A World of Coincidence
January 31, 2011Librarian Chic
February 3, 2011Last week I got an email from Bravissimo.
It was inviting me to go and get measured for a bra in my local Bravissimo store and see what I thought of the fitting experience. Plus, get a free bra set to takeaway.
I was interested for 2 reasons.
Firstly, you did see free bra right?
Secondly, What Katie Did has recently carried out a bra sizing survey. Until I spoke to Katie at the Hendricks event it had never occurred to me that there had been a change in the way bras were sized over the years. That, however, is an article for a different time as I am waiting for some information from Bravissimo. Today I’m just reviewing my experience getting measured!
I am notoriously bad at getting measured for bras. In 1994 I was a 34B and since then I was pretty much guessing my size until I went for a fitting at a Bravissimo a couple of years ago. I can’t remember exactly what I was measured at, a fairly small back like a 30 I think and a fairly large cup, but having put on a *cough* few pounds *cough* since then I was interested to see what size I am now.
For a long time I thought I wasn’t booby enough to be measured at Bravissimo and that they were only for women with huge chests who had difficulty getting bras elsewhere and had to wear tops without buttons.
Not so. Yes, Bravissimo starts at a D cup. But if you take into account that many women are wearing bras too small, and the possible differences in the way you were measured 10 years ago then it’s entirely possible that women who currently believe they are wearing a B or C cup would actually be better off in a modern D cup.
On arrival I was ushered into a changing room. A changing room with a proper door, and lots of hooks, and a stool! Luxury! I was (politely) asked to take off my top by the lovely Alex. She then had a bit of a peek at the bra I was wearing currently, pointing out bits where it did and didn’t fit properly. She concluded that it was a good fit, but maybe a bit tight. She asked what size I was currently wearing, but I didn’t know, so she took a guess, left me with a catalogue and popped off to collect some bras to try.
Her first guess, a 34DD, was a bit too small in the cup so she fetched a 34E and also went off to fetch some styles I liked the look of in the catalogue.
At this point I also discovered which boob was my bigger boob. Frankly something it had never occurred to me to worry about before. Though I was aware in an abstract way that most women have one breast bigger than the other.
As I had chosen a balcony style bra with moulded cups I had to make sure that I chose a size that wouldn’t dig in on my bigger side, but didn’t gape on the smaller one. I have to say it was a far less stressful shopping experience than wandering aimlessly round a shop, finding all the bras you like aren’t available in what you *think* is your size and then finding out they don’t fit anyway and you have to get dressed and go back out again on the hunt. Alex was very patient about bringing endless different styles and even bringing in ones that I hadn’t mentioned but she thought I might like.
In the end I came home with this set. The Rhea bra in Powder (£33), which is a nice vintagey shade of ivory satin with a pretty dusky pink crochet lace trim.
Overall I was left with the impression that bra fitting is certainly more art than science! Regardless of what band size you may wear at a particular label the fit of the cups is as variable as the fit of a pencil skirt over a circle skirt. While you might need an E cup in moulded balcony bra, a full coverage soft cup bra might need a DD to get a good fit.
What was Good
All the Bravissimo staff I spoke to were very knowledgeable about the product range, breast physiology and bra sizing. They were able to tell me which products were changing design and discuss recent press coverage and news about Bravissimo. They also seemed enthusiastic about the job, which is rare in shop staff!
They didn’t just fit the bra, they explained what they were doing and how a bra *should* fit, making me more confident that if I tried a bra on in future I’d be able to chose the right size.
If you sign up to receive catalogues in store that starts you a file on the computer under which all your future purchases are stored. This might sound a bit Big Brother, but the idea is that you are able to return items without a receipt, a well as spying on how often you shop! Bravissimo guarantee their bras as long as they are hand washed, so if the wire comes out or it falls apart you can return it, even if you’ve lost the receipt. They also say you can come back and exchange the bra if you get it home and it’s not as comfortable as you first thought.
What was bad
The lighting in the changing rooms was pretty unflattering. It had an orange hue, made me look disturbingly pale and showed up every line and flaw on my face, which didn’t make me feel particularly good about myself! Something I could have done without while hanging around in my bra!
