Hourglasses, you lucky things, are considered to be the best of all shapes, lauded by all for your perfect curves. Honestly though, in my opinion I think the hourglass figure is no better than any other figure. Different men like different shapes, just take a look around you! The hourglass has been the epitome of ‘womanly perfection’ for centuries and I believe this comes down to the fact that almost anything looks good on you. Put simply: you’re easy to dress. And wouldn’t this be every woman’s dream? Imagine never having to faff over the old age quandary of ‘what to wear?’. Salma Hayek and Charlotte Church are both in the blessed zone of perfect hourglass figures. I’m sure their stylists must have a ball dressing them! (more…)
Archive for the ‘Bra Fitting’ Category
Hourglasses you gorgeous lasses with lovely busts and perfect asses!
Friday, May 17th, 2013Bra fitting frustrations – momentum sustained at Debenhams
Tuesday, November 13th, 2012
I’m not the hottest of shoppers. I tend to find large department stores overwhelming and frustrating. I hate navigating my way around, and they do themselves no favours if products and wares are not well set out.
I have usually been a fan of Debenhams though, and have particularly enjoyed their lingerie range in the past. So it was time to put Debenham’s to the test, and I had high expectations…. With all the saga of trying to get a fitting done at Marks, I decided to email in and get an appointment. I am still waiting to hear back .
So after a week with no response to my email and trying to call day in and day out with no answer, I thought I’d just have to go there anyway and try my luck. Well it was a lucky day after all. Albeit, early on a Sunday - when most people were sipping on their morning coffee I was sitting on the morning tube. Another shuffle into a fitting room with a tape measure. The result? 32DD. Although I was pleased with the privacy and location of the fitting room, I was surprised that so early on a Sunday morning the shop looked messy, almost as if it had not been tidied the previous night.
I was willing this time to see what bras they brought me to try. Today all I wanted was something “pretty”, but what I really wanted to say was something “sexy”. And perhaps I should have said just that! Within about 30 seconds I was brought about 4 different bras to try. But sexy? Not exactly. I didn’t feel that the attendant had listened to what I asked for at all. In typical department store style, Debenham’s doesn’t exactly have a lack of stock, so I feel like she could have done better. From ‘pretty’ wouldn’t you deduce that perhaps a classy number from one of their more exclusive ranges such as Fantasie would suffice? Plus, I would have appreciated it if she could have brought me the matching panties.
That said, I took a stroll in the department myself to have a more of a nosy. My impression was that the stock was brought out simply for the purpose of emptying boxes in the stock room. The displays were stuffed, and everything was higgledy piggledy. Clogged up with all the mess, my visual impression was cluttered, so I got tired of ‘shopping’ and decided to bust a groove (down 3 stories, through a maze of wares and out the entrance way). My high expectations had unfortunately been met with high levels of disappointment.
By Philippa Morton
Bra fitting frustrations – A Success At M&S?
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
My Marks & Sparks saga finally ended on a Sunday morning. I called through to Marks & Spencer on Oxford Street in London a few days before, managed to get through and make an appointment! It was the first appointment of the day, 12 noon. Hooray! I was very excited!
And what was the big deal about? I was shuffled into a fitting room, and measured up. It took about 2 minutes. I can’t believe that Marks & Spencer would have made me wait 4 hours for such a punitive amount of time on the measurement of my breasts! I am still seething about 3 attempts and a final 4th all for 2 MINUTES! What a joke.
Still, fittings are done very discretely and in all manner of taste. If you do not wish to be skin bare you don’t have to be. Using a tape measure, they came to the conclusion I was a 34C.
I specifically asked for non-padded bras and was brought a range of very boring looking numbers. Although white and floral embroidered, I wasn’t well impressed with the range available at all, and I’m not a fan of the crossover design, which is all they seemed to bring me. Non – padded bras do not mean frumpy, white florals to me. I was hoping for maybe red and racy with some embroidery and lace. I browsed the isles for some time after the fitting, hoping I could find something a little more attractive. All I found was the reason why the attendant only brought me white frumpy bras … there wasn’t anything else to offer. Well, none in my new ‘size’ anyway. I found a beautiful lavender lace bra and another in satin gray that were non-padded. But I guess it was just too much to ask for the same in a 34C! They were the only two non-padded bras that I fancied. Not to mention the fact that non-padded bras were completely dominated by padded bras. I found a couple of bras that were semi padded on the bottom of the cup. Not what I was looking for.
