Sadistic Bra Fitter

[Fly Girl]

I am on the road to recovery today from my latest encounter with a professional bra fitter.

About three weeks ago my favorite personal shopper called up to book me an appointment with a bra fitter. I’ve never had much luck with bra fitters (in my experience, a professionally fitted bra hurts like HE**), but I agreed to try it again.

Friday was the day. The bra fitter pronounced the Bali 42C that I wore to the appointment as completely the wrong size, and announced that I was a 38D. I told her about my experiences of having painful bruised ribs after fittings, and she told me that she had 40 years of experience and knew her stuff. I suppose she did, because she did quickly figured out that I have a high rib cage, and would not be able to wear most underwire bras. I tried on bunches of bras without underwire and they looked terrible (gave me sort of a unibreast look). Finally, I tried on the Chantelle 1660 and other than the straps digging into my shoulders and my chest feeling like I was suffocating, it looked pretty darn good. She suggested I try wearing it for a day, so I dutifully purchased the 1660.

Saturday was snowing, so I strapped on the Chantelle 1660, turned on the gas fireplace, and sat down to read with a mug of coffee. After a couple of hours I developed a headache, which I attributed to the excess caffeine. By mid-afternoon I had taken to my bed with a migraine (having removed the 1660 by now), and after two doses of my best migraine meds, I was feeling fine by the next day.

Sunday I wore one of my comfortable oldies in the morning, but I tried the Chantelle 1660 that afternoon. Within two hours my headache returned, but this time I realized it was because I was having difficulty breathing due to the tight bra. I removed the 1660 and did some yoga to get my breath back, and the headache went away.

I am slowly recovering today, wearing the softest silk crossover bra that I own and letting my bruises heal. This experience has reinforced my notion that professional bra fitters have a strong sadistic streak. The “correct” bra size is always so painful for me. Go figure.

 

[Skippy123]

FlyGirl, that is awful; it must have been too tight or something. I am sorry, Mirgraines are horrible! I would take it back and tell them!!!

 

[sumbride]

Take it back and say "I''d like the non-migraine-inducing model, please?" WOW, that must have been TIGHT! Is this woman from the era of corsets???

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 4/14/2008 12:05:20 PM
Author: sumbride
Take it back and say ''I''d like the non-migraine-inducing model, please?'' WOW, that must have been TIGHT! Is this woman from the era of corsets???

My thoughts exactly.

 

[rainydaze]

although i have never had such a severe reaction as you have (ouch! i''m glad you figured out it was the bra and staved off the second migraine!) i have always wondered what is up with the bra fitters?! they have never once fit me to a bra that was comfortable or supportive for me either!!! i have a broad back and go for 38, but they insist i am 36 with a larger cup which squeezes the air out of my lungs and gives me poke-out lines where my gals are not filling out the cups properly!!

 

[Linda W]

You poor thing, what a horrible experience.

I have gone to two bra fitters myself. Both of them suggested two horrible bras that also hurt. I''ll never go to another one again

Linda

 

[Circe]

For years and years and years, I thought I was a 34B, and attributed the fact that it was hard to find clothes that fit to being slightly pudgy. Apparently, body dysmorphia crossed lines with common sense, as I never made the connection that all of the dresses and shirts that I tried on fit just fine until they got to my torso ....

Finally, a friend of mine dragged me to an upscale shop to get fitted, insisting that there was no way in hell that I was wearing the right size: turns out that she was right, as 4 fitters agreed that I was a 32D. Talk about changing body image. The irony is, even with that consensus, I still prefer a 34 band: they tell you that you should start on the tightest fitting, and the bra will stretch out, but I think they''re mad - why on earth would I want to subject myself to several months of discomfort until the danged things stretch out properly?

I have a sneaking suspicion that this is the lingerie trade''s version of vanity sizing: yes, the technical diameter of the rib-cage might be one''s proper measurent, but that doesn''t mean that a skin-tight, non-stretching garment is necessarily comfortable! Not to mention, finding bras built to those proportions can be, er, tricky.

 

[VegasAngel]

Dang that sucks, headaches from a too tight bra!

