Who doesn't love lingerie? I have always been disappointed with the high streets offer of lingerie though - always rubbish selection of sizes and back sizes WAY too big! I am quite a petite lady and have always pretty much wore a 32DD/30E. I was invited for a fitting at the Bravissimo store in Liverpool and the lovely fitter, Steph, actually fitted me as a 28F. They don't do fittings using measuring tapes, simply by looking and trying on lots of different sizes. I think this is a good way because different brands have different sizing trends. I have bought a few bras from Bravissimo before but the last bra I bought from there was over a year ago and I think since starting running I have lost some weight from my back and chest, hence why I went down to a 28F. I've wore my bra a few times now and I can definitely tell the different! I was always tightening the straps and pulling them off my shoulders but I haven't had to do this once with this bra and it definitely gives me a better shape. The colour of it is so so gorgeous too and making me feel very springlike.
Whilst I was there I also tried on a t-shirt from their new clothing range, Pepperberry, so that I could see how my bra fitted with a scoop neck t-shirt. The clothing range is great for who sometimes have to buy a size bigger just so they have space for their boobs, but then the rest of the clothes are baggy. (Don't you HATE that?) I tried this one on but sadly it was too big for me in the size 8 curvy. However I think their shirts and blouses are a great idea - no more boob flashing while wearing shirts!
Whilst I was there I also tried on a t-shirt from their new clothing range, Pepperberry, so that I could see how my bra fitted with a scoop neck t-shirt. The clothing range is great for who sometimes have to buy a size bigger just so they have space for their boobs, but then the rest of the clothes are baggy. (Don't you HATE that?) I tried this one on but sadly it was too big for me in the size 8 curvy. However I think their shirts and blouses are a great idea - no more boob flashing while wearing shirts!
I think that my next purchase from Bravissimo will be a new sports bra (quite a few people have asked me for my recommendations for sports bras!) - I hear that shock absorber ones are the creme de la creme of sports bras. I currently have 2 M&S ones which have served me quite well on a budget but I have noticed that the straps aren't quite tight enough and therefore there's a bit too much jiggling about... Need to keep them strapped in a bit better!
I love Bravissimo as well (i'm a 32F). You always feel so much better with a bra that fits PROPERLY.. no straps slipping down, or digging in etc! I'd recommend the sports bra I use, its Shock Absorber and I got it for about £35 (i think?) from John Lewis. PS, I loved the cake you made your grandad, it looked delectable! xx
ReplyDeleteI would love bigger boobs, but I can see the down side. It must be so nice now to have a bra that fitted, it's horrid having one that gives you back arch and squash's your boobs. I love that colour too x
ReplyDeleteI love that bra, such a gorgeous colour! I'm always frustrated by the lack of pretty larger size bras. I wore an uncomfortable 32DD for years before a bit of trial and error made me realise I was closer to a 30F, and the difference in styles available between those two on the high street is unbelievable. I went from lovely, delicate Topshop bras to ladies in M&S trying to get me to buy big, lacy, beige monstrosities! Thank God for websites like this, eh?! x
ReplyDeleteI too hate most of the high street's lingerie offerings - I usually stick with m+s but I'll need to check out bravissimo as the last time I had a fitting at m+s I just found the woman really rude, and actually left without buying anything .. I'm usually around a 34DD and she gave me 30Cs to try which clearly didn't fit at all but insisted that's what I should be wearing! Your experience at bravissimo sounds much better! xx
ReplyDeleteLove the colour!
ReplyDeletePleeease let me know how you find the sports bra if you decide to get it. I've been trying to find one but they all seem to be in sizes like small, medium, large and it's frustrating me.
Aw man, I LOVE Bravissimo. I'm American, so I have to ship in my bras from them. My size (36H) isn't sold in ANY stores that I know of in the States, so Bravissimo has saved me a few times. The bra you chose is actually my absolute favorite! It's so comfy!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Love that green color. I can't find a sports bra I really like. For me, the hardest part of working out by far is putting on a sports bra! It's like trying to wriggle into a straitjacket. I think you guys in the UK have a much wider range of bra sizes and fits than we do in the US. There are a few specialty stores I've seen in larger cities, but they are prohibitively expensive for me. I think the next time I'm in London, I'm going to stock up.
ReplyDeleteI used to work in the lingerie department at Debenhams (we sold Shock Absorber - their website is... interesting) and we used a combination of measuring tape and trying-on (and showing people how to spot a good fit).
