Buying bras when you need help with dressing

blue_monkey_2

linni wrote: »

I'm gonna look at your site too as I have similar problems to Lame Wolf. In fact I have often thought of doing a bra fitting service in my area (I am in Kent). Do you want to expand!!!!

Hi Linni,

I've been fitting for a number of years now but if this is something you are considering and you want to know how to go about it and you have not fit before I would advise that you get onto a good bra fitting course (there are a few around, some are free and some are not) so if people say 'have you done this before' you can show them your certificate. I have fit for a long time but do not have that piece of paper so I am going on a course next year as I feel it will give the people I fit the peace of mind that they are getting a good fitting - but please feel free to PM me and we can have a chat if you want.

Paparika

Invasion wrote: »

Maybe your area is better then... But I don't know anyone who's been fitted correctly by them.. they use a tape measure, which isn't really how it should be done. I don't doubt they have good customer service etc. But there was a campaign recently about their D+ bras being more expensive (now resolved!) which also mentioned their bad fitting, experiences from many many people submitted.

um how is it done, i got visions of someone grabbing a handful then saying handful's that section, :rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

I believe Rigby and Peller do it by eye, not handful. :rotfl:

linni

Thank you Blue monkey - that would be great. I will write a few notes and pm you.

kazwookie

LW I am in MK and would be happy to help you go shopping if you want. Pm me if you do.

I would have thought most shops in CMK would be happy to allow Mr LW as your carer to help you.

indiegirl_2

LW, I've checked with my mum who (as I mentioned in my PM to you) works at Bravissimo in MK, and she said that they have a larger disabled changing room, but most importantly they will allow husbands into the changing rooms so I don't think you'll have a problem if you and he go there.

Of course, don't feel obliged to buy there, but definitely get yourself measured ;-)

LameWolf

Lorne wrote: »

In my experience a phonecall to Marks and spencers sorts it all out. They are fantastic, just explain that it is because you physically need help from your husband and they'll let him go in with you and corden off a section of the changing rooms. My client had the entire place to herself and her male carer and they were very discrete and professional. I got the impression that it wasn't uncommon.

I'm amazed. I'm so very shy about this sort of thing, and am really stressed about it at this point. I'll have to get Mr LW to see what he can find out. I think I'd sooner chew off my own leg than do the asking myself.:embarasse

jennilb wrote: »

Bravissimo is very good, they don't have to touch you to take the measurement - they do it by eye. This means they do need to see you in your bra in the changing room, I'm not sure how that'll be for you.

Sadly, I don't think I could handle that; it's as much as I can do to let Mr LW see me (VERY negative self-image, type of thing).

Oh my, it seems like a real mine-field - I don't wonder I've put it off for so long. Why don't men have to suffer this sort of stuff?

I'm sort of thinking that I'll have to go with ordering online , trying on at home, and returning what doesn't fit. The more I think about it, the more I think it'll send me into a minor breakdown to have to go and try things on in a store (never done this before, I always bought "off the peg" and hoped for the best). *SIGH* why do us women have to have these totally useless appendages?? No, don't answer that, I do know their use, but I never had children.:o

OK, I'm going to think some more on this, and will answer peoples' kind PMs when I'm a little less tired (have had a busy weekend).

black_paw

i too have been looking in to having some new bras ..but find different makes come different sizes...which make it all the harder..blue monkey is the best way forward ..but there is so few proper bra fitter about these days..i tend to go to asda ..anyone can come in with you in the fitting room and then you can try them on...but do they fir right ? thats the hard bit

blue_monkey_2

You are right black paw, I would advise anyone to get fitted properly just the once and ask the bra fitter to explain to you how you know it fits right so then you will know for the future. the band should be snug, there should be no movement - you should lift your arms, bend forward, etc... so if you fall out of it you know while you are there and not at work..... The cups should 'cup' the sires should not dig in, the cup should not be too tight or loose across the top. Most importantly - put your top back on and check how it looks under clothing as some can just look terrible once you are wearing clothes and just not suit you.

I would advise anyone to buy branded bras as they do generally all run to the same size - even I find variations and although I sell 100 bras in my size I have just 3 types that fit me 'right'. It is a real pain I agree but try on lots of different sorts. Most ladies can wear just one brand but it is finding the brand that fits you just right. I have ladies who can only wear Freya or can only wear Fantasie.

Think of it like this..... if you go and choose a pair of shoes off the shelf you have to try them on, not every shoe in your size fits, not every shoe in your size suits - only buying shoes is a darn sight easier than buying bras. It is a real faff taking everything off and disappearing into a changing room for half an hour - especially if you have kids (or a husband, LOL) hanging around huffing about waiting.

Black paw, I have a page on my site that has a fitting guide that tells you what to look for in a good fitting bra and how it should feel/look when on. It is via my homepage, if you cannot find it PM me and I'll let you now what it is via a link as I cannot post it here. Sometimes it is easier to print it out and use it while trying on, as a kind of checklist, to make sure you are happy with the fit of the bra and to make sure the style suits you. This is also very important - that the bra you are wearing suits your body shape. It also tells you how you know the bra you are wearing is not right for you.

The only thing is that now (especially in the summer) I spend most of the time looking at people's bras - I feel like I should set up a little stand in a shopping centre to tell people they are wearing the wrong size, it really irritates me :rotfl:

The thing about a good fitting bra is that it pulls you up at the spine, holds you upright and makes you look and feel much better. If you have the wrong size you'll be slumped over and feel heavy, my lady who is 36J (who hated feeling so heavy and had backache) cannot believe the difference it has made to her to be in a bra that fits as it has taken a lot of the weight off her back and shoulders. Although, when they are back in the place they should be you tend to knock them til you get used to them being there as they look and feel so 'big', LOL. Anyhow, Monday morning, work to do, I shall stop talking for the moment. If you want advice on whether it fits ask here or via PM and I'll be happy to help.

blue_monkey_2

And one last thing. When putting your bra on you should put yourself into it by bending forward and then doing it up at the back (if you can, I do realise not everyone can do this but this is the way to put on a bra). Then pull everything forward into the cup, the bra cup needs to cup all of the tissue and this is why bras often dig in at the side, you have not done this and so are in the wrong cup size and everything is trying to escape (again, think poorly fitted shoes).

And nice snug band with no movement, if you are tugging at the band of your bra it is the wrong size.

The size you 'measure' with a tape is not the size you are (very few ladies fit their measured size) - measuring is a guide and starting point only and trying on is the best way of ensuring a bra fits you correctly. Try it on, if the band is too big then go down a band size and up 2 cup sizes until you find the right band size, then work on the cup fitting right. Band first, then cup size. If you are measured and then given a bra and told that it fits question the fitter as to whether it actually fits you and ask them to tell you how. I 'measure' a 34F - I am a 30/32G/GG depending on the bra.

A few years ago we would have accepted our measured size but there were hardly any bras to choose from and you just grabbed what you could, I remember struggling to find an F cup bra, now there are endless bras to choose from so take your time to make sure you find something right for you.

OMG, sorry for all of the bra lectures this time on a Monday morning I am really passionate about ladies wearing the right size, can you tell?