First ever trip to Nordstrom and bra fitting experience - YouLookFab Forum

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First ever trip to Nordstrom and bra fitting experience

Tanya

Veteran

So I finally got to go to Nordstrom outside of the town, I have never been to a Nordstrom store before (only shopped online) and I have to say that I'm deeply impressed with their customer service overall. Everybody was super nice and extremely helpful. I'll go back there every time whenever I can.

So I finally got fitted for a bra as you guys recommended on that old "Bras for small chest" thread. I thought that I was between a 32 almost B and 34A, but turned out I am 32C! I was a bit relieved ( I was fearing to be fitted to be 32 AA) and some fit issues from the past made sense! I'll never go to VS again in my life for bras ( just for cotton panties). I got these two bras for start, and the both fit so well and I feel very good in them ( both in nude):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....6&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/28.....6&P=1
Unfortunately I could not try on/buy any Chantelle since they were completely sold out of everything with band size 32 and 34. But I will try it the next time.

Being who I am, I stopped by the shoe department and couldn't resist these Me Too wedges in brown giraffe:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=1
They were so comfy in the store. They are shipping them to me since they didn't have the combo of the right color and size in the store.

I tried one the flared white Ginger jeans from 7's in size 27 but there was an inch and a half of space on the both sides of my waist (the hips fit OK) and they did bot have a 26 in the store. The did have a 26 in the blue wash but since the materials were so different and they sizes go all over the place i hesitated to order the white 26 till i try them on in person.

However the majority of shopping was done for a great friend of mine who came with me. We found here a perfectly fitting bikini, jeans, and some skirts and tops.

Oh, and I got a huge yellow patent tote from Express. All in all a very good day for shopping and bad for my wallet.

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from Lannie

Maya

Veteran

I KNEW there was something off when you told me you don't have much of a chest! I think 99.999999% of women I have known who have went for a bra fitting have ended up being a different size...most frequently a VERY different size than they anticipated. I thought I was a 34C on my first bra fitting and I ended up being a 32D. Chantelle makes the best bras ever and you won't regret it. If you treat them well they will last you forever.

The shoes are absolutely adorable! Sounds like a fab shopping day.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I really need to get to Nordie's and do a bra fitting. My bras are getting worn out, so it's on my short list of things to do.

Love the shoes! Wedges--your signature piece.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wonderful. I am a loyal Nordies girl. Nordstrom head office is in Seattle. I'm so lucky.

I have been wearing Chantelle bras for 16 years. There is NO substitute if you have a regular sized chest. I went to a Chantelle factory in France in my buying days. Incredible. You have no idea how much work goes into the manufacture of a single bra – that’s why they cost so much. Worth every penny though. And I happen to be a 32C too!

Adorable wedges.

Anonymous

I'm so glad you had such a great experience at Nordstrom, bwhich happens to be one of my favorite stores. Great customer service. I hope you feel good about your bras and your size.

I am with the other girls. I love love love Chantelle bras. I actually got fitted at Nordstrom about a year and a half ago, where I found out I am a 34DDD, NOT a 34D. Ever since then, I have sworn by Chantelle's bras. They are the only brand that makes a bra that fits me perfectly (I do have an odd size, so its hard). They are worth every penny.

I hope you enjoy your new bras.

Nicole

Veteran

OMG I absolutely LOVE those shoes!!!

I'm so glad you had a positive experience in your bra shopping quest. I've never had luck being fitted for a bra, but then I've been to Nordies. I will rethink my decision to only measure myself and head there for a fitting. Do you need an appointment? I'm still loosing weight (slowly) so I'm waiting til the weight loss stops before I buy any new bras or get fitted.

shiny

Veteran

I'm actually going on a bra-fitting trip later today. But not for me: for my youngest daughter. She's grown out of her bra and last night she tried on mine and it was also too small for her! We're just going to VS though. She wants at least one bra in a bright color that she can wear under tank tops and not mind the bra strap showing. (You're allowed to do that look, I think, until you hit about 18).

Becky

Veteran

I plan to go to Nordstrom in June for a bra fitting. I don't hold out any hope, though, that they'll put me in a larger cup size! The nearest Nordstrom is at least a 5-hour drive away, but I'll be visiting the Twin Cities next month, so I'll get my first look at Mall of America!

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you all for the nice comments.

