Too Small for Bravissimo? Other Recommendations

by LJR 23rd August 2013, 6:42 am

Hiya, next week I am up in London for a couple of days and I was going to go and get measured for a new bra - very exciting - because where I live doesn't have the largest selection.

My biggest problem is that I am small on my back measurement. At the moment I am measuring (in my 32C Triumph Extreme) a 28" back and 35" bust. So in old-fashioned measuring I am a 32C which I believe is too small for Bravissimo.

My question is - should I still pop into Bravissimo? Does anyone have any other recommendations for lingerie shops in central London? I am usually an online shopper and I am happy to do that however I am not totally convinced I actually know how a bra should properly fit and feel!

I went into M&S yesterday to try some sizes and nothing fitted comfortably and I tried a huge range of sizes!

Help Blush

by **Charlii** 23rd August 2013, 7:18 am

Hey. If your measuring a 28" back, you dont need to add the 4 any more! You're likely a 28! Adding the 7 for 35...Id say you might be a 28F!

Id still pop into Bravissimo, a lot of gals are pleasantly surprised. But theres a Boux Avenue in Wesfields mall in White City thats good, thats where I got measured and kitted out.

Stay away from La Senza and Ann Summers by all accounts, and the Departments stores are OK, but not great.

Happy bra hunting :)

by Bizzyboobs 23rd August 2013, 7:30 am

Hi Hunni, bra shopping will be so exciting for you..... London has many shops, now including a " Victoria secret" which suppose to be amazing... Personally I've never had bras from there but my sister in law swears by them there for measuring and the quality of underwear. I think they are a bit more expensive but a little treat now and then doesn't hurt anyone....( just the bank balance) they have opened one in the Trafford centre too, where I'm going next week but unfortunately won't be able to get one yet as don't know size...... But am going to wait for bit after B.A and treat myself.......
Happy shopping xx

by Lisa34 23rd August 2013, 7:36 am

You should definatly take a trip to bravissimo hun! You are definatly big enough!! Take no notice of the old way to measure, it's a useless system!

by Bexx9 23rd August 2013, 7:50 am

Ooooh I didn't know there was a VS in the Trafford... Will definitely be heading there
Enjoy your London shopping trip (Jel)

by jodioc77 23rd August 2013, 8:04 am

Interesting thread, Charlie do all shops do away with the add on 4 for back measurement now? Before my op I measured under my bust as 31, so would this make me a 32? I have always worn a 34. Not measures across my new boobs yet, can't wait to get Measured!

by LJR 23rd August 2013, 8:18 am

Thank you so much for your replies.

Why oh why is bra fitting so confusing?

I have a plan! I am going to Covent Garden for lunch when we arrive so I will go to Bravissimo and then I will go Victoria Secret. Unfortunately Boux Avenue is a bit too far out on this trip, though I have looked at their website and they look gorgeous.

by **Charlii** 23rd August 2013, 8:24 am

Its not an absolute science, but pretty much. If you look online they all still say to add the extra, but if I did this, I'd be 36AA. Im clearly not! I measure 31/35.5, and got fitted into 32DDs depending on the material (some bands with less give we tried 34Ds, but the cups just arent as snug)

5stonedown posted a great link to a wiki how that gives you a guideline to measuring. I think this is why so many of us are surprised we're bigger than we thought, because we've been wearing too big a band size. No wonder my wires were always riding up, i was in 4" too big!!

by jodioc77 23rd August 2013, 8:59 am

Thanks charii I just looked at that link it does explain it well. I can't wait to find out what I am. I keep thinking I look like about a child cup but having had 405cc I I am hoping they might be a bit bigger, especially if I have been wearing wrong band size :)

by **mrsball** 23rd August 2013, 9:14 am

You'll definatly be big enough for bravissimo Hun, not only that if you are a 28 back they stock a wide range of sizes for that back, I'm also a 28 back.
Pop In there hun and Theyre very helpful and you'll get propley fitted x

by jakki32 23rd August 2013, 9:57 am

When I measured myself I was a D cup, I am bigger then that, so get fitted properly Hun . You are definitely not too small for Bravissimo. As you are in London there are loads of big Dept stores, House of Fraser etc , so you have plenty of options . Xxx enjoy your visit xxx

by LJR 23rd August 2013, 10:50 am

Great advice, thank you - I will let you know how I get on - though I'm not much of a shopper so I suspect two or three different shops are going to be my limit!

by **COOKIE** 23rd August 2013, 10:55 am

Most women have a BIG surprise after having their first fitting. Sportsbras hold our new boobs tight and stable and we don't actually get to see their full potential until we are actually fitted into our first wired bras.

