8 Women On What It Was Like To Get A Bra Fitting For The First Time
One of the most common lingerie shopping questions that women have is “What happens at a bra fitting?” Indeed, a bra fitting can bring up all kinds of emotions: Relief, excitement, anxiety, embarrassment — you name it. On one hand, you may be finding out some very helpful information about your bust line, which can then help you to find bras that fit you flawlessly, making you feel and look your absolute best. On the other hand, though, you’ll be tasked with potentially taking your shirt off and letting a total stranger size you up. But don’t fret — while it’s totally normal to have some nerves ahead of your first bra fitting, you’ll undoubtedly be so grateful you went through with it. In fact, you may be surprised at how many benefits you reap from this one experience. Not only will you gain insight into your true size, but you may also glean some guidance on which bra styles are best suited to your breast shape.
Still feeling a tad apprehensive? To put your mind at ease, here’s what 8 women had to say about what it’s like getting a fitting for the first time.
1
“Confession time. I’ve worked at a lingerie boutique for almost a year, and I’m constantly encouraging ladies to get their regular fittings. But me? Well, the truth is I’d never actually had one until I started working in this industry. For years, I was convinced I knew my size, and I bought bras in that size all through college and a few years after that.
When I finally got fitted (at the store I work at now), I was shocked that I was one band size smaller than I thought, and my cup size was two cups larger than I thought. This explained a lot — namely, why I always had to tighten the straps all the way, why my bra never felt snug even on the tightest hook and eye setting, and why my (wide set) boobs were often spilling out a tiny bit on the sides of the cups.
I’m really grateful I finally got fitted, or I would have kept blindly investing in bras that don’t actually fit me! What a waste, right? That’s why I’m never shy about encouraging that customers get a fitting, even if it’s only been six months since they had one last. You’d be surprised at how quickly your breasts can fluctuate in size.”
— Cassie, 31
2
“I had heard great things about Nordstrom’s fittings, so I popped by my local store on a random week day without an appointment to see what all the fuss was about. To my amazement, the fitter figured out my size just by looking at me! It turned out that both my cup and band were too small.
Ended up going home with two new bras that were way more comfortable — and flattering. A year later, after I had lost some weight, I went back and specifically requested the same fitter. She’s the best!”
— Kelly, 28
3
“I remember I was super nervous. I had so many questions. Was she going to make me take my shirt off? What about my bra? Was she going to size me up simply by looking at me, or would she use a measuring tape?
Luckily, the lady who did my fitting was super friendly and I felt comfortable pretty much right away. She actually asked permission to come in the fitting room with me, and after measuring me, brought me all kinds of bra options to try out.
She informed me that my boobs were actually really close set, which explained why the center panel on bras often digs into my breasts (because it’s too wide). Then, to my relief, she suggested some bras that had a narrower center gore, which fit perfectly.”
— Dee, 30
Related: How To Find The Right Bra For Your Breast Shape
4
“For 10 years I wore bras where I had to push my breasts back down into the cups because they would always half pop out of them if I bent down, jumped, or walked too fast or something. My bras were the right size, so I just thought having breasts sucked.
Then I was fitted and found out my breasts don’t have much of a gap between them, and normal bras have gaps between the cups. Enter balconette bras. Life changed in an instant.
I can bend down. I can dance!”
—Anonymous
5
“If you’re going to get a fitting I’d highly recommend going to Nordstrom. It’s the only place I’ve had a fitting where they got the measurements close to what I get on my own. Nordstrom also carries a wide variety of sizes which, in my opinion, makes them less likely to “force” you into a size.
I measure myself at a 34G UK. I was measured as a 34FF UK at Nordstrom and found the bras they selected for me to try a good fit. The sales associate was very knowledgeable about bra fit and offered good advice. She did not push me to buy anything (and even told me not to buy a bra because it wasn’t a perfect fit!).
Now, onto the procedure: I was measured braless. The sales associated measured my band size and my breast size (standing). The whole measurement probably took like a minute tops.”
— Anonymous
6
“I got a bra fitting and… I am so happy I did!
The girl that did mine was awesome, friendly, and I felt completely comfortable letting her do it.
In the end, I found out not only have I been wearing the wrong size bra my entire adult life but also that my cup size is actually bigger than I thought! Which was a huge confidence boost for me.”
— Anonymous
7
“I can honestly say getting a properly fitting bra changed my quality of life. Went from an 80-85 C-D to 70F, sometimes 70G… I got rid of a constant backache I didn’t even attribute to my breasts, my posture is better, and I actually look much slimmer.”
— Anonymous
8
“I had pretty much given up on the possibility of finding a strapless bra that works for me. But apparently, the reason why I couldn’t find a strapless bra that stays up is that I was wearing the wrong size. I stopped into a local boutique because I was shopping for a bra to go with my bridesmaid’s dress for my best friend’s wedding.
While helping me to find the right bra style for my dress, the stylist asked what size I wear. When I told her, she immediately suggested I get a fitting, since she suspected I was actually a different size. Turns out, she was right. I had been wearing a band size that was two sizes too big!
I’ve raved about that store (and fitter) to all of my girlfriends, and now we all get fittings there. Sometimes, we’ll make an afternoon out of it and shop for some new lingerie together after we get our regular fittings. It makes it feel less like an obligation and more like a fun girl’s day out!”
— Emma, 30
Related: How Often Should You Get A Bra Fitting?
Pro tips
Still feeling a tad anxious about your first fitting? Here’s the thing: After the first one, the experience will never feel nearly as intimidating after that — which is a very good thing given that you should really be getting re-measured every six months or so). But in case you needed some added reassurance, hopefully, these ladies’ stories serve as proof that a bra fitting can be a stress-free (dare we say downright delightful?) experience.
We Highly Recommend
Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.
Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.
If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.
Happy bra shopping!
