'I had my bra fitted at 6 high-street shops and 4 of the sizes were different'
The internet is littered with advice about how important it is to get your bra fitted properly in order for your clothes to sit nicely.
And yet, Freya's bra fitting expert Suzanne Pentland says "around 80% of women are wearing the wrong size. Most are wearing a bra which is way too big at the back (the band) and the cup size will be much too small."
As someone who has never had a bra fitted professionally before, I assumed learning my breast size was as easy as stripping off in front of someone once and knowing my measurements forever - right? Considering I went to six different high street shops and came back with four different measurements, seemingly not.
FYI: I've comfortably worn a 34B for as long as I can remember, but have never seen an expert.
GettyM&S
If you're not on the hunt for new lingerie and actually just want to have your boobs measured for size, head to Marks & Spencer. Here, I didn't try on a single bra, but instead stood in the changing rooms in my pre-owned underwear and was measured with a fabric tape around my bust.
The lady advised that I wore a 34B (hooray! Go me and my accurate reading of my own boobs!) on the middle hook with the shoulder straps quite tight, or a 36B if the back felt like it was pinching. A quick fitting is great if you're pushed for time, but as I found out later, it's actually really difficult to know your size based solely on a tape measure.
Size: 34B
John Lewis
If I wrote a book about this experience, it would be called John Lewis and the 18 different bra sizes. After measuring my band size with a tape measure, I tried on a few 32Bs (a bit tight), a 32C (gaping cup alert), a 34C (*reaching for the chicken fillets*) and a 34B. Although I thought the B was fine, the bra fitter recommended a 34C in the particular style we were trying - because, as I was starting to discover, it's absolutely not a one size fits all business.
Size: 34C
GettyDebenhams
At Debs, it was a relatively easy process based around one bra style. I asked for a padded t-shirt bra, had my band measurements taken and tried on a 32A, 32B and 32C.
At this point, the impression I was starting to get was that the advisors know it's not a one size fits all styles blanket rule. You have to take it case by case, and the sizing depends entirely on the shape of your boob, the cut of the bra and the way it sits on your body.
Size: 32B
House of Fraser
I tried on a lot of bras in House of Fraser, because, as the assistant measuring my bust explained, it's more about finding the perfect bra to fit your boobs - rather than defining your size and assuming everything from there will fit.
It's also worth noting that certain brands will suit different shaped breasts more than others, and that it's only through trial and error that you will find 'the one' for you. DKNY, I'm looking at you.
Size: 32B
GettyBoux Avenue
Boux Avenue was the best experience of the lot; as well as measuring my bust with a fabric tape and advising on the type of bra I should be wearing for my boob shape, the advisor also showed me how I should be adjusting bras I already own. She explained how your breasts should sit in the cup correctly; how tight the shoulder traps should be and what the tell-tale signs are that you're wearing the wrong band size.
Size: 34B
Rigby and Peller
Seeing as this is reportedly where The Queen gets her lingerie fitted, I was not expecting the expert to tell me they 'fit all bras by sight' and to take my bra off in favour of the black silky robe. But she did, so I did.
And perhaps acting as further proof the tape measure isn't the answer to everything, the advisor was pretty much spot on with the band size - asking me to try on a range of 32" and 34" bras.
The type of bra I tried on varied, which meant the cup size did too; after trying a 32A, 34B, 32C and 34C, we eventually opted for a 34A lacy white number.
Size: 34A
The results?
As annoying as it is, your bra size varies entirely depending on the style and the brand you're wearing. Although you will fit in a rough ball park of one or two cup and band sizes, it's worth trying on a few different variations every time you invest in a new bra - especially if it's one you've never owned before. The brands and bras that do fit you perfectly are definitely worth investing in; you've just got to dedicate the time to finding them.
"Some brands and styles can fit differently so always get fitted in the new style you are trying and check how supported you feel and ensure that you feel totally comfortable", Freya?s lingerie fitting expert continued. "When you are wearing your new bra size at first it may feel a little uncomfortable while you get used to it, but benefits to the way you look and the support you feel will far outweigh this."
With that in mind, it's also worth considering which styles fit the shape of your boob and suit your bust size - whether that be balconette, underwired or otherwise.
It's a bit like clothes sizes, really: while you might be a size 10 in one high street shop, it wouldn't be uncommon to vary from a size 8 to a size 16 elsewhere - as this woman pointed out when she discovered she fitted in six different trouser sizes.
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