When we visit places like airports, restaurants and shops we tend to assume that the people that work in those places know their trade. We trust what they say, as surely they, as professionals know what they are talking about. I believe that this is why so many women wear the wrong size bra – a lack of knowledge from some individuals whose job it is to help women build the foundation of their outfits.
This is not meant to be a snobbish know-it-all jibe, and I do not profess to be superior to anyone who works as a bra fitter. But ten years of owning tits, seven of which were spent oozing out of cups and yanking on my back band has made me realise that the lingerie world still has a long way to go before everyone is up to speed.
Don’t ever be scared to go for a bra fitting. Don’t think for one second that your body is not worthy of being seen in a state of undress by a stranger. That your boobs are too big/small/saggy/uneven and therefore something that the fitter hasn’t seen before. Bra fitter are like doctors – they see so many bodies, and their focus is not on how the body looks as a whole, but more on how the specific part they are dealing with needs their assistance. If a bra fitter ever makes you feel anything less than comfortable and at ease then it is NOT your fault or problem, and you should report them to their company as they are not fit to deal with something so sensitive and personal as bra fitting. You are in a vulnerable situation and they need to act professionally and respectfully.
A good bra fitter should ideally assess the bra you have on and work from there. Some may use tape measures, but that is only part of the process. A well fitted bra isn’t some equation that can be solved by knowing a measurement, it’s something that is so personal depending on the person being fitted. They should firstly check your band back and see how well it’s fitting you. They will probably need to know how old the bra is and how often you wear it. They will then check how the cups fit you and bring you a few styles and sizes to try. Should they feel that they do not stock something in the size you need they should relay that information in the nicest manner possible without judgement, and possibly even refer to you another store. A good bra fitter does not cram women into any old size just to get them out of their changing room and to the tills, just like a shoes salesperson wouldn’t cram your size 7 feet into some size 5s and dismiss the discomfort that you will inevitably feel.
A good bra fitter should take the time to ensure you are fitted correctly into a bra and you know exactly what to do with it. They should bring you a size that you can fasten on the loosest hook, explaining that the next hooks are there so you can fasten the bra snugly as the brand stretches out over time. They should ask that you scoop all of the breast tissue from under your arms into your cups so that the bras underwires sits flat against your torso, and not on any breast tissue. They should tighten the shoulder straps enough that they stay up, but not so much that they take the strain of the weight of the bust – the band should be doing 80% of the work. And everything they do in order to fit the bra should be explained to you. It sounds so obvious, and maybe implies that women do not understand what bras are for, but it should just be a simple helpful fitting process to give the person getting the fitting the best chance of comfort and value. Ideally you should try a top on over your bra and move around, just as you would walk around a shop in a pair of shoes. Bras can be expensive, and as they are worn for most of the day they need to be as perfect as possible.
In my experience and from the comments left by my readers, so many bra fitters seem to body shame women and give them poor service. It makes me sad to know that these women are out there, making other feel bad about their bodies and causing them discomfort. Just remember: the bra fitter is not always right and as long as you go to a fitting armed with the knowledge of how a well fitting bra looks and feels and what you should and shouldn’t be told with regards to your body, then there is nothing to worry about.
If you have had any outstandingly good or bad bra fitting experiences then share them in the comments.
If you are unsure about how a bra should fit then why not check out my ‘Bra Fitting’ tab, where you can find videos, explanations and much much more.
Fuller Figure Fuller Bust 
Well Said!! I wholeheartedly agree that if a bra fitter makes you feel anything less than fabulous, they are not doing their job properly!! There should be NO judgement in a fitting room, other than that of the bra they are fitting. If a bra doesn’t fit, it shouldn’t be sold!!
