Next stop was John Lewis. This was a like a breath of fresh air in comparison. There was one other fitting appointment and the staff were happy to see me straight away. John Lewis also used a tape measure to size. This time I was a 30 – 32D or DD. I didn’t know tape measures could be so possibly varied! Now I was just confused.

I had one last stop to make, Rigby & Peller.

I am a traditional at heart and mother’s word is truth.  That is why up until now I have never considered going to get fitted for a bra.  After all, mum knows everything, and I would never dare question her authority on the matter.  If someone ought to know what size my bra is, it would be her.  Right?  WRONG.

Mum had always told me I was a 36B.  No questions asked and now in my 30’s I have had to get over the fact that she was wrong and that I have been wearing the wrong bra size for all these years.  I kid you not, I want to cry.  I have missed out on wearing all those wonderful bra pieces to their full potential.  Can you believe, having ordered my bras off the internet, that I blamed the manufacturer when they didn’t fit properly!

Commonly known as the corsetieres to HM the Queen Rigby & Peller cannot be beaten in their expertise when it comes to bra fitting.  Yeup, it’s fit for a Queen!  Not to mention that a fitting here, like the high street retail stores, doesn’t cost a penny either.  And how easy was it to get an appointment?  Well, I received a response to my email enquiry within 24 hours.  It was a personal response too, and I really appreciated it.

I was greeted as a guest, offered a refreshment (which in London is usually a MUST after travel), and led downstairs to the personable fitting rooms.  The best thing, there is space for a friend, sister or mum to sit with their beverage during your consultation.

Rigby & Peller’s practice is like magic.  It was kindly explained to me that they do not use tape measures, perfect for those of us who don’t like to share our ‘bubble’ of personal space and also who don’t like being touched by a stranger.  Astonishingly, they are able to tell your bra size by simply looking!  Unfortunately though, you do need to take your bra off.  That said, all for the purpose of getting the correct measurement.  If you are wearing the wrong bra size you can well imagine how easy it would be to get your size wrong if you didn’t take it off.

Rigby & Peller’s wears are intricately made and designed.  Marie Jo, Simone Perele and Prima Donna feature to name a few.   My favourite for the day was the Marie Jo Charlotte:  a lipstick red with pink, red and white flowers embroidered onto the lace.  So pretty.

Sorry Mum, but I have finally had to go with an expert here.  It is okay to be wrong sometimes on some things.

By Philippa Morton