Make the appointment for Bravissimo babe.... Its such an exciting time - like Christmas! yipee

I really wouldn't advise anyone to use ANY guides for their 'first' fitting. Its best to have a fitter do this for you hun. Xx

by LJR 23rd August 2013, 11:28 am

Thank you Cookie x

I must admit my sports bra certainly does hold them in place - which is obviously what I want - but I do feel like it is on the verge of being a bit too small. I am hoping it will naturally stretch a little as most bras do.

I mostly wear my "extreme" sports bra throughout the day because I am a bit of a fitness freak so am doing some sort of exercise at regular intervals! Am I alright wearing my heavy duty sports bra this much? If I go out I wear my softer support sports bra, and at night I wear my M&S sports bra that is softer again and a little bigger.

Any advice gratefully received as usual x

by **COOKIE** 23rd August 2013, 11:34 am

The triumph extreme is an excellent bra hun and there's no need at all to change if you're still comfortable wearing it. The purpose of the bras is to hold those implants steadily in place. They need that stability during recovery to enable them to adhere to the pocket.

If I remember rightly, you were given permission very early on by your surgeon to do some lower body excercising, but do take things easy babe.

Your triumph is just fine but if you feel its so tight its uncomfortable now then maybe the M&S one would be better for you now. I am however presuming that the excercise you're doing isn't putting any pressure at all on your upper body. Xx

by LJR 23rd August 2013, 11:53 am

My extreme bra is very comfortable, so that's obviously all good!

I am not doing any upper body exercise at all, and I have chosen not to start running or swimming yet - it doesn't "feel" right yet.

I am cycling, but my technique is pretty good so there is no pressure on my upper body at all, just the odd bump on the road! But this is not at all uncomfortable, so I can highly recommend my sports bra. I am also doing ab exercises without upper body movement, so that's all fine as well.

Every day they feel a bit more like "me" ifkwim - love them, wish I had been brave enough to have them done before.

by **COOKIE** 23rd August 2013, 11:58 am

The triumph Triaction extreme is a bra I used for my last recovery after finding out in a survey it came out tops over all sportsbras, so I can see why you love it.

I loved it too and boobies don't budge an inch in those babies do they!

Great bra indeed yes

by jenniferrf1 23rd August 2013, 12:17 pm

Let us all know how you get on if you go bravissimo, like the ladies have said im sure your be in for a surprise :D xx

by Blueeyedsoul13 23rd August 2013, 11:04 pm

hun you'll absolutely be big enough for bravissimo!

i agree with charlii on her sizing guess :)

a small back size like 28 can be tricky to get hold of, especially with bigger boobs, but bravissimo will surely be able to help you there.

if you book an appointment in advance they will make sure to have a 20minute slot for you, as apparently they can get busy especially on weekends.

i'm booked in for tomorrow for my first fitting, very excited :) x

by LJR 24th August 2013, 5:34 am

Ok, thank you, hadn't though of that, I am going on Wednesday but I expect I would be wise to book an appointment any way x

by LJR 30th August 2013, 7:40 am

Hello all - an update that may help some of you!

I booked a fitting at Bravissimo, the ladies were lovely and I bought a couple of gorgeous bras - I measured at 30E!

We then went to Victoria's secret in Bond Street, the shop is amazing. However I am so glad I went to Bravissimo first, I didn't get measured at VS but my daughter did and I didn't feel they were quite so knowledgeable and also the smallest band size they do is 32.

Boux Avenue was too far to go on this trip, but I would certainly like to try them at some point.

So yet another recommendation for Bravissimo x

by **Charlii** 30th August 2013, 8:18 am

Ah see, I wasnt too far off! Glad you're pleased with the results. I may have to visit the Reading branch after my check up next week!

by Lee123 30th August 2013, 11:54 am

Do you have to book an appointment for Bravissimo? I haven't had any fittings yet! Im in a 32c sports bra so not sure if I will be big enough for there!

by **COOKIE** 30th August 2013, 11:54 am

Really happy for you lovely dance

by tinkerbell24 30th August 2013, 3:16 pm

Lee your aswell to make an appointment cause they are always so busy and if you ake an appointment then you have much more time to discuss size and bra options

Congrats on size!! xx

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