I follow several blogs and this one, fullerfigurefullerbust
by Georgina is always a great read and full of information and
inspiration. This blog speaks to so many different issues. check out her
blog to see why she is so great.
She offers her advice to bra fitting and customer service and understanding what a correct bra fit is….
In an ideal world this is how I would like everyone’s bra fitting
experience to go in EVERY STORE. A girl can dream, indulge mine…
Upon entering the lingerie store/department it would be nice to be
acknowledged by a member of staff within a few minutes. They don’t have
to come over and try to sell something but just make me aware that they
have noticed me so that I feel welcome – buying lingerie is a personal
and sometimes an embarrassing thing to do for some women. When I ask for
a fitting I would like to be given one or at least be offered to be
booked in for one in the near future, bearing in mind that it may have
taken a lot for me to pluck up the courage to even do that as I may be
shy and ashamed of my body.
When I go in for the fitting I would usually expect to keep my own bra
on and be assessed in that. There should not be a tape measure in sight!
The fitter should ask me what size the bra is and how long I have had
it for whilst checking how loose the band is and how I am sitting in the
cups. I would then expect them to bring me several sizes around what
they think I am, for example, if I am in a newish bra that is a 32 and I
am already on the tightest hook and I am spilling out of the G cups
then I’d like to be brought some 28HH/J and 30H/HH backed bras to try
on. If they do not have such sizes in stock then I would like to be
given a rough idea of what I may be and politely told that unfortunately
those sizes are not currently in stock and maybe they could order some
in for me or advise where I might find such sizes. Making a quick sale
that then doesn’t work well for a woman is not as important as gaining
the respect of the customer who will not forget such excellent service
and will recommend it to others.
I would like the fitter to pull on the band, adjust the bra straps and
ask me to try my top/dress on over the top of the bra so that I can see
what kind of shape and look I am given and what the cut of the bra is
like. The fitter should explain about the function of the bra. They
should tell me how the band is there to give the majority of the support
and that is why a tight firm band is necessary or else the shoulders
will take the strain and this will cause aches and pains and discomfort.
A loose band will ride up at the back causing the cups to sit lower at
the front and making the wearer hunch over. They should explain how yes
it may feel very tight and uncomfortable at first but bras need breaking
in (just like shoes!)
and so it may take a few wears before it becomes less noticeable. The
straps should be tightened enough to give a good shape but not so much
that it pulls the cups up onto the breasts. The underwire needs to sit
under the breasts and the central gore flat between them. I would want
the fitter the make sure I am completely happy in the bra that they have
fitted me in and stress that my size may differ from brand to brand,
but thanks to the tips they have given me I should be able to fit myself
until my next fitting in a few months time.
You wouldn’t sell a car to someone who didn’t know how to drive it
and yes, that may be a drastic comparison but it should apply to bras.
They can be the difference between a women hating or loving her body,
between considering surgery or celebrating her curves, between having
crippling back pain or walking tall. Bra fitting is not a matter that
should be taken lightly and not something that should be undertaken by
women who don’t really understand every aspect of a bra and what it can
and cannot do. It’s not asking for too much as shops like Bravissimo and
Leia can do it and do it well so come on the rest of the high street,
if this 23year old waitress can do it then so can you! Increase your
size selection, brush up on your knowledge and make us proud of our
perky perfectly encased breasts, no matter what size or shape we are!