I was surprised to see this thread as I was going to post something similar about my fitting at Nordies. I was told I am a 32dd, fine. Lady brings me bras to try. I told her they felt waaay too tight. She said it was because I am used to wearing bras too loose. She also told me the same thing someone posted in this thread about how the band will stretch.

There is no way I can wear the bra I bought. First, I have to contort to even get it hooked. Once it''s on it is so tight I cant even breathe. Anyway, I guess I need to go somewhere else for a fitting because I dont know what size I need.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Weird, I have a brilliant bra fitting lady. She fit me for my first, then resized me a few years later when they really grew. She also fit my mother who was wearing the wrong size her whole life! She likes her new size much better. I will say I have taken other women to this place and they always wear a cup size too small with a under measurement too big. It does cut in some, but if it didn''t, the bra won''t provide any support. I can feel my bra but it never hurts. I also find adjusting the straps helps a lot.

I am sorry about your experience fly, Chantelles are my favorite bras; of course, mine all fit me.

 

[lyra]

That''s horrendous!! If you add 3 inches to the rib measurement where a bra should fit, do you get 38 or 42? That is supposed to be the formula for that part. I would definitely return the bra and get a refund.

 

[anchor31]

What a horrible experience! I how you can return it and get a refund.

I went to a bra fitting once. I have a very hard time finding bras that fit me and I really wanted help. Apparently I'm supposed to be a 34A, but for some reason I don't fit in 34A bras. I fit in 34AA bras, but bras that size are just very hard to find, and those I find are either extremely uncomfortable (do I look like I need underwires?!

) or have that weird thick sewn edge and you see it through my shirt

. The lady was so desperate to sell me a bra she tried to convince me that it's normal to see my bra through my shirt. Ick. Talk about no class.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 4/14/2008 5:26:21 PM
Author: anchor31
What a horrible experience! I how you can return it and get a refund.


I went to a bra fitting once. I have a very hard time finding bras that fit me and I really wanted help. Apparently I''m supposed to be a 34A, but for some reason I don''t fit in 34A bras. I fit in 34AA bras, but bras that size are just very hard to find, and those I find are either extremely uncomfortable (do I look like I need underwires?!

) or have that weird thick sewn edge and you see it through my shirt

. The lady was so desperate to sell me a bra she tried to convince me that it''s normal to see my bra through my shirt. Ick. Talk about no class.

Wow Fly Girl, that sucks! A bra so tight that it causes you headaches is insane!

anchor, I feel you on the hard to find smaller sizes! You should think about trying to find Playtex Half Sizes Too online, because I know they do "half sizes" like 34 Nearly A, A, Nearly B, etc. They carry a cheaper version of it at Target...don''t know if you have Targets in Canada, though!

And like you, I HATE underwire and certainly don''t need it, but it''s practically impossible to find a bra without underwire anywhere! And I hate padded bras, but every bra out there these days is padded and push up! I personally like how I look without my boobs pushed up to my chin and padded beyond recognition! Trying to find a good bra is seriously impossible for me!

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 11:54:28 AM
Author: Skippy123
FlyGirl, that is awful; it must have been too tight or something. I am sorry, Mirgraines are horrible! I would take it back and tell them!!!

Thank you, Skippy. I''m pretty sure it was waaaaay too tight. I''ll be fine. I can''t decide whether to keep it and wear it with bra extenders, or return it.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 12:05:20 PM
Author: sumbride
Take it back and say ''I''d like the non-migraine-inducing model, please?'' WOW, that must have been TIGHT! Is this woman from the era of corsets???

Thanks for the laugh, sumbride. You are sooooo right.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 12:54:36 PM
Author: LegacyGirl

Date: 4/14/2008 12:05:20 PM
Author: sumbride
Take it back and say ''I''d like the non-migraine-inducing model, please?'' WOW, that must have been TIGHT! Is this woman from the era of corsets???

My thoughts exactly.

Apparently so. The mindset seems to be that what looks good does not need to feel good.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 1:00:45 PM
Author: rainydaze
although i have never had such a severe reaction as you have (ouch! i''m glad you figured out it was the bra and staved off the second migraine!) i have always wondered what is up with the bra fitters?! they have never once fit me to a bra that was comfortable or supportive for me either!!! i have a broad back and go for 38, but they insist i am 36 with a larger cup which squeezes the air out of my lungs and gives me poke-out lines where my gals are not filling out the cups properly!!

