Do you REALLY know your bra size?

blue_monkey_2

It depends really. Every company is different, some will make you pay and yet others will not, it is finding the correct company to deal with. Some will do it just for the money and will not really have any decent exchange policy, others will want you in a decent fitting bra and will let you exchange for free and these are the sites to buy from.

Also, you should never wash bras in the washing machine because it twists the wires out of shape. Buy a small bottle of washing liquid, chuck them in the bathroom sink overnight to soak, in the morning rinse and hang over the bath (get a ple or something to put across it), they'll be dry by the evening. It'll take 5 minutes tops in total. It feels like harder work than it is.

If you are uncomfortable it is because you have not been fitted into the correct size or style - the right style will be comfortable right away although if going down a few band sizes it does take a week or so to get used to. if you are fitted in a shop and then buy that bra and it is uncomfortale you should always go back to the store and tell them, the point of having a fitting is so that you can get something that fits and is comfortable, if the shop gets it wrong they should rectify this.

Not every bra fits every style and there will always be people who buy the Asda bras but as you have found, they are not subject to the same testing as the brands are and the sizes are often out on them. This is why you'll never know your true size if you are buying supermarket bras as they make for themselves.

blue_monkey_2

It is nice when you find somewhere that just gives perfect service.

If you see other styles online though, you should always go aask the shop you usually go to if they can order something in for you. They usually will if it is a brand they usually stock. Have a look at the brand website and take the details in to the shop, I am sure they'll be happy to oblige without committing you to purchase the bra.

ViolaLass

Bettie wrote: »

One thing that puzzles me about buying online is the general rules on postage. I was looking at a site last week and it charged postage, so if I bought a bra and paid postage and then found it didn't fit, would I have to pay again to send it back? and then they could send another size and if that didn't fit I'd pay again etc etc.. I can see someone, me or them or both, would end up paying an awful lot of stamp money for maybe nothing...

I can only speak for Bravissimo as they're the only ones I buy from but their system is that you pay the first lot of postage and then any returns/replacement are postage free, regardless of how many bras you send back. Also, if you try to get a particular bra from their shop and they don't have it, they will send it to you postage-free.

blue_monkey_2

PinkLipgloss wrote: »

blue_monkey,

I too am shocked by the sight of some women in Summer. I think you should start a national campaign on the streets to raise awareness!

I want to go and see some shops and ask me if they'll let me do a 'fitting day' one Saturday. I've bought some perfect bras for fitting today (these ones fit everyone!), it has been something I have been thinking about for a while now, just have to find a spare weekend and a shop that will let me set up there for the day. It has to be a shop that does not sell high street undies though.

But yes, absolutely. It has been something I have been thinking about for a while now. Our indoor market has spare stalls but not sure they get enough footfall to make it worth paying the rent. I won;t have anything to sell, just spend the day telling women the size that they should be wearing.

In all honesty, how would any of you feel if out shopping and someone came up and said 'excuse me, I can see you are wearing a bra that does not fit properly, would you like a fitting?' Someone said I should have a coat with 'Bra Doctor' on it. :rotfl: But seriously, how would you feel about it? Would you be mortified?

PinkLipgloss

I think women would either be:

* mortified (I would be - especially if I was with a friend!)
* aggressive (approach a Glaswegian woman with this information and expect a black eye!)

I think most women are probably aware they are not fitted correctly but either have not go around to it, are embarrassed or don't know where they can get good fitting (as have been to a department store and got fitted badly).

It does, however, make a massive difference to how you look/feel. I've told several people about shop I went to and have convinced 2 friends to go there!

You should definitely set up somewhere and try to raise awareness - people would love you for it!

whatatwit

blue-monkey, personally i would love the idea...but my mum would hate it.

I'm always telling her that her bra is the wrong size, but she just goes up a band size and ends up with saggy boobs...I want to do a Trinny and Susannah & hoist up her straps.
There also seems to be some sort of stigma about having a larger cup size.

trudij

Id LOVE someone to sort mine out - they really need it !! (and I need the help - Im too scared to do it on my own,cos i will muck it up !!)

munch_jg

i think when i've popped the baby out and my boobs have settled down i'm definitely getting fitted, i've always worn a 32a but i think its too small! I've always been embarassed incase the women laugh at what my nan calls bee stings!

Apollonia

I have read this entire thread over the last couple of days and have been inspired to get properly fitted!

As well as all the advice from blue monkey, I discovered that Wikipedia has a lot of information on bra sizes. The articles are very interesting but my two favourite bits are these:

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassiere_measurements

Cup volume
Most women assume that a B cup on a 34 band is the same size as a B cup on a 36 band. In fact, bra cup size is relative to the band size, as the actual volume of a cup size changes as the band size changes. Because manufacturer's standards vary so widely, women cannot rely on a single measuring system. The volume of a brassiere cup is the same for 30D, 32C, 34B, and 36A.

I think the bit I have highlighted is what I find most amazing!

And for the ladies who are shy about going for a fitting and would like to calculate the correct cup size for themselves:

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bra_sizing#Bra_sizes

Calculating cup volume
Bra designers can calculate the volume of a brassiere cup in several ways depending on the shape of the breast. If the breast is round and essentially the shape of a half-sphere, any of three formulas might be used.[21]




where V equals the volume of one-half sphere, D equals the diameter of the sphere, and r equals the radius of the sphere.
If the breast is shaped more like a cone, the designer might use a formula like the following:[21]


where Db equals diameter of the cone's base and h equals the height of the cone.

With my maths skills it would be quicker going into a changing room with the entire stock at M & S until I find one that fits!

Stinkybell

blue_monkey wrote: »

Someone said I should have a coat with 'Bra Doctor' on it. :rotfl:

Someone needs to get you onto the oneshow or embarassing bodies with this! Was in Pizza Express the other day and saw a four-boobed woman walk past the window. Even my fianc! noticed and said it looked really bad!