I wondered what the relationship WAS between torso measurement and bra size as no tape measures are used there is no mention of that at all, but it would be nice to at least be given a start point for band size and then be able to go up or down if a particular bra came in an unusual fit. It would also help people size themselves if they gain or lose a little weight.
I also wasn’t overly impressed with the selection of underwear available. Much of what was available in store veered towards the pink and floral or red and lacy ends of the spectrum, which aren’t particularly appealing to me.
The matching knickers in the sets were also fairly uninspiring, coming mostly in a choice of boy short or thong which the occasional low cut brief. It would be nice to see more thought put into the styling of the sets and some more variety available. I would have preferred a higher cut brief with my set, but as I haven’t worn a thong since an uncomfortable day in 2001 I was left with only the choice of boy shorts.
The Verdict
If you have trouble finding bras in the right size, or have no clue what size you really should be wearing then Bravissimo is a very good place to start. They have an excellent range of nice basic every day bras as well as some pretty styles and they’re excellent if you have trouble finding clothes that fit your bust.
If you like their designs, then you couldn’t pick a better place to shop! I’d certainly go back in future, but probably mostly for basics like T shirt bras, or to check out their clothing range. I’ll definitely check out their next catalogue when it drops through my door and if there’s a style that grabs my eye I’ll feel confident in ordering it after the advice I was given.
Don’t assume that the size you are given will be your size in every shop across the country though, or even in every bra in the Bravissimo shop. Bra sizes vary, just like clothing sizes, and getting the right fit will always be a case of trial and error.
Being fitted for your first bra used to be a milestone, and women would wear a specific brand and style of bra. As lingerie moves more into the fashion sphere the important role it plays in supporting our chests has been forgotten, and I applaud Bravissimo for their work in bringing back the idea that a bra isn’t just something you grab off the shelf and cross your fingers.
You can find out your closest store on the Bravissimo website
then just call them or pop in to make a fitting appointment
26 Comments
I’ve been wearing their clothes for a number of years. Even though the fit isnt perfect its better than everywhere else I’ve shopped for things like dresses. Its a shame theyre really quite expensive and very hit and miss with the fabrics and styles.
Not experienced the shop. I’m a firm rigby and peller girl when it comes to measuring. They dont use tape measures either.
ah a subject very close to my heart or should I say boob! I’m positively evangelical about getting a proper fit, having always been a larger than average cup size!!
I have ordered from Bravissimo and found them very good but my place of choice for fitting HAS to be Rigby & Peller, a better fit you won’t find anywhere and I always leave there feeling like a million bucks! Now since my skint days I haven’t visited so often and occasionally have been fitted elsewhere but nothing compares, and I always return.
Also re the torso and band size, all the given guidance never ever applies to me, so I can categorically say that measuring can’t work for everyone, though I agree this makes the whole bra buying scenario harder!
oooh can you tell how evangelical I am about this ha ha!!
There’s no Rigby & Peller near me, so I wouldn’t know.
They have some lovely styles on theit site though!
Great review. I often wonder about their products but I tend to find them a bit expensive unless they are having a sale.
I agree on the pants in the sets though, I often find a plain bra I like but not knickers.
They’re not cheap, but I never really thought of them as at the really expensive end of the scale.
fab post- i was in Bravissimo Norwich on monday being fitted for a sports bra ( for the race for life)
like others i am quite fanatical about their clothes- the shirts fit without the need for safety pins and i have had a number of dresses over the years too.
i am currently a 32 HH which equates to a size 12 curvy! but the styles can be hit and miss but are great for basic business wear- the staff are always fanastic- and have plenty of time
I’m a bravissimo girl through necessity! I’m sometimes disappointed with the choice, or the styles I like don’t go big enough, but their own brand bras are so well fitting for me and wearing the right size changes your shape! I do like their dresses as they fit my boobs and waist not one or the other. I always find their staff lovely too, and I love the tissuepaper wrapping. I also like the seating area in most of them for the mr as it’s never a 5 min trip! Maybe they should offer coffee too!
It’s absolutely true about most people not knowing what size you are. I am fairly averaged sized, and always thought I was a C, but turns out I am DD! And I’m also a much smaller back size than I thought. I got fitted at John Lewis a couple of years ago and now i know what to look for!
A lot of people find that in Bravissimo.