Nicole, you don't need any appointment at all, they basically fit pretty much everyone browsing the lingerie department who wants to have a fitting. And you don't have to buy anything if you don't want to.

Shiny, be careful with the VS ( from experience), they've put me in 34A. They definitely have cute colorful bras geared towards the teenagers - the 'pink' line.
They are just not good with any 'unusual' sizes such as small band/big cup size combo or the opposite. But they might work for your daughter, especially if she falls into relatively average sizes. Just don't let them do the: "you're 34C, but we don't have this bra in that size. However, we do have a 36B, which is technically the same size" thing. If they don't have the right size in the store, but they do generally carry it, order it online. Let us know how it goes!

I loved the Chantelle bras at the Nordstrom but they only had sizes such as 36D. But I'll go again in few weeks ( my friend is hooked on as well) and hopefully they'll get some.

shiny

Veteran

Yeah, I just can't see spending $75 for a 13 year old's bra... especially because she may still be growing! VS will do just fine. I would just take her to Target, but she wants one in a color that can show under camis in the summer.

I have worn their Body bra for ages, 34B. She's been wearing a 34A and tried mine on last night and it looked *almost* like it fit... but she was popping out a bit on top. I think she needs a size larger or more coverage than a demi.

I also just get too overwhelmed in department store bra departments. So hopefully we'll find something for her today at VS.

Antje

Veteran

I love Chantelles as well, but found DKNY also a pretty decent alternative, at a much lower price point (around $30-35).

katieck

Sounds like you had a very successful day, Tanya! The yellow tote sounds awesome.

I recently got fitted at Macy's. After I stopped nursing my 2nd child, my boobs were basically deflated sacks of flesh. Let's just say I'm tiny on top. However, it feels good to be wearing the RIGHT SIZE. No matter your size, the right bra does wonders.

Tanya

Veteran

Shiny, I hope you find a nice cute bra for you daughter at VS today. I wasn't trying to imply that you should get Chantelle for her ( I am yet to get one myself and I'm 30!), I just wanted to warn you to be careful as they tend to substitute sizes if they don't have the right one. I apologize if it came out the wrong way.

Thanks for the tip Antje, I'll give DKNY a try now that I know the right size.

Katieck I agree on wearing the right size. I was wearing one of the new ones today and I could totally forget I had it on! Very nice feeling. I was carrying my yellow tote today and I am just about to take pictures of my today's outfit and post it, so if you like it it's on sale for $29!

shiny

Veteran

Tanya - no problem!

Here's what happened (we just got back). We went to VS and they basically had very little in stock in her size. She tried on several bras and I was amazed at how inconsistent the fit was - same exact bra, same color, same size, would fit completely differently. And none of them fit her very well - no matter what style or size we tried. I fear VS has gone downhill in recent years!!

We got frustrated so we headed to Bloomie's (that's the only department store in the mall we were at, and I didn't have the energy to drive further afield). Turns out their prices on lingerie are comparable, from what I could tell.

A very nice lady in the lingerie department helped us out and did a proper fitting - for *both* of us!! Since I'd just read about Chantelle bras here, I decided to give it a shot myself. Esp because they have a bra club so every 4th bra is 25% off.

The thing with the VS bras, which I have been wearing for years, is that after a few months they stretch too much - no matter how careful you are with them. So I am constantly replacing htem. So I figured I would try on this Rolls Royce of bras (that's what the sales clerk called them) while we were at it.

No, I didn't buy a $75 bra for my DD13. She liked Calvin Klein and found three to her liking. I bought the Chantelle for myself!! Actually, I bought three... in three different styles. I liked nearly everyone I tried on. They do fit very VERY well... esp if you are, erm, older and need more, erm, magic.

We then headed over the BR, where I wanted to return something, and checked out the tops Angie is raving about on her blog today. They were all picked over in the petite section, and only had black, light blue, orange, and a color that is not red or orange - call it blood orange? I bought the blood orange. It works with not one but - 4 - skirts I own.

Meanwhile my DD scooped up some $10 camis in pretty colors for herself. So we had a good mother/daughter day of shopping, and now I'm utterly exhausted!

FYI, the BR clerks said they are getting a huge shipment in tomorrow. Tuesday is definetly the day to shop there.

Tanya

Veteran

Shiny, I am very glad you had a nