STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Metric · Gucci

bra fitting

Kelly · Hermes

You're in Canada, right? I'm not sure about what stores you have, but I've heard great things about Nordstrom. Really, the best place to go is a smaller lingerie shop/boutique that has a large range of sizes (mine has 30AA-58K or something insane like that). Too many places will try to just put you in anything they have just to make a sale - so if you fall out of their size range, they'll put you in something they do carry and basically just pretend that it's your correct size.

Honestly, I'd drive a couple hours for a quality bra fitting. It's remarkable how much better you look & feel.

Alikat · Kate Spade

I recently was fitted at Nordstrom and it was great. It was totally non-awkward, the SA was fantastic and brought me some great bras. Their bras are a bit pricey but also really good bras. I finally feel like I'm wearing the right size!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I had a fitting at nordstrom yesterday! It was great! The woman was very professionla, so it wasn't super awkward and she helped me find both the right size for me and things thta were cut well for me. she had me try on about a million bras and really, some brands and some styles fit so differently even in the same size.

I ended up spending over $200 on new bras, but it was because I had been wearing a totally wrong size. I look a million times better in the new ones. But there wasn't any sales pressure at all.

i hada fitting at VS a year or so ago, and I didn't think they did a good job at all. i actually left without buying anything. they measures over my clothes (including over the bra that I had on), told me a size, and that was it. Plus, I just don't really like their bras very much.

So I guess I'd say go to a high end department store to get it done. I'm not sure what you have up there, but anything like a Nordstrom, Saks, NM would probably be great.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

If you ever go to NYC, go to Top Shop for a fitting--those ladies know their bra sizes. They're super knowledgeable and really help you look your best. And I second the Nordstrom rec. I've been fitted at both, they both measured the same size for me and both suggested Wacoal as a great super supportive everyday bra--and they were right! Chantelle's great too by the way.

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

DO NOT GO TO VS!!!! I repeat, NO VS! They do NOT know what they're doing. The last time I got measured there, about a year or so ago, they told me I was a 34C. I'm actually a 34DD.

I will also recommend Nordstroms! The woman there simply put one hand around my ribcage, where the bra sits and told me my size. Turns out after trying stuff on, that she was right. They really know their stuff there and it's worth getting to one if you can!

Kelly · Hermes

CarrieS wrote:

DO NOT GO TO VS!!!! I repeat, NO VS! They do NOT know what they're doing. The last time I got measured there, about a year or so ago, they told me I was a 34C. I'm actually a 34DD.

I know someone who worked there, she said that even in the training video they told them to put you in whatever size they have on hand instead of actually confess that you aren't in a size they offer.

They told my friend that she's a 34B, and I swear she's at least like a D. But since I pushed her to get a fitting and that's where she decided to go (despite my other in-town recs), she tries to use that now to "prove to me" that she's been in the right size all along.

I've never heard of them fitting anyone correctly. Even people who are within their range. And the stupid thing is, last time I was in there I saw a little pamphlet on how to determine your correct bra size! Even their models (in their catalogs AND the pamphlet!) weren't in the correct sizes!

ETA: Sorry, I get a little fired up about bra fittings. Even when I see someone's ill-fitting bra throught their shirt or something, it grates on my nerves the whole time I'm around them ashamed

-- Edited by ttara123 at 23:29, 2008-04-13

calico · Kenneth Cole

I'm in Canada too (I think you know that), and I would go to one of the high end bra stores. I can't remember if you ended up moving or not, but there's a few really nice bra stores in a couple malls here.

Also, what about Holt Renfrew? I've never been there for bras, but they offer great service all around so I bet their lingerie department staff is really helpful and knowledgeable.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I wouldn't drive 6 hours for VS. Is it just me or do VS bras run big? Or maybe they stretch out?

I was planning on going to a professional fitting myself (there are lots of options where I live) but planned on holding off bc I am losing weight (and its dropping drastically from my boobs!)

ttara123, any tips on measuring at home? I went to http://lindasonline.com/ and measured, they declared I am a 40F meanwhile I'm wearing a 36C.

Kelly · Hermes

XtinaStyles - you have a PM

ETA:

and FWIW, I just went to lindasonline and tried it and it gave me a really wrong size, too. It tried to tell me that I was incalculable because I had a cup size larger than J. Um...wrong. I have no idea what their calculator is doing, but it is all around broken, it seems biggrin

-- Edited by ttara123 at 20:13, 2008-04-14

Elle · Hermes

That size says I should be wearing a 32DD/F.

In. My. Dreams.

I'm a 32B!

Ixnay on the VS. I'd also recommend Nordstrom or a specialty bra shop - more sizes and maybe even more importantly more brands to try.

blubirde · Chanel

VS blows. Last time I got a fitting there they told me I was C cup and I'm barely a B. It was totally bizarre because every bra they gave me had enough room in the cup area to fit three or four chicken cutlets.

Am I wrong or is the correct way to measure a bra size to measure your rib cage right below/underneath your breasts (below for me since mine are small but maybe underneath for bigger ladies), that gives you the number bit, and then measure across the fullest part of your breasts (i.e. nipples). Whatever the difference is is the cup size (1" = A, 2" = B, etc.).

Does that sound right to anyone else?

Kelly · Hermes

Here's a bare-bones way to determine your bra size:

First, you need to find your band number. Measure just under your bust, at the crease where your breast meets your ribcage. Measure all the way around your back, making sure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor. Make sure you are holding this snugly. Add five inches to this measurement. This is your band number. For example, if you measure a 33 inch ribcage circumference, your band size is approximately 38.

Second, confirm this measurement by measuring under your arms, across your back, and around the top of your chest. This number should be equal to the band size you calculated in the beginning (in this example, 38 inches).

Third, you need to determine your cup size. With your best-fitting bra still on, measure around the fullest part of your bust line. In this example, letâs say you took a bust measurement of 41 inches. To calculate your cup size, subtract the band measurement from the cup measurement. In this example, 41-38=3 inches. Every inch represents a cup size, so the final bra size would be a 38C.

1"= A cup
2" = B
3" = C
4" = D

(if the difference is larger than 5 inches, you'll have to consult size charts. After D cup every country has its own sizing system. It's complicated and ridiculous)

HerRoom.com also has an excellent bra fitting section with about a gazillion topics:

http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-advice,901,30.html

HTH!

(p.s. blubirde you have a PM)

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Whats up wth adding 5 inches? I always thought your band size was an exact measurement. Some websites say to add 5 inches some say not to - I think thats a big difference!

Kelly · Hermes

I don't know why they didn't make the bands exact measurements. I read something once that explained why, but I forget now hmm

My exact measurement is 27, but I wear a 30 band. The measurements themselves only give you a good approximation of what your size should be. For example, with a 27-inch ribcage I originally put on a 32 band, but when I put it on it's apparent that the band is too big and I have to go down a size. I've worn a 28 before on especially stretchy bands, but only a handful of times.

jacL · Coach

I have heard the complaints about VS but they have always sized me the same as any other store. They size me at 32B but I can wear a 34 A as well.