4
Measurement fail
So I’m in La Senza to grab a pair of underwear that mostly matches my Ewa Michalak BM Wersal. It is about the same shade of blue, but it’s not really a match with the lace (it’s a bit tropical). So I just got a single pair to try. She asks if I have the loyalty card. I shrugged and said maybe? I’ve had it before. She looks up my number and says I did have it, but it was back in 2016 and expired, so did I want a new one and explains the benefits. I said not now, as their bras don’t fit me.
I told her I needed a 30 band and that I used to wear the So Free balconette but they didn’t fit me anymore. Cue her offering to measure me. This is NOT the first time I’ve been measured by an eager sales associate, but whatever. This is, however, the WORST measurement I’ve had from them since I have been in well fitting bras. I could tell it would be off when she measured my over bust too tightly. She said that the So Free line was redesigned which is why I was like, whatever, measure me, I’ll try it, and I will show you how it won’t fit me. Last part was in my head, of course.
Y’all, she told me I was a 32C/D after looking at her chart. I repeat, a freaking 32C/D!!! Ummm, WHAT?! I technically measure a 28G UK (28I US) but I usually wear 30FF UK (30H US) as it’s more comfortable and still supportive. My shape sometimes means I have to size down a cup size. I do sometimes take the 70/32 in Polish bras because they have tighter bands. Other La Senza associates have measured me at 32DD which is a little bit closer. I had a huge laugh inside when she said that. But it was more shock as she was confident in her measurements.
So I say, I have a 32D at home - the last one I bought, and I spill out of it and the band is too big. So she brings me a few 32DDs, which are actually really pretty. I’d totally buy if they had 28/30 bands in equivalent cup sizes, despite being a little too shallow for my soft, projected tissue. I pointed out 1) the spillover in the cups and 2) the massive side boob. She had seen the hooks on the tightest setting. She tried to put on the loosest, which of course is right. She got something right. Except then I pull the band so far away from my back that I can actually get my whole hand in between, perpendicularly, without it touching bra or skin. I say, this is too loose to give me any support. It will ride up all day and compromise the fit and support. And she hooks it back to the tightest hooks. I once again pull it out far more than 2 fingers.
While she’s in the fitting room, she notices my Attollo Emelie and comments on how pretty it is and I tell her about the company, showed her the tag which happened to have 30FF on it. I put it on the hooks specifically to get her attention. Ha ha! It worked!
Anyway she brings a 32DDD which is a better fit in the cups, barely. I told her it’s not really a value to buy a bra that you have to do up on the tightest hooks straight away that’s already loose unless it’s on massive sale, but even then, it’s a waste because it’s not getting full wear or longevity. Unless it’s altered to be tighter in the band.
So to recap, she measured me at 32C/D. That’s an index size of 32:3/32:4. My current index size is 30:8 (or 28:9 if I’m going with the technical fit). Going with 30:8 index size, she measured me 1 band too big and about 3 or 4 cups too small.
The sad thing is that these young women are simply following the guides they have hanging on their belts and have no idea that they are using the +4/5 method. They have no idea how to properly measure, have no idea about shape characteristics, etc. And if you try to say something or prove to them that they didn’t measure you correctly, they think you’re weird and/or annoying. It’s just frustrating to see how mis-measuring continues and perpetuates wearing the wrong size.
NB I do actually really like the one I tried. Maaaaybe if it’s cheap enough at the end of the season or at some point, I will buy it and have the band and straps altered (because they are lacy bralette straps and attach more broadly than normal thin ones, so they have to be moved to be able to trim the band length).
Filed under Bras ups and downs
7 comments
Ha ha... but not really! A truly sad experience.
The last time I was in LaSenza a woman walked in who appeared to be a 30J (or more, my sizometer is not perfect!) saying she was looking for 38DD. The rep was happy to help her out with that.
I have checked out Victoria Secrets measurement technique and their current method is to measure above your breasts to determine the band size. Not sure what is up with that. I do agree with you in that the sales representatives truly are following company policy to shoehorn you into a bra. It is not that the reps are wearing appropriately sized bras themselves.
I mean, I know that they are bad, but 32C/D is ridiculous. I’m usually measured by the associate at 32DD which is not too far off base. Yes, it’s too small, but only by a cup or two. And I can do some 32 bands if tight enough. The one that I looked at appeared to be reinforced lace - their lace is always too stretchy - but with it on top of a solid band I had hopes that maybe that would make it fit snugger. Nope.
I don’t mind them measuring me and bringing me stuff to try, honestly. But I need to think out my responses and actions better to teach them without sounding annoying because I feel like each measurement is a teaching opportunity. But I don’t want to come across as being a crazy know-it-all.
This thread has 7 comments. Log in to read them