M and s were awful. She tried to put me into a 44-f after measuring me (over my bra) with a tape and body shamed me about having a wide back. She also commented that I wear my bras tight, however that’s because the 42 she put me in buried me (I could get two hands in the back and pull it out whilst on tightest!!) and I’ve been taught you should buy bras when they fit you on the loosest as they give over time – I’d of gotten no wear out of it!! Debenhams told me to pick bras I liked in the size I thought I was and go from there – rather than assessing my currently bra and telling me then what size they thought! I was stood waitin ten minutes and just walked out. I then went to bravissimo who put me in a 38-gg panache superbra which fits like a glove and offers proper support, and a curvy Kate bra in a 40-g (they have less generous bands i feel) which was nice – but I hate soft cupped bra’s so much! I am however looking for a good plunge bra in a 40-g or generous 38-gg/h (I have a very full bust) so any suggestions would be amazing! Sorry about the huge post – but I’ve had recent bad experiences so I’m still annoyed haha! X
Brilliant post. Had so many bad experiences until I discovered Bravissimo 2 years ago.
The Idina plunge bra by Panache is amazing. As is their Porcelain plunge bra. I’m a 36H and they both give me a good shape and support. Hope that helps!
If you like the Panache Superbra, have you tried the Porcelain Plunge in that range? They make my boobs look like I’m a teenager again! They go up to an H, and are reasonably generous in the cup.
I can relate so much to the poor fitting experiences. I realised early on that I had to educate myself and have the confidence to ignore the advice of (sometimes) well meaning but poorly trained bra fitters.
Bravissimo have a couple of different plunge bras in at the minute that even accommodate my 38J/JJs. After eventually accepting that I’d never find a really deep plunge bra in my size I was amazed!
I’d also suggest the Curvy Kate Daily Boost, although more of a balconette shape it give a definite ‘oomph’ effect and the centre gore sits quite low. Unlike most of the Curvy Kates this one doesn’t suffer from the usual tight band problem so I’d order your usual size. Try Amazon if you have problems finding a stockist (I tried a couple who said they were getting more stock but it never seemed to arrive).
Oh, M&S. I remember going there for my first bra fitting when I was a teenager, maybe about 14 or so, and being fitted into a 40D. It was only when I went somewhere more reputable and I was fitted into a 36F (I’m now a 36H/38GG) that I saw the difference a good bra makes! I hate the hold M&S has over the high street. I mentioned to a large-busted friend the other week my plans for the day (get a new bra) and she said ‘oh, M&S?’ I wanted to scream! I know their bras work for some women, but they have no concept of breast shape, wire width, and so on.
As an aside, about 6 months ago I went to get measured to a reputable department store here in Dublin, and the fitter correctly said I shouldn’t be wearing a 38FF, my bra at the time. I knew she was right but she came back into the fitting room with some 40 bands and when I pointed out the gore wasn’t even nearly tacking, she said ‘oh, that doesn’t need to’. ARGH! I persevered and she eventually brought me the Panache Andorra Full Cup in 38GG which is one of my best fitting bras (still problematic in ways, but definitely one of the best I’ve tried). It’s seen better days now, due to overuse (and accidental machine washing…oops).
I’m sorry for my own huge response there – you resonated with me, as did George’s post! I’m in the middle of a bravolution and am posting to Bratabase and reddit’s /r/abrathatfits to find the best bra for me. And, next week I’m off to Bravissimo so I’m quite excited!
Debenhams for a nursing bra fitting. “You’re measuring a 40”.
I’m wearing a 36J- could you please bring some 36 and 38s to try out on the loosest hooks?
“OK but you’ll need a 40H”.
She brought a mixture – the 40 backs rode up. I bought a comfy 38J and a 38JJ for use when the milk comes in…
This makes me sad, I adore Debenhams 😦
I had just found your blog when I went for my first fitting, so I knew the basics of how a bra should fit. My bra was the most pitiful thing. A 40C that actually had paint all over it. I went to a department store all bright eyed and bushy tailed because their fitters are supposed to be the stuff. When I told the lady that I wanted a bra fitting she asked me why in front of God and everyone, so that was my first red flag. When I finally managed to convince her to come to the dressing room with me, she measured under my armpits, loosely, and came up with 46 D. My underbust measures 39 inches. After informing me that “Oh, we don’t carry that size!”, she brought me a 42 C, and I had to point out the major quad boob and band creeping up my back. She also kept telling me that it “makes you look so young!”. I’m 18. Needless to say, I didn’t buy anything, and I’m pretty sure my size is around a 38FF/G.