It seems there has been a change in the way High St shops like them measure bras. I’m waiting for some information on it!
This was really interesting! I went to M&S for a fitting a few years ago – I had been wearing a 36C and the woman in there told me I was a 32B – clearly not, but I tried on a few of the bras she suggested in case she was right and none of them were any good. I went to Bravissimo the following day and was told there I was between a 30E and a 32DD depending on time of month and shape of bra. I can’t honestly say it’s like, revolutionised my life or anything but it definitely made a difference – measuring me by eye and by fit produced a much better result than the lady in M&S with her tape measure did. Like you I didn’t think much of the offerings in Bravissimo and they are really expensive – the same bras by Freya are much cheaper in somewhere like Debenhams. The main thing for me is feeling more confident to try bras on to get a good fit and not worry quite so much about sticking rigidly to the size on the label – a bit like the discussion you had here about dress sizes.
It’s possible that an “old fashioned” 36C is actually the same size as 32DD! It’s the sizing that appears to have changed, not you.
I think you’re right – although the 36C definitely didn’t fit all that well, but much better than the 34B or whatever it was the lady in M&S suggested!
I agree about the choice of bras- the fit is great, but many of the designs, not so much. And the lighting in their fitting rooms is a bit of a funny shade!
I swear by Debenhams- specifically my local branch. SO helpful, thorough fitting ladies, know their stock.
I won’t start on why I don’t trust M&S…seriously it would make an hilarious blog post in its own right, not just a comment!
My worst experience was La Senza.
I was virtually in tears trying to get the 16 year old attendant to bring me a bra that fit. She made me feel like a fat old frump.
When I finally found one that was close enough and walked out the wire stuck came out after about 2 days. I will never buy from there again.
Do you know the wire comes out of my la senza bras too, how SHODDY.
Fab post! I would not have thought of going into a Bravissimo – or anywhere other than M&S to be honest.
I am fairly buxom (to put it mildly!) which is why having “…to wear tops without buttons.” tended to be my mantra!
I might just have to see where my local is.
Very informative and interesting!
Last time I needed a new bra, there were no fitters available, so I grabbed an armful of Triumph Doreens and tried them all on until I found one that was comfortable!
Love this post. Although I’m sadly slightly small boobed and wide backed. Which meant bravissimo only had one bra that fit me a 40 D by their sizes. I thought it would improve with washing but its still itchy on the lacy bits. Shame though cos it was great service.
Oh and the fitter was insistant I should not be able to breathe. I don’t think she could believe that my rib cage (and flab) were so wide.
I have to say, I’m a Bravissimo fan – I am fortunate enough to have one in my hometown, though, so it’s very little effort to be! I do agree that the range isn’t all it could be, but it’s improving, I think, and they seem very helpful and responsive when contacted. And I’ve just bought the first properly fitting button down blouse I’ve had in *years* from there!
They are apparently launching a new clothing brand, too, which I’ll watch with interest as the current range is fairly limited.
I’m another Rigby and Peller fan! I have been measured twice by Bravissmo, both times I have sacked the bras they sold me, due to them rubbing me and being uncomfortable.
Good fitting underwear is sooo important.
a good fitting is essential. Not only do your boobs look better in what you are wearing, your posture looks better and your back is far less likely to give up on you.
Backache (under-estimated)is the source to many of lifes problems – including stress and depression.
I recommend @tracey_jane at http://support4women.net/
I _love_ Bravissimo. I was fitted once when I was in London (I live in Sweden) and though it was the size I usually wear (36 FF) it is great to be able to order pretty bras in teh rigth size for a good price. Because if you have over an E-cup Bravissimo actually isn’t expensive, but very reasonable, you usually have to pay the double for a good quality bra in an F or G-cup.
Hi,
Missy Vintage recommended you to me being a fellow Norwich girl!
I loved this post, so unbelievably jealous you got free underwear. I do love Bravissimo but find it a bit pricey for me. The only thing I own from there is a basque I bought for my wedding and its the best fit of anything I own. How were you lucky enough to get free stuff?? xx
I love this post! Being a tiny back size and rather larger cup size I had never ever found a bra to fit correctly until I discovered Bravissimo. I also have lower back pain so am aboiut to research basques and corsets (Might as well look and feel good while straightening my spine!) anyone any advice?!