I serious lack of range did not discount the fact that the attendants did their best to be helpful. There was no pressure to buy, and I felt very happy to walk around at my leisure seeing what I could find.
So, would I go there again? To be honest with you, after my measurements at John Lewis, Debenhams and Rigby & Peller it was all a big waste of my time as you will soon read on.
Have you ever been fitted at Marks & Spencer? Did you have a similar experience? Let us know in the comments.
By Philippa Morton
photo credit: _Pixelmaniac_ via photopin cc
Bra fitting frustrations – Marks & Spencer
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012
It’s vibrant, cosmopolitan and splendidly beautiful in all seasons. London is definitely a wonderful place to live. Okay I concede, there are a few more ‘toned’ clouds than I’d like. Still, despite the grey buildings and reflectively grey clouds, there really is never a dull day to be had. Naturally, with all big cities though it can certainly have its frustrations from time to time.
I felt it most recently as I have been trying (what seemed in vain) to get a bra fitting. The mission was to go to John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Rigby & Peller to get a few views and experiences on bra fittings. The most important part of the mission was to ensure I get fitted for the right sized bra. Not Mission Impossible you would think, although I wouldn’t say no to Tom’s opinion on the matter!
I live in East London and like many East Londoners love the ‘All in One’ beehive of the shopping world in all its magnificent glory: Westfield Stratford. First stop was Marks & Spencer. I thought I’d just pop in on a Sunday afternoon to get a fitting done. I was greeted with a smile by their fitting supervisor who proceeded to tell me it was a 3 hour wait. I couldn’t believe my ears. I put it down to what must be a surge over the British summer holidays. Of course, the Olympics were in full swing by now too. I told myself it must have been because of the combined summer holidays and Olympics, that there were no appointment times. A few weeks later I happened to be enjoying a Friday evening stroll around the shopping centre and thought I’d give it another whirl, only to be told that there were no fitting times available till 9pm. Clearly Marks must be some kind of leader in their bra fittings? You would think so.
Then after the third and final try I’d had enough! This time it was about a 4 hour wait. The supervisor scribbled a phone number I could call to make an appointment. After calling it several times to no avail, I thought it was time to go Central. Yes, Central London will have a store that I can visit, and not have to wait …
Finally I would find out what all the hype over Marks & Spencer is and why there is a such a long waiting list to get a bra fitting; mostly I wondered whether or not there should be in the first place.
by Phillipa Morton
Itchy and Scratchy
Thursday, June 28th, 2012
It’s early in the morning. I have one thing on my mind: getting to work on time. I’m the type of person to have my work attire ironed and ready to go in the morning. Okay, I’m a little OCD, which generally works well in most areas of life (except for home, where the C stands for compromise). I grab my bag and rush out the door still wrestling with my shoe as it struggles to wrap around my foot. As I canter down the apartment block hallway to the elevator I notice an itch in a place I really don’t want to get one.
It’s this damn bra. I honestly thought I was investing in something decent and comfy when I bought it. I never go cheapskate on my boobs, they’re worth it! The last thing I expected when I bought this number was that it was going to itch. I am really irritated, it’s first thing in the morning and I really don’t need this discomfort. I travel an hour to the office each day. No matter how discrete I try to be, sticking my fingers all over my boobs, pinching, pulling and snapping the bra into ‘place’ cannot be done without notice. I pretend to be really into my music as I get some odd looks from men… I want to tell them I’m NOT feeling myself up. Hell, I wouldn’t expect them to believe me for a second as my fingers creep up under the wire!
My colleagues know something is up as soon as I arrive. Which brings something to mind… maybe it is an itchy bra that makes our boss such a cow some days!
All my de-itching efforts are to no avail, except to make me look like some kind of self fondling ape. I endure my day irritable, itchy and scratchy. The bra comes off as soon as I get home. I’d rather be braless than endure such discomfort. I feel ripped off. When I buy my bras I take into consideration:
- Cost
- Brand
- Aesthetic qualities
- Comfort
But I have come to realise, go wrong on one of these, and the bra becomes useless. Well, another one bites the dust. Into the clothing bin it goes.