Holy crap! These people make me so mad!
Very true.I go to Turnbulls,Carlisle,Cumbria.Cant recommend them enough.The best.Love your blog
Oooh, another Cumbrian here – I never knew about Turnbulls, I will pay a visit next time I’m in Carlisle, thanks for the tip!
I find it amazing that I went through the depths of hell today in a dressing room trying to figure out what kind of bra I needed and more specifically try to answer the unfathomable question of “how the hell did I gain in cup size anyway?” Then I get online and I find this Blog…l mean…it couldn’t be more fitting (pardon the pun) for me to find this and read it. Thank you for making me see that it isn’t just me that goes through this crap. I thought I was a 44 GGG…I was wrong…I am a 46 H, but they didn’t have the 46, so I had to get an extender…Don’t get me wrong here, but really, aren’t tits supposed to stop growing in size eventually…I mean I am 42 years old. I wanted to crumble to the floor in the dressing room and cry. Talk about beginning my day out on an awful note. I spent less than 10 minutes finding the perfect dress for a formal night at my Tupperware convention. Not an easy feat for a woman who wears a size 26. But I was lucky, I found the right size in a dress that was not only on clearance, it was pretty…and very fitting to the formal night. Then I realized I would need one of those clear strap bras…or a strapless one…and me in strapless, well lets just not go there ok…I had to go to a different store, because they didn’t even have the size I thought I was. And that is where I found the depths of hell in the bra department. Thank you for the blog…I needed this today.
Sending love x
Laura – I totally feel your pain. I had a breast reduction when I was 20. I’m now 38 and I’m right back where I started. I hate buying bras so very much, and it seems like they wear out so fast, I have to do it fairly regularly. When I’m at a “regular” store and I see all those cute little lacy bras that are on sale for $10 bucks each, I just want to cry.
I’ve only been fitted once.
Built the confidence up, and went to John Lewis.
The very young girl who measured me, did it and then told me I’d need to go to a specialist store as they didn’t stock my size. The words weren’t so bad as the pitying face she pulled as she said it. 😦 I’m wearing 38H so hardly really unusual.
Never been measured since.
That’s the thing! The delivery needs to be appropriate!x
I had a brafitter try to cram me into a bra that was obviously too tight for me and causing me a great deal of discomfort, and when I shared that with her she said that I’d just have to get used to it. I was wearing 34HH back then and she tried to fit me into 30JJ or 30K. She also made me try the Fantasie Belle bra on, in which I had known I would look awfully in, but I did it just to humour her. Belle, in fact, makes me look like I have a pair of sandbags on my chest. Not the look I usually go for, as you can imagine. I said I didn’t like the way it looked on me and she felt honestly offended. Seriously. She shrugged and mumbled something like “it’s a matter of personal taste”. I left the shop without buying anything (if it was a cartoon I’d have had a “wtf” bubble over my head).
Oh my goodness! That’s terrible! Good for you for walking away!
In 1998 I had been fitted by M+S as a 42 or 44C, and was wearing ugly bras where the straps fell down, the back rode up and I was just desperately uncomfortable and would have to take it off as soon as I got home because the wires would rub sores under my arms.
In 2000, I was getting married and needed some pretty underwear to go with my dress and dreaded trying to find any in the size I thought I was, it was fugly bras all the way. I went to House of Fraser in Bluewater, Kent and was browsing through the bras despairing of ever finding anything, and one of the ladies came up and said “Excuse me, I think you are wearing the wrong size bra”.