ReplyDeleteYou really shouldn't trust anyone who claims to be a bra fitter who just measures you and gives you a number, trying on is so important! It's not just the brands that differ, different styles suit different people.
We had lots of people come in who'd been fitted elsewhere & weren't satisfied. I was once asked by a slim to normal size lady where she'd find a 40A as that's what M&S had said she was. I immediately offered to re-fit her and sent her away happy as a 36DD!
That bra is SO pretty! The colour is amazing. I used to HATE bra shopping because I could never find anything nice in my size, but now that a few brands have come out here in NZ that accomodate F cups (but don't look like Nana bras) I love finding pretty lingerie!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for Bravissimo! Have you seen their new clothing brand, Pepperberry? They have a stand alone shop in Edinburgh and I think they're going to have some joint ones. Had a look at the weekend and there were some pretty tops and a lovely 50s style dress.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely colour that bra is.
ReplyDeleteLike you say it is always better to be fitted correctly however I can understand people not wanting to pay that amount of money when on a tight budget.
X x
About sports bras: I have a shock absorber one which is great (but butt ugly!) and a beautiful pink La Senza sports bra, which also works really well. I'm on the tiny side of the spectrum so have nothing to say about Bravissimo, LOL!
ReplyDelete♥ Leia
Gorgeous bra. I was fitted as a 30E in Bravissimo a couple of years ago and have lost a little weight since, I really need to go for another fitting. It's amazing the difference a well-fitting bra makes!
ReplyDeletenice colour!!! :-)))so happy!
ReplyDeleteHaving a good sports bra is so helpful. For a while I just had an obscenely tight tank top that I used instead. It wasn't super helpful...
ReplyDeleteI love your purchase. Wonderful colour!
Christy of Dress Rehearsal
I love the idea of being fitted without being measured, I hate anyone touching me, ever! Do they cater for smaller cup sizes too?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I am actually in the process of looking for some new lingerie. I want it to be pretty but functional as well, so this post helped a lot....
ReplyDelete...Megan
http://anotherzoeday.blogspot.com
28F! So diddy! Yet so big!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, all these posts are making me need to go for a bra fitting. I've realised that I've never actually stepped outside of my bra size comfort zone & shopped around for different sizes. Most of my bras are ludicrously from Primark (only one is from a particular underwear shop) & while I'm probably not big-boobed enough to be going for fittings at Bravissimo, I've heard that their fitting service is the best out there. Oh, it's so not fair!
Shock Absorber are the absolute top banana. Again with the Primark, but my £4 sports bra from there has served me well, but I'm beginning to get more of a 'quality over quantity' air about me & yes, my next purchase will be a Shock Absorber.
Urgh don't get me started on boob-related issues! I know exactly what you mean about having to get a bigger size in clothes. I usually stick to M&S but I do love the pretty Bravissimo bras x
ReplyDeleteThat's such a pretty bra- I love that shade of green. I don't think I've ever had a bra that's fitted me properly. I usually wear a 10A- I don't know what that is in UK size but it's the smallest cup size you can get here and even then I struggle to fill out the cups, yet the straps are much too tight around my back. It would be so ideal if all bras were custom made to fit your body!
ReplyDeleteLove lingerie, and the color of that bra is divine. I wish I could splurge a bit and make some more lingerie purchases. I think I should start a fund solely for this purpose. I would very much like to purchase something form The Loved One. xoxo
ReplyDeletethat aqua color is so gorgeous!
ReplyDeletethat's wonderful that you found that shop :)
xoxo
Olivia
I've never heard of Bravissimo before, but they sound fantastic! I really need some new bras, too, but I hate bra shopping. No matter how many times I measure myself, I can't for the life of me figure out what size I should be wearing!
ReplyDeleteLovely !
ReplyDeleteOh wow Bravissimo - I'm starting a weekend job there in three weeks! I shall have to give you all the low-down on the gorgeous new lines and such. I love Bravissimo, I've been a fan for ages.
ReplyDeletecx
I am a fairly new convert to Bravissimo. Love the bra you bought! Do check out my lingerie blog - as a 28ff, i'm always on the lookout for great bargains for bigger busts and campaign for more 28 backed bras!
ReplyDeletewww.undercoverlingerista.blogspot.com
xo