Bra shopping!

flea72

libbyc3 wrote: »

does anyone have any siggestions of where in essex i could go to get a proper measurement?

williams and griffin in colchester, essex

the staff really know their stuff, and are prepared to do the running around whilst you stand in the changing room

Flea

mippy

Blue Monkey, don't have it yet...:)

blue_monkey_2

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Both M&S and Debenhams usually offer a measuring service.

I am 36 years old and always been an AA; despite putting on three stone in weight I am still an AA! M&S have just this year started offering AA's in the adults section, previously you could only get them in kids bras which often came in pastel colours or had Snoopy on!! Also why do so many companies underwire AA bras, I have nothing to hold up and it's just uncomfortable.

And to anyone who thinks I don't need a bra - I wear white t-shirts/ shirts too, and I work in a gym with air conditioning ...

With being a smaller size I would say to take the wires out, the wires are there for support and shape but if you only need the bra for covering up under shirts then buy a smooth one and remove the wires, if you are going out or want something special you can get a brand called Panache Atlantis which has gel or padding inside that boosts the cup size by one size. It is the most popular bra range that I sell, I sell more of these than any other bra in AA, A and B cup sizes!!

You can get some cotton plain white bras from a company called Royce who only sell non-wired bras and you might find some coloured ones knocking around from a company called Miss Lepel. Yes, they are all aimed at the teenage market though - except for Atlantis, I'd not put a young teenager in them (but that is just me).

For the poster looking for non-wired bras I have only just thought about this comany, I've not sold these for a while as I did not have time to get them on my website, but I've just looked at their site and they now have coloured bras too... http://www.royce-lingerie.co.uk/product_browser.php?range=Comfort They come with or without pockets for prosthesis if anyone needs mastecomy bras.

blue_monkey_2

flea72 wrote: »

williams and griffin in colchester, essex

the staff really know their stuff, and are prepared to do the running around whilst you stand in the changing room

Flea

This is the one I was thinking of Flea - thanks!! They do have other stores elsewhere, really nice store, staff not too intrusive when you are trying on. Also in Bishops Stortford there are a couple of Independants you can try in the High Street.

blue_monkey_2

mippy wrote: »

Blue Monkey, don't have it yet...:)

I forgot to press send Have done that since, you'll see why I was distracted when you read the PM. :rotfl:

Skyllo

Hi, I'm an occasional lurker here and a poor student with an awkward bra size too! It's my favourite ranting topic.

I'm a 28E and most of my bras are from Freya - they're comfortable and they last a long time - I've had some for nearly two years now and the fit well. At the start of the summer, a local department store (It's called Menarys and is based in Northern Ireland) had 50% off Freya lingerie so I managed to get 2 bras for £30. It's the selection that bothers me - there is ONE nude t-shirt bra in a 28 back and the cups are ridiculously high cut - they show over tops that aren't even low enough to show cleavage.

As for fitting, Bravissimo is great and I've heard good things about John Lewis and House of Fraser. Avoid La Senza for fitting at all costs: they're trained by the "measure and add 4 inches" method that is totally incorrect. One fitter tried to tell me I was a 32C when I was wearing a 32D that I was spilling out of. :rolleyes: Their bras are also small in the cup so you need to go up a cup size.

For fellow 28ers: I've heard that John Lewis stocks 28s in some of its own range. I asked in one in Glasgow and they don't stock them (it's a fairly small department) but apparently London Oxford Street one has loads. La Senza also do a range called "Girly and Gorgeous" and the back size in it is really tight - a 30E is basically a 28E. they're £15 each and are often on promotion at 2 for £25.

Phew, end of rant!

AJayneC

Skyllo wrote: »

As for fitting, Bravissimo is great and I've heard good things about John Lewis and House of Fraser. Avoid La Senza for fitting at all costs: they're trained by the "measure and add 4 inches" method that is totally incorrect. One fitter tried to tell me I was a 32C when I was wearing a 32D that I was spilling out of. :rolleyes: Their bras are also small in the cup so you need to go up a cup size.

For fellow 28ers: I've heard that John Lewis stocks 28s in some of its own range. I asked in one in Glasgow and they don't stock them (it's a fairly small department) but apparently London Oxford Street one has loads. La Senza also do a range called "Girly and Gorgeous" and the back size in it is really tight - a 30E is basically a 28E. they're £15 each and are often on promotion at 2 for £25.

Wow thanks for the brilliant advice! Just what I needed. I guess you are in the same situation as me. I think I need to go for a fitting, but I've been into marks and spencer and la senza and came more confused about my bra size than when I went in. I always find it hard to agree with them when they're stood there saying the bras look good on me, because usually they are hurting or hanging off me lol.
So I'll have a look at John Lewis, House of Fraser for fittings (I'm not sure if there's a Bravissimo near me - I'll check) and then browse around for bras! Have you any tips on where to actually buy them from when you've been fitted?

Thanks again

AJayneC

blue_monkey wrote: »

I do not have a shop on eBay any longer, I have my website now and just sell from there - I can offer better prices as I am not paying their eBay fees. I used to pay around £500 a month on fees before adding Paypal fees on (obviously lots of sizes and styles) but since they put their prices up I'd have had to pay £2000 in listing fees at 20p an item. Just ridicuous. So now I just have the website.

Blue Monkey! What is your shop called? Could you send me the URL?

scotsgirl_3

Brastop have a few panache bras in 28 backs reduced to about £16/£17 which is quite reasonable if they suit you as a brand.

AJayneC

scotsgirl wrote: »

Brastop have a few panache bras in 28 backs reduced to about £16/£17 which is quite reasonable if they suit you as a brand.

I've never tried them to be honest, I've just gone with M&S, La Senza and Debenhams- that kind of thing. Would you rate them? I saw some in TK Maxx but didn't really know much about the brand so left it!