Thanks for telling about your experiences, rainydaze. Sounds like my experiences as well. The bra fitter before this one fitted me with a bra that was also too small, and the underwire made my ribs black and blue. Bruising just can''t be right.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 1:31:03 PM
Author: Linda W
You poor thing, what a horrible experience.

I have gone to two bra fitters myself. Both of them suggested two horrible bras that also hurt. I''ll never go to another one again

Linda

That makes two of us!! Thanks Linda.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 2:56:24 PM
Author: Circe
For years and years and years, I thought I was a 34B, and attributed the fact that it was hard to find clothes that fit to being slightly pudgy. Apparently, body dysmorphia crossed lines with common sense, as I never made the connection that all of the dresses and shirts that I tried on fit just fine until they got to my torso ....

Finally, a friend of mine dragged me to an upscale shop to get fitted, insisting that there was no way in hell that I was wearing the right size: turns out that she was right, as 4 fitters agreed that I was a 32D. Talk about changing body image. The irony is, even with that consensus, I still prefer a 34 band: they tell you that you should start on the tightest fitting, and the bra will stretch out, but I think they''re mad - why on earth would I want to subject myself to several months of discomfort until the danged things stretch out properly?

I have a sneaking suspicion that this is the lingerie trade''s version of vanity sizing: yes, the technical diameter of the rib-cage might be one''s proper measurent, but that doesn''t mean that a skin-tight, non-stretching garment is necessarily comfortable! Not to mention, finding bras built to those proportions can be, er, tricky.

Thanks for sharing your story, Circe. Actually, when they have stretched out is when you are supposed to replace them! By the way, they won''t tell you this, but you can buy bra extenders that make the band size from 1 to 3 inches longer. It can be a life-saver!

Yes, comfort is apparently not a concern when selecting the proper bra size.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 3:47:08 PM
Author: VegasAngel
Dang that sucks, headaches from a too tight bra!

I was surprised to see this thread as I was going to post something similar about my fitting at Nordies. I was told I am a 32dd, fine. Lady brings me bras to try. I told her they felt waaay too tight. She said it was because I am used to wearing bras too loose. She also told me the same thing someone posted in this thread about how the band will stretch.

There is no way I can wear the bra I bought. First, I have to contort to even get it hooked. Once it''s on it is so tight I cant even breathe. Anyway, I guess I need to go somewhere else for a fitting because I dont know what size I need.

Thanks for sharing VegasAngel. My fitter used those exact same words. Said I was wearing my current bra so loose that I was essentially going braless! But, you know, breathing is essential, and I say it trumps wearing the perfect bra size.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 3:55:15 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
Weird, I have a brilliant bra fitting lady. She fit me for my first, then resized me a few years later when they really grew. She also fit my mother who was wearing the wrong size her whole life! She likes her new size much better. I will say I have taken other women to this place and they always wear a cup size too small with a under measurement too big. It does cut in some, but if it didn''t, the bra won''t provide any support. I can feel my bra but it never hurts. I also find adjusting the straps helps a lot.

I am sorry about your experience fly, Chantelles are my favorite bras; of course, mine all fit me.

This is what I was expecting to happen. Bra fittings are supposed to work! I should have ended up with a better fitting bra. And, it did fit tight and provided gobs of support.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 4:31:23 PM
Author: lyra
That''s horrendous!! If you add 3 inches to the rib measurement where a bra should fit, do you get 38 or 42? That is supposed to be the formula for that part. I would definitely return the bra and get a refund.

Thanks, lyra. I''m 37" around the ribs, and a 40 when I add the 3". Of course, it all depends on whether I am breathing in or out at the time.

I was going to keep it and add it to my diverse collection of poorly fitting bras. I have gobs of bra extenders, and different styles, so I never have to wear the same painful style on consecutive days. But, you may be correct that the better choice is to return it.

This is so sad. There has to be a better way.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 5:26:21 PM
Author: anchor31
What a horrible experience! I how you can return it and get a refund.

