Bra Fitters are Failing Most Full-Figured Women
An interesting article was posted in the United Kingdom Telegraph recently. A London consumer watchdog group called Which? sent eleven mystery shopping women with cup sizes of DD or larger to 70 stores in the high street area to see how well they would be fitted in bras by the so-called experts in each store.
The results? Only 29% of the bras sold to these women were rated as a ‘good fit.’ But even then, none of the eleven women felt the service they were provided at any of the stores warranted a recommendation.
Many of the women from the watchgroup were sold wildly different sizes. For one of the women, two different shops had fit her in bras that differed in cup sizes by 7 sizes. Another went to the same store in two different locations–one sold her a 34C, the other a 34F.
Now, I have written on this before. Yes, there are hard-working bra fitters out there who do a very good job of getting women into the proper bra size. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know which are good and which are not. And, keep in mind, that if they can convince you that you are a different size than what you walked in wearing, they can probably talk you into buying several new bras. The temptation is simply too great to get you into a different size – especially if the fitter is working for a commission or piece of the sale.
I have said this before, so I’ll gladly say this again. I think we women are smart enough to figure out what size we are with a better understanding of bra sizing and how to translate your fitting symptoms into size changes.
I’ve spent hours researching and writing about bra sizing. Simply go to the HerRoom Bra Fitting Advice section located at the bottom of each page of HerRoom.com. There are over 40 pages that I hope will answer any questions you may have on how a great-fitting bra should look and feel.
Read earlier posts about proper bra fitting and about understanding cup sizes.
Find bras at HerRoom in these departments:
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I couldn’t agree with you more. I wore a 34 DD for years. As I gained weight I moved on to a 36. Eventually, I was fitted for a 38 D, by a fitter who told me, “no way are you a DD.” Several years ago, a another fitter also put me in a larger band size. At that time, i was plagued by constant backaches. I felt that, maybe my bras were too tight so i bought band extenders. Two years ago, while bra shopping at my local Dillard’s store a fitter asked what size I was looking for. When i answered “38-40 D” she said, “no way are you a 38 or 40.” She measured me and declared me a 34 DDD. She sold me two bras in 34 G (Modern brand) and I went home without any backache. I’ve not had one since. It was shortly thereafter that I found Her Room. Since 34 DDD is not an easy size to find in dept store I’m a huge fan of Her Room where I can also find just what I need.
By the way, I don’t measure exactly 34 DDD but that is a perfect fit and I wear the unlined type bra, no cookies, no molding. Chantelle Legend is my favorite. I’ve just lost 20 lbs and think my new size is a 32 DDD. The 34DDD cup is a little loose in the cup now and the band is not tight.
Comment by Martine
April 29th, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
Ugh. Tell me about it. I’ve been experiencing/hearing about this for years so I decided to put my own shop up.
Love the site by the way.
Comment by Claire
June 15th, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
i had a bad experience with a fitter as well and I don’t trust them. Finding a good bra is like finding a needle in a hay stack. I have recently tried the genie bra which is similar to the as seen on tv ahh bra which fits quite well although doesn’t give the best support. Its very comfortable because you don’t have to deal with hooks or straps and you choose your size based on your shirt size.
Comment by Amy
September 5th, 2011 @ 11:00 am
This article sounds so fimilar I am 15 years old and have always had a large chest and up untill today believed I was a 36D. As it turned out I am a 30 F or 30 DDDD. the woman who sold me my 36 D bras worked at Victorias secret and simply wanted me to buy something and since they don’t carry DDD or above she told me I was a 36 D!!! I owe my constant back pain to her
Comment by Katherine
September 11th, 2011 @ 5:49 pm