Buying Bras at Marks and Spencer
Today I had a long consultation regarding my gynecomastia at my doctor's surgery today (there will be a separate post about this) and the Practice Nurse agreed with me that a sports bra might be suitable for managing my 40B breasts and the bounce problem.
She suggested I go to the local Marks and Spencer and gave me a short list of bras to try.
At M&S Fosse Park, Leicester, I was offered help with my shopping list by an older Asian assistant who offered to help me - once l'd established that I was shopping for myself.
She offered to help me in the (male) fitting room which was gratefully accepted, and it quickly became apparent I wouldn't have got any of the bras on or off without her help. (Knowing the theory and watching your wife is no substitute for the actual contortions!)
The first bra we tried was the Goodmove ultimate support zip up non wired in 40B which was an excellent fit, but she talked me out of the blue and said the coral would be less visible.
Next up were Goodmove 2pk Ultimate Support Non-Wired Sports Bras - and we couldn't get anything to fit properly. The assistant went trotting back and forth with different sizes 40A, 42C as well as 40B but in all of them there was too much unfilled cup near the top. She inducted me into the art of swooping and scooping, but nothing fitted. I didn't buy any of these.
Lastly, and I was getting very hot and sweaty by this point, was her suggestion - not on my list - of a Body Invisibles Non Wired Crop Top. This is a padded bra, but the assistant suggested removing the padding to remove the obvious shape, and the size 18 fits perfectly - but with a small amount of visible nipple which vanishes under a tee shirt.
The help I got was invaluable as a first time bra wearer.
The lack of judgement and 'surprise' by the staff in the fittings room was exemplary.
Other customers didn't seem to notice me as I was going through the racks, and walking through the shop carrying my purchases.
The biggest issue I faced wasn't what I had expected (embarrassment) but with finding the style on the multitude of displays and then the size & colour | wanted on the extremely confusing racks.
9/10 for the shop; 8/10 for the sizing