I went to a bra fitting once. I have a very hard time finding bras that fit me and I really wanted help. Apparently I''m supposed to be a 34A, but for some reason I don''t fit in 34A bras. I fit in 34AA bras, but bras that size are just very hard to find, and those I find are either extremely uncomfortable (do I look like I need underwires?!

) or have that weird thick sewn edge and you see it through my shirt

. The lady was so desperate to sell me a bra she tried to convince me that it''s normal to see my bra through my shirt. Ick. Talk about no class.

I think that we both do not fit the industry norm. They try to fit us in, but if it doesn''t work, it doesn''t work. (I''d definitely skip the underwire, if I were you. They are nasty!)

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 6:51:31 PM
Author: thing2of2

Wow Fly Girl, that sucks! A bra so tight that it causes you headaches is insane!

And like you, I HATE underwire and certainly don''t need it, but it''s practically impossible to find a bra without underwire anywhere! And I hate padded bras, but every bra out there these days is padded and push up! I personally like how I look without my boobs pushed up to my chin and padded beyond recognition! Trying to find a good bra is seriously impossible for me!

Yep, underwire hurts, and padded bras are stupid and also hurt. In my sizes, the styles are generally minimizers, but I have yet to find one that has cups that fit properly and doesn''t hurt.

And, the fitter wonders why I''m essentially going braless.

I would if I could!

 

[lyra]

Date: 4/14/2008 8:20:06 PM
Author: Fly Girl

Date: 4/14/2008 4:31:23 PM
Author: lyra
That''s horrendous!! If you add 3 inches to the rib measurement where a bra should fit, do you get 38 or 42? That is supposed to be the formula for that part. I would definitely return the bra and get a refund.

Thanks, lyra. I''m 37'' around the ribs, and a 40 when I add the 3''. Of course, it all depends on whether I am breathing in or out at the time.

I was going to keep it and add it to my diverse collection of poorly fitting bras. I have gobs of bra extenders, and different styles, so I never have to wear the same painful style on consecutive days. But, you may be correct that the better choice is to return it.

This is so sad. There has to be a better way.

Yes, either men should stop designing the bras, or men should have to have implants in order to be bra designers!!!

Seriously. I would say your size should be a minimum of a 40. Do return the bra. Lingerie is so expensive!

 

[smiles]

i love how everyone has a bra fitting story!!
Regarding the band stretching out you are actually supposed to begin wearing it on the looset or middle hook because it stretches out so that you can make it tighter when the band stretches!! so go tell your bra ladies that their logic makes no sense!! if you wear it on the tightest one and it stretches then it will be too big!!!

on a side note, I now have a bra fitter i love but i remember going in once to a regular mall store and asking the sales girl "do you sell 32dd??" she looked at me and said "32dd??" you dont need that! I was like, uh, yes i do, i know my size. in the middle of the store she whips out her measuring tape and says let me see!!! She measures me and shes like whooooaa you are a full 32dd!!!!! (loud enough for everyone in the store to hear) I was like thanks can you answer the question now???

Bra ladies are either amazing or silly. women are all different shapes and sizes and although we can appear to be one size mathematically maybe my ribcage is higher or lower or my breasts are really full?!?! theres so many variable! return the bra and ask your friends if they know nay good bra ladies!!

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 8:39:05 PM
Author: lyra

Date: 4/14/2008 8:20:06 PM
Author: Fly Girl

Date: 4/14/2008 4:31:23 PM
Author: lyra
That''s horrendous!! If you add 3 inches to the rib measurement where a bra should fit, do you get 38 or 42? That is supposed to be the formula for that part. I would definitely return the bra and get a refund.

Thanks, lyra. I''m 37'' around the ribs, and a 40 when I add the 3''. Of course, it all depends on whether I am breathing in or out at the time.

I was going to keep it and add it to my diverse collection of poorly fitting bras. I have gobs of bra extenders, and different styles, so I never have to wear the same painful style on consecutive days. But, you may be correct that the better choice is to return it.

This is so sad. There has to be a better way.

Yes, either men should stop designing the bras, or men should have to have implants in order to be bra designers!!!

Seriously. I would say your size should be a minimum of a 40. Do return the bra. Lingerie is so expensive!

