

i pretty much stick with the panache tango 2 in various colours. I think its the tango 2 superbra, rather than the 'pure'.


Thanks soooo much i hadn't even noticed there were diff styles!! have ordered!
Sounds like my lean and reach around is the thing to get them on, i'll just need to practice. xx

[the devil made me do it]

well went back to bravissimo. They put me into a plunge bra and saif I'm a 36FF:confused: So, I've gone from a 36G down to a 36FF. I'm totally baffled.

[melancholly]

it could be the bra style - i'm 32FF, 32F, 30G etc etc depending on the cut of the bra.... it's not quite an exact science with bigger boobs! :) hope the plunge bra gives you a killer cleavage (at 36FF i'm guessing it is impressive ;))

[sarahluv]

i have about 60 or 70 bras. i'm anything from a 32ff, 36f, 34ff, 34f, 32g, 34g

some manufacturers eg m+s don't do a ff!

i buy most of my bras from m+s and ebay but also have some from selfridges, house of fraser, debenhams, agent provocateur. i rarely pay more than £12

[the devil made me do it]

it could be the bra style - i'm 32FF, 32F, 30G etc etc depending on the cut of the bra.... it's not quite an exact science with bigger boobs! :) hope the plunge bra gives you a killer cleavage (at 36FF i'm guessing it is impressive ;))

Well at 32FF or 30G you mustn't be doing bad yourself :)

[the devil made me do it]

i have about 60 or 70 bras. i'm anything from a 32ff, 36f, 34ff, 34f, 32g, 34g

some manufacturers eg m+s don't do a ff!

i buy most of my bras from m+s and ebay but also have some from selfridges, house of fraser, debenhams, agent provocateur. i rarely pay more than £12

Yeah ebay looks good for decent bras.

Even tho' I pad £20+ at bravissimo, I'm keeping them and I'll just get bras elsewhere now I know what I'm looking for.

[melancholly]

Well at 32FF or 30G you mustn't be doing bad yourself :)
but i don't wear a plunge bra!! i have one, but had a near miss of coming out the front of it once (a few years ago now and alcohol was involved!), and it still makes me nervous!! shameful really!

[the devil made me do it]

I've never worn a plunge bra lol. Seems they are now the style for me and I mainly wear tshirts. Not a low cut top person, so I suppose they are a bit wasted on me.