We went into the changing room and she showed me how far out she could pull the back of the bra I was wearing and how it didn’t fit. She fitted me by eye and put me in two bras, 38F and a 36FF, one by Freya and the other Fantasie. All of a sudden I had boobs and a waist and I was amazed by how much difference a properly fitting bra made.
I now know how a bra should fit properly. I have bras in my drawer ranging in size from 38E, 38F, 36F, 36G and a single 34FF. They all fit how they are supposed to.
I will forever be grateful to the fitting lady in House of Fraser for showing me the figure (and comfort) that I can achieve when wearing a properly fitting bra.
This just goes to show that it is not the department store that is necessarily at fault but the individual fitters. It depends on how much they care and what they take in from their training and experiences.
Well, yeah… if a woman goes into a Victoria’s Secret and expects to be fit to the correct size, she is going to have a bad time! However, I am a professional bra fitter at a boutique that carries band sizes 28-56 & cup sizes AAA-KK… and I help several women EVERY DAY walk out of the store in a bra that they feel great in! As long as the store trains their fitters correctly and carries every bra size available– the fitters DO know what’s best.
‘As long as the store trains their fitters correctly and carries every bra size available– the fitters DO know what’s best.’
This is the point. Stores DON’T always train their fitters correctly (you yourself mentioned VS – many don’t know how bad their reputation is, and will happily go there believing they’re getting the correct fit) and they DON’T carry every size available.
My god where are you located so I can shop there????
This is a GREAT, GREAT, GREAT article. Finally! Someone that gets what my life is like – ha-ha.
EVERYTHING you write about how a bra should fit, we tell our customers. I also mention that I know they aren’t always going to come back to our shop so I want them to know how a bra should properly fit, each brand (even styles within a brand) will fit differently so don’t always try on the same size, go up a cup, down a band and/or vice versus sometimes. We teach them how a bra should fit them so they know themselves.
The more women know how a bra should fit and know what size to go to if the one they try on doesn’t, the easier bra shopping will be.
It makes me crazy when women come in promising left and right they are a 38DD only for me to tell them that many shops will put women in a 38DD because it’s the only size the store has that will fit around them.
Others say they were fitted once and they know their size, but I can tell by looking that the bra doesn’t fit. After talking to them, I find out that they’ve gained/lost weight (who hasn’t over the years?) and didn’t think it mattered enough in the bra area to get re-fit. Women gain and lose weight after childbirth, menopause, going to/avoiding the gym, or just because it happens. Weight shifts as time goes by – look at the shape of a 20 year old versus a 35 year old – even if you weigh the same as you did in high school, go in for a fitting. Weight shifts.
Without having them go in the dressing room, I ask women if they can put their finger between the bra and the center of their chest, if the back of the bra is parallel to the ground, if their straps are digging in, if their breast are coming out of the bottom of the cup, blah, blah, blah. (I usually get a “yes” after the first question or two.)
I could go on and on.
Anyway, thank you for writing a fantastic article. I wish you could stand at my doorway and tell every customer what you’ve written here. 🙂
P.S. To “Jo”, try Panache’s Sophie Nursing bras.
Fabulouslyfatfashion, look at Panache Tango Plunge, Loretta Plunge, and/or Andorra Plunge (my favorite).
I know they are expensive, but you always get excellent service from Rigby and Peller. My first fitting was a revelation and I still try to go back once a year just to make sure I am wearing the right size.
I once had a fitting done at La Senza (before they turned into the UK version of Victoria’s Secret and stopped supplying any bras above a DD cup….in ALL band sizes!), and the way I was treated in there was horrendous. As I removed my top and stood there in my bra ready to be measured, the young assistant (who happened to be very slim and almost flat-chested) gave me SUCH an evil look…her eyes went to my chest and up to my face and it was like daggers. Now I know I’m not exactly modestly endowed in the boobage area but there’s no need to give me judgemental looks! She then measured me, got the band size right but the cup size too small, told me to go look for the bras myself. After I’d tried on quite a few in what was supposed to be my size, I asked if they had any bigger cup sizes in a 32 band. The answer? “No, sorry.”