But what I desperately want to know is: how does one avoid an itchy and scratchy bra?
Philippa Morton is a journalist, restaurant critic and entertainment writer living in London. Her portfolio expands to dating and relationships http://breakupwithbrilliance.wordpress.com/ and education. Follow her on twitter @philippamorton
Bra sizing : Why is it so easy to get wrong?
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011
So many ladies come into Plums Lingerie wearing bras that are the wrong size but can’t really see why. Why is it that it is so easy to get your bra size wrong and so difficult to get it right?
I think it has a lot to do with the way bras are sized up. The underwire of the bra doesn’t simply come in a A,B, C size etc. Wires are cross graded which in simple terms means the wire used in a 32D is the same size as in a 34C, 36B and a 38A. This can get confusing when trying to pick a bra yourself. It seems that the bra fits because your boobs aren’t overflowing but if it is too big around the rib cage you aren’t getting the support that you need.
It is easy for me to say that you need to go to a boutique like Plums Lingerie for a fitting, and if I could I would run around fitting every woman I could (however I think I might up for charges of harassment sooner or later) but not everyone has a Plums on her doorstep. If you want some help on how you can tell if you bra is fitting check out How to Measure Your Bra Size For a Proper Fit.
The Minimiser Bra – Miracle Solution For Curvy Girls?
Saturday, August 6th, 2011
Reduce your bust by inches, no surgery and no dieting required!
Wow! For busty beauties who struggle to find tops and dresses that don’t strain with challenge of keeping their assets contained this can sound like a miracle solution. So what is it?
THE MINIMISER (To be said in an action trailer voice over way)
You know the saying, if it sounds to good to be true it usually is…. well the minimiser bra is just that. The bra is designed to reduce the circumference of your chest and it does this by squishing it down. This means you lose the definition of two breasts and your chest takes on the appearance of a spare tire. Not only does it not look great having your boobs squished down can be really uncomfortable, your breasts are meant to be on you chest not pushed under your armpits.
New Favourite Bra? Review of the Marie Jo Avero 0101418
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
Don’t you just hate it when you find a bra you love and then the company stops making it! I have had this problem when Marie Jo stopped making the Avero soft cup that I had been wearing for years.. It was great under t-shirts, perfect for work and came in a variety of colours so was suitable for evenings too.
I have since moved the Marie Jo Ines multiway but it’s just not the same. So I was thrilled when Marie Jo introduced another style in the Avero. If you are an Avero wearer trying to keep up with the different styles is a job in itself.
This weekend I gave the Avero 0161118 a test run and this is what I found
- The bra is a preformed t-shirt bra but unlike the Ines it’s not multi-way, which means there are only 2 catches on the back rather than three.
- As it isn’t a multi-way it’s not quite as tight on the back so the fit is more consistent with other Marie Jo bras.
- The pretty daisy straps are all fabric rather than a combination of embroidery covered plastic so they are much more comfortable than the Ines.
- The shape given by the bra gives more lift but still provides enough coverage and security to you don’t feel you are exhibiting your assets.
- The caffe latte colour is great underwhite and is much closer to my English rose (pink and pasty) complexion than the cognac.
In summary I am very pleased with my new Avero but I am still waiting to see the new Jane in the nude colour Dune fits before I give my final decision if it’s the only t-shirt bra I’m going to wear.
Do you have a favourite go -to bra that is great for all occasions? If so what is it.
#lingeriechat February 27th – Bra Styles
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011The topic of this week’s lingerie chat was lingerie bra styles. This post is a summary of everything we chatted about:
We began with some definitions–
#lingeriechat – Bra Fitting 23 January 2011
Friday, January 28th, 2011
This week’s lingerie chat and has been our most well attended. The topic of bra fitting has struck a chord resulted in really active discussion.
Q1.When was the last time you got fitted for a bra?
The answers ranged from one year to I can’t remember when, and this is from a group of women who are the working industry or passionate about lingerie. It is indicative of how few women get regular fitted.
