*Girly stuff warning* Need advice for getting a bra fitting

[laurajetter]

Ok, you've been warned so I will get right into it! I've always bought the cheapest bras out there, have never been in a Victoria's Secret (or similar), and have never had a bra fitting.

I have a 13 month old son and am still nursing. My size I know has gone up tremendously since pregnancy/birth/milk coming in and after a year my neck and shoulders have really taken a beating! I am almost constantly strained and uncomfortable and I am almost positive it's because my chest is bigger and are poorly supported. If I lift up my chest with my hands (sorry for the silly visual! ) I can feel the strain start to disappear almost instantly.

I HATE underwire, so I don't want to wear that kind but I know I need something with a lot of support. To be honest, I have been wearing sports bras because they are so comfy, but the lack of support is really getting to me. I have heard that the majority of women wear the wrong bra size and should get fitted; I have seen on a couple of fashion shows women who say it made a WORLD of difference.

Anyway, I think I am going to have to go in for a fitting, but do you have any recommendations for where to go? I want to go somewhere where I will get someone who is very knowledgable and helpful, especially since I am still nursing. I don't want a sales associate picking out just any old bra for me, I want someone who really knows what they are doing and can really help me. I feel like a lost little puppy in the bra section, so I want someone I can trust!

Is Victoria's Secret the best place to go or are they overrated? I called to find out about bra fittings and asked a few questions and aside from telling me yes they do bra fittings and no I don't need to make an appointment, the young girl on the phone didn't really seem that knowlegeable or helpful.

Anyway, any advice for where to go/what to look for would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Laura

 

[grinningghost]

I had the best fitting at, of all places, Penney's. The fitter was an older lady, and trust me, she knew her stuff.

I've heard similar stories from others - get an older woman at a major department store (Macy's, Penney's, etc.) and you'll be OK.

 

[MrsPete]

Ugh. Bra fitting. I've had a horrible time finding bras that fit for the last few years. I know that I look best in an underwire bra, but I want A FEW bras without underwire because they're just plain more comfortable! Sadly, the bra-makers seem to have decided that anyone over a B cup MUST have underwire at all times.

I had a bra fitting, and it did not make a world of difference; a state's worth, maybe, but certainly not a world of difference. I wear a 34D, which is just impossible to find.

If I were you, I wouldn't spend big-bucks on bras while you're still nursing. You'll change sizes once you're finished nursing. Still, I understand what it's like to be uncomfortable all the time.

If you find a good answer, please share it with the rest of us!

 

[Hercules10]

Ya'll knew I hadda take a peek in here....

 

[laurajetter]

Ya'll knew I hadda take a peek in here....

I knew there'd be someone who couldn't resist!

 

[vetrik]

I would suggest looking for an independent local store, or asking for suggestions if you know any women who have gone.

Last month I went for my first bra fitting at a local store which had been recommended to my friend for bridal undergarment fittings (she's getting married in December). I can feel such a difference when I wear the right size now, and it makes you look thinner! Unfortunately, now I'm in a size that I have a difficult time finding in Walmart or Target (where I always bought my bras before!) so I spend more on them. I just went back there yesterday and bought a strapless bra to go under my bridesmaid dress.

 

[disneymom3]

I had the best fitting at, of all places, Penney's. The fitter was an older lady, and trust me, she knew her stuff.

I've heard similar stories from others - get an older woman at a major department store (Macy's, Penney's, etc.) and you'll be OK.

ME too! Also an older lady totally on top of the whole industry I tell you. She brought in three bras, I liked one of them better than the others and have purchases several of the same ones since then. And JcPenney has a card you can get for them to punch and after you purchase a certain number of bras you get one free or discounted. (Can't remember.)

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

I'm with these other ladies!

I had the best bra fitting at JC Penny's. Like the previous posters said, she was an older lady. Man, she really helped me find the correct size.

Good Luck!

 

[ryanmilla]

Ya'll knew I hadda take a peek in here....

Hey Herc, fancy meeting you here. Scoot over.

 

[sleepyone]

I agree, there are usually older ladies working in the nearest J C Penney and Dillards lingerie sections. They can pretty much look at you and guess your size...LOL.

 

[MoniqueU]

While I can't stand Pennys I would go there over Victorias Secret. I only wear Victorias Secret but at least at my stores the people working there are barely out of training bras themselves and don't know much about anything other then fashion and looking sexy.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Victoria's Secret is very overrated and their bras are poorly made for the price, IMO.

I recommend JC Penny or Nordstrom for a bra fitting. I've had great success at both stores and those women really know their stuff!

I am a hard-to-size but I didn't know it until I was fitted. I now look better, my clothes fit better, and I'm so much more comfortable it is worth a little extra effort to hunt down my size and the salesladys at both Pennys and Nordstrom are great about helping me.

 

[tink2dw]

When Oprah had her show about poorly fitting Bras she had Macy's Bra Fitters. Is there a Macy's near you??

They said the band under the cups has to fit perfectly so it says down and doesn't ride up, when the straps are adjusted and that the straps SHOULD NOT carry the weight.

And they said most women DO NOT know there proper size!

 

[pezheadmeg]

Bali makes several bras with no underwire but with full support. Go for a fitting, (not all fitters are the little old ladies, but even as a trained fitter I admit I go to them!) yes you might feel molested and violated at first, but after you walk out looking 20 pounds thinner you'll know it's worth it. Rule of thumb is to go for a fitting with every 10 pound weight fluctuation. Yes it's a pain, but to have the girls where they belong is priceless.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Just another vote for Penny's, especially if you are looking for a nursing bra(I doubt Victoria's Secret has any). The price will be less at Penny's too. I know you said you don't like underwire but I have found that a properly fitted underwire is more comfortable and flattering.

 

[disneymom3]

While I can't stand Pennys I would go there over Victorias Secret. I only wear Victorias Secret but at least at my stores the people working there are barely out of training bras themselves and don't know much about anything other then fashion and looking sexy.

In a thread awhile back about girls with big girls I decided to go for a fitting but I clearly stated that if it was some young thing in 32 B I was NOT going to do it! I liked my old lady. It was kind of reminiscent of seeing the lactation consultant though.

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

Dillard's. I used to work in the lingerie dept and we all had to go to a bra fitting meeting training. Got a certificate and everything. Therefore anyone in there shoud be able to help ya.

 

[Lizzy2]

I have heard that Nordstroms is the best.

 

[Lil_Tink]

Best fitting I have ever gotten would be at Nordstrom.

 

[FreshTressa]

Victoria's Secret is very overrated and their bras are poorly made for the price, IMO.

I recommend JC Penny or Nordstrom for a bra fitting. I've had great success at both stores and those women really know their stuff!

I am a hard-to-size but I didn't know it until I was fitted. I now look better, my clothes fit better, and I'm so much more comfortable it is worth a little extra effort to hunt down my size and the salesladys at both Pennys and Nordstrom are great about helping me.

My thoughts exactly! VS bras have not held up well for me. My walmart bras have done better.