I have never had a bra fit me 100% properly as it’s usually a case of a 30 band being too tight, but the 32 is too loose, and the wires don’t sit neatly under my bust as my boobs are quite bottom heavy. As for getting custom-made ones, it’ll cost money I just don’t have. 😦
I had a great service from a specific lady in a la Zenzer shop I’m my local town which unfortunately has closed down she was lovely and took the time to let me change to different bras with out rushing me she listened to me about how uncomfortable or comfortable it felt and tweaked the straps and was lovely I’m now dreading going for another fitting as I’m over due the need to buy more bras as my last lot from that shop are now coming out of shape and no where near as comfy as they were but bad service I have had was when I went to buy a bra but could not find my specific size and was just told to go up a back size and down a cup which I find very uncomfortable and I was dismissed rudely being told it shouldn’t make a different but for me in my 32DD bras it did
i wa a 34e and went to look at bras in bhs, they didnt believe what size i was so fitted me and tried telling me i was a 34a the bra just covered a nipple and still tried saying that was my size
So great article !
I’m from France and here, we didn’t really have the “bra fitting tradition”. Let’s just say that 90% of saleswomen in lingerie shop are… well, real saleswomen !
So last time that I was in England, after reading some of your articles, I’ve made the most of my trip and visit a Bravissimo shop. What a delight to meet a really kind person, who put you immediatly at ease ! I thought I was a 40C but I’m actually a 38DD/36E (depends on the bra)!
Finally, I just wanted to thank you Georgina cause without you, I possibly still wearing my old bras ahah.
And for all the girls who lived in Manchester, feel free to visit the Bravissimo shop. Girls out there are perfect !
I fancy myself to be quite the proficient amateur fitter, and it is always frustrating to hear stories about women being given terrible fittings. It’s no wonder so many are wearing the wrong size, when most stores here (USA) rarely, if ever, promote a fitting. And that’s assuming they even know what they’re doing to start with!
It’s bad enough if they’re just pushing what’s clearly the wrong fit out of either laziness, or just trying to make a sale. But that translates into women spending 8+ hours a day in varying degrees of discomfort. Bah!
Keep spreading the word, y’all!
I’ve had really good experiences at Lane Bryant. They are always professional and polite to me. Actually got my first strapless/convertible recently and was thrilled. I’m 38F, always thought I was relegated to the pits of boring bra hell forever until I found Lane Bryant and Cassique bras. Every other attempt at bra shopping has been a failure, either my size wasn’t available or they only had horrid white or beige granny bras. If I never wear a boring white or beige bra again I’ll be so happy.
If anyone lives in the Boston area, I recommend Lady Grace, especially the Brookline store. Their fitters are great – knowledgeable and professional. I have three daughters who I take to “The Russian Ladies” now that they need fitting as well.
Ah, bra fitting! Something guaranteed to leave me in tears, leaving the store (any store) hating myself and my body. Sigh.
This is an excellent post by the way. I just discovered this blog, and I’m sharing it and perusing it with others I know who will appreciate it. I do have a question, and I’m hoping maybe you know the answer –
I’m definitely a bigger gal (I think my current bra is a 46 G), and one of my biggest headaches with my bras is the damn shoulder straps. They will NOT stay up. I adjust and adjust, but it seems like they just slip right out of adjustment. What is the trick? What should I be looking for??
And can anyone in the Seattle area tell me a good place to go to find nice bras and great fitters for someone my size (that isn’t Lane Bryant)??
Hey love, thank you!
Check this out:
http://fullerfigurefullerbust.com/2012/09/06/the-not-so-perfect-bra/
And maybe try a Nordstroms for bras?x
Can’t help you on finding a decent bra shop as I’m in the UK, BUT from personal experience having been fitted incorrectly in the past, falling down straps are often an indication that the back size is much too big.