You guys win. I will take the bra back tomorrow.

Thanks.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/14/2008 8:45:53 PM
Author: smiles
i love how everyone has a bra fitting story!!
Regarding the band stretching out you are actually supposed to begin wearing it on the looset or middle hook because it stretches out so that you can make it tighter when the band stretches!! so go tell your bra ladies that their logic makes no sense!! if you wear it on the tightest one and it stretches then it will be too big!!!

on a side note, I now have a bra fitter i love but i remember going in once to a regular mall store and asking the sales girl 'do you sell 32dd??' she looked at me and said '32dd??' you dont need that! I was like, uh, yes i do, i know my size. in the middle of the store she whips out her measuring tape and says let me see!!! She measures me and shes like whooooaa you are a full 32dd!!!!! (loud enough for everyone in the store to hear) I was like thanks can you answer the question now???

Bra ladies are either amazing or silly. women are all different shapes and sizes and although we can appear to be one size mathematically maybe my ribcage is higher or lower or my breasts are really full?!?! theres so many variable! return the bra and ask your friends if they know nay good bra ladies!!

Thank you, smiles!

I know that I have a high ribcage. One of the bra fitting websites lists that under medical conditions. Like my doctor cares (NOT!!!).

The bra is going back tomorrow!

 

[somethingshiny]

Wow, I can''t believe the bad luck! I have been to so many bra fittings, my family now comes to me and asks me to go bra shopping with them. I''m supposed to take my sis this weekend. The first fitting I did, I was in high school. I developed quickly. The lady figured out what bra to put me in so I could get more than 2 months out of it. I quit having the fittings and thought I was a 40DD. Finally, I got tired of spilling out of my bra and had another fitting. I''m a 38G, and wearing that size feels SO MUCH better! BUT, my lady doesn''t just measure the rib cage and the fullest part of the breast. She measures at least 3 areas and then determines the size to START with. Then she brings several styles and looks at them on me and adjusts fit or size to accommodate. The result is a perfectly supported and perky pair!

So, the moral of the story is: That lady was pure evil, but don''t give up on the system!!!

 

[AmberGretchen]

OMG these sound dreadful - Fly Girl what a horrid experience, and everyone else''s as well! I''m so glad you''re taking that bra back.

I have to say though, I''m a little afraid now - I was going to go try to get re-fitted because I''ve lost a lot of weight and I think my bras might need to be a slightly different size (though not much - unfortunately the girls didn''t get nearly as much smaller as the rest of me, even though I''d hoped they would...). But now I''m afraid to go near a bra fitter!

 

[anchor31]

Date: 4/14/2008 6:51:31 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 4/14/2008 5:26:21 PM
Author: anchor31
What a horrible experience! I how you can return it and get a refund.


I went to a bra fitting once. I have a very hard time finding bras that fit me and I really wanted help. Apparently I''m supposed to be a 34A, but for some reason I don''t fit in 34A bras. I fit in 34AA bras, but bras that size are just very hard to find, and those I find are either extremely uncomfortable (do I look like I need underwires?!

) or have that weird thick sewn edge and you see it through my shirt

. The lady was so desperate to sell me a bra she tried to convince me that it''s normal to see my bra through my shirt. Ick. Talk about no class.

Wow Fly Girl, that sucks! A bra so tight that it causes you headaches is insane!

anchor, I feel you on the hard to find smaller sizes! You should think about trying to find Playtex Half Sizes Too online, because I know they do ''half sizes'' like 34 Nearly A, A, Nearly B, etc. They carry a cheaper version of it at Target...don''t know if you have Targets in Canada, though!

And like you, I HATE underwire and certainly don''t need it, but it''s practically impossible to find a bra without underwire anywhere! And I hate padded bras, but every bra out there these days is padded and push up! I personally like how I look without my boobs pushed up to my chin and padded beyond recognition! Trying to find a good bra is seriously impossible for me!

thing2of2 - Amen, sister! Thanks for the tips. No Targets here (at least not in Qc), but I think the have the Playtex line at Sears and the Bay. Underwire bras poke me in the ribs (ow), and padded bras are really uncomfortably warm. Blah.