Exclusive
MYTHS BUST-ED
Model gets told she’s a 36DDD in Victoria’s Secret but a 30HH in Bravissimo as we investigate just how much bra measurements vary on the high street
GETTING the right bra is an uphill battle for most women.
Finding the perfect style and fit, while feeling attractive and supported is a high-street nightmare, particularly when each store seems to have a different idea of what your true size is.
14
Our model Sam Fisher hit the shops to see if she could work out her ideal size by getting measured with seven of the biggest names in the undies biz.
In each of the stores - Ann Summers, John Lewis, Debenhams, Victoria's Secret, House of Fraser, M&S and Bravissimo - the model was given a different size - with her cup ranging from a DDD up to an immense HH.
Sam’s back size had an equally surprising range, with some stores sizing her as small as 30” and others suggesting she was 36”.
Before starting out, Sam confessed she had never been formally measured but was currently wearing a 32F bra that she had owned for about a year.
14
14
Ann Summers - 34G
We were invited into where one of their fitters sized our model up and found her to be a 34G.
Sam tried on a racy strappy number along with a more demure rouge balconette.
The fitting process didn’t involve a measuring tape, just an assessment of the size she was already wearing with a bit of trial and error trying on.
14
14
MOST READ IN LIVING
House of Fraser - 32FF
As were in the process of a refurbishment we weren't able to bring our camera into the store so Sam nipped in undercover and was told by the friendly lingerie assistant that she was a 32FF.
The speedy service was done with a simple tape measurement around her bosom and under the bust.
14
One of the lower sizes of the experiment – House of Fraser’s assistant explained that they try and offer a size which applies to all brands while other stores may fit specifically for their own brand bras.
A House of Fraser Spokesperson said: "Our lingerie experts recommend an initial size by measurement. Each bra should then be assessed individually.
"The style and brand of bra can make a huge difference in terms of size, as with clothes and shoes there will always be discrepancies between manufacturers."
John Lewis - 32GG
The service at ’ Oxford Street branch is by appointment but they managed to squeeze Sam in for a quick fitting with one of their specialists - unfortunately we weren't able to take our cameras with us.
After trying a couple of styles, they found her fit in a full cup Freya bra and settled on 32GG for the perfect size.
14
Again the team forewent a tape measure in favour of using Sam’s existing bra as a starting point and adjusting from there.
John Lewis' lingerie buyer Alanna's Leow-McKenna said: "'It's important to get measured and find a shape that works for you with the right level of support as the shape and the brand of the bra can differ.
"Here at John Lewis we would recommend getting measured by one of our expert fitters every 6 months as your body changes.''
M&S - 34GG
After making an appointment with their team, Sam dropped into where she was fitted at a 34GG, again Sam left the cameras behind for this appointment.
The helpful assistant brought a range of styles to try but eventually settled on a lace padded plunge in a vibrant pink.
Using a trial and error method again, the fitter assessed a few sizes before settling on the right one for Sam.
14
Julia Mercer, Bra Fit expert and Technical Manager at M&S said: "Our 8,000 bra fit experts undergo extensive training and measure around 50,000 women every week.
"Our service is designed to make the bra-fit as comfortable and easy as possible and our experts will offer tailored recommendations covering the correct size, shape and style to suit each woman."
Debenhams - 30GG
14
14
We were invited down into ’ plush fitting suite to try on a number of options at the Oxford Street store.
The lingerie expert on site used a “by eye” technique to establish that our model was a 30GG although they do also use tape measures at times.
Sam was given a full cup blue bra from the store’s Gorgeous range.
Victoria's Secret - 36DDD
14
preferred that we didn't film Sam being fitted in their store so Sam dropped in to see if they had a bra that would fit her leaving the cameras outside.
The store's largest cup size is a DDD so the model wasn’t holding out hope that they would stock anything suitable.
The eager shop assistant did confirm that she would fit a bra in store and after whipping out a measuring tape our model was told she was a 36DDD.
The bra was reasonably loose under Sam’s chest and the fit certainly didn’t follow the “front must sit flat to your chest rule”.
We asked Victoria’s Secret if they offer women whose bust is too large for their DDD cup a larger back size so that they can fit in the cups of the bra, despite it not being the most supportive fit on the back.
Victoria’s Secret are yet to respond with a comment.
How can you tell if you are wearing the wrong size bra?
- The straps keep falling down
- Your bust spills out over the top, sides or bottom
- The fabric on the cups does not sit right
- You wear your bra on the last hook on the back
- The bra straps cause dents in your shoulders
- The band starts to ride up your back
- The underwire in the bra pokes into your skin
- You suffer from neck and back pain because of your bust.
How can you measure your bra size at home?
To measure your bra size at home, all you need to be wearing is a non-padded bra and have a tape measure in inches to hand.
First, you need to measure around the bottom of the band of the bra directly under the bust - making sure the tape is very snug.
Take the measurement in inches and round it up to the nearest inch.
If the size is an even number add four, and if it is odd add five - this will then give you your back size.
Then take the tape measure across your bust and again measure in inches, rounding to the nearest inch.
The difference in the inches between the two then gives the cup size. For example, a one inch difference would make you an A, two a B, three a C, four a DD, five a DD, six an E and so on.
So if your back size is 34 inches and your back size is 37 inches, that would make you a 34C.
Bravissimo - 30HH
14
Last on the list was "bigger boob" specialists , where Sam’s cup size shot up to a whopping HH.
The specialist fitter explained that the size should adjust with the style of bra.
Bravissimo have a strict “no measuring tape” policy so all measuring was conducted by eye and based on the feel of the bra.
Following a gruelling day of changing rooms and lingerie, Sam found that her size could vary greatly depending on where she went.
Our findings suggest that the style and shape of the bra you are wearing will affect the size which fits best.
14
14
While the sizes in different shops and brands can vary greatly.
For best practise, it is advisable to have a fitter measure you up if you buy anything from a new shop or in a new style to make sure that you have the most supportive fit.
Wearing the wrong bra size can have dangerous effects on your boobs - we report here.
We also revealed the best bra styles to suit your body – and how to make sure they stay in shape for longer.
Topics