I posted my fitting experience above, but long story short, I went from a 42C to a 36 or 38F/FF, and as soon as I was fitted with a smaller band, my bra straps stopped falling down. It’s to do with the construction of the bra and where the straps are sewn on – if they are wider apart than they should be for your size, they will fall off your shoulders as they are in the wrong place.
Thirteen years on from my first well fitting bra and I am *still* grateful every day for not having to haul my bra straps back up every twenty minutes or so.
Love this! I really needed this encouragement to go ahead and find a good bra fitter. The last time I bought a bra, it was fitted poorly and extremely painful to wear. That was a waste of $80! I have actually been wearing sports bras for the last year and a half because that was the only comfortable option that fit! If anyone knows of an excellent bra fitter and shop in the northeast USA, recommendations are appreciated!
My geography is terrible but:
http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/
And Nordstroms.
I hope you find someone 😦 xxx
If you are fortunate enough to live somewhere near the New Orleans area, I highly recommend Bra Genie (thebragenie.com) in Mandeville or Metairie. They are very professional and knowledgeable.
I brought my mom there first. Mom was all concerned about what size she was trying on. Our fitter told my mom not to worry about what size the bras were because we were only concerned with fit because every bra is different. That was went I knew this was gonna work. My mom left with several bras for normal wear & also some to wear on the tractor she uses to cut her 20 acres. I think she was in a 38DDD. She left wearing 36G and looked dynamite! I think she looked younger, too, without the droopy old bras.
I went back a few weeks later to get bras for myself. I had a major reduction/reconstruction back in 2003, so I have several issues with the shape of my breasts because they are steadily growing back. My fitter told me that she was familiar with my problem and brought me bras that really helped. I found several gorgeous bras that fit perfectly for regular wear & sports bras for walking & riding on my hubby’s motorcycle. Lane Bryant had me in a 40DD. Bra Genie put me in 36FF & 36G depending on brands. My bras no longer ride up in the back & the weight that was on my shoulders is mostly gone. The shape is better too. I look more natural. I’m not particularly concerned about my weight so I was also surprised that several people asked if I’d lost weight. My fitter educated me on proper care of my new investment and recommended a wonderful cleansing product. They also have a nice selection of panties (I got panties to match my bras! YAY!), shapewear & swimwear.All around a great experience! I will definitely go back. I’ve told all my friends to go, even if you can only afford to buy one at a time, you deserve at least one bra that makes you feel pretty!
Being young and growing fast i have been all over to find the best bra fitters and the best bras.. I found Bravissimo the best for me, M&S kept suggesting 38F’s and Debanhams well i had a full on argument on what was comfortable. whereas the women at bravissimo treated me as if i were the only person tere and they werent busy (which they were) at all she asked what i liked (36F) and suggested other sizes quiet calmly and gave reasons why they would be more comfortable … now I have found that depending on the shop i vary a lot however i will always try on different sizes just in case the style is different 😀
There’s a store in Kansas City that I used to love, but over time I felt their fitters were going more for the sale and less for the fit. As I was then visiting them on my annual trip to the area, I was very disappointed. They were fitting me into cups that seemed OK in the store, but once I got home they were obviously too small.
I’ve also had fitters pointedly tell me that my band was too tight, but if I go up one band size I’m constantly tugging it back down. That’s just how my body works. I really have to remind myself to study the bra fit and make sure I’m truly happy with it before buying it. Good thing I learned a lot about bras from all the lovely UK ladies online!
I usually start with 32G and faff around with sizes from there.
I had a wonderful experience in Bravissimo recently when I needed a strapless bra, and after trying a few different sizes in my ‘range’ I asked for help. The assistant explained that because my boobs sit quite high, strapless bras just don’t do what I’d want them to and she completely understands because she’s got the same problem. I got the closest fit I could with her help so I could still wear the dress I’d got for my birthday. I love the staff at Bravissimo because they’re never phased when I have to try 5 or 6 different sizes to get it right.