I have never been a fan of bras. I’ve always found them uncomfortable and restrictive but maybe that’s because I’ve never worn the correct size. For many women it’s not something that comes as a given when we choose our first off–the-rack bra at K-mart. As the years go by, many of us (you know who you are) just guess at our bra size as our bodies change with age.
Well enough was enough. If I had to wear the stupid things, it was time to find out what size I should wear. Anyone that’s handled the Queens’ bazookas is good enough for mine so last week I went along to the Conduit Street branch of Rigby & Peller for a walk-in fitting. Luckily there was no wait. I was ushered quickly into the changing rooms and told to strip off. After a quick glance at the goods, my fitter briefly popped out of the cubicle before returning with two bras for me to try on.
Don’t you have to measure me with a tape first?, I asked
She laughed in a way suggesting I was an imbecile.
We don’t need to use tapes, she poohed-poohed. We can tell.
And sure enough she could. Although slightly different sizes, both bras fitted me well.
How can I be two sizes?, I queried.
Which size you wear will depend on the manufacturer, she told me. So you should always try it on before you buy.
The da-da-da moment came as she told me what size bras I had just tried on. I was shocked. They were nowhere in the ballpark of what I had been wearing for the past EIGHTEEN years.
Happens all the time, she said. You should get yourself measured every 6-8 months actually.
Well I never. Ladies, do yourselves a favour and get fitted. It’s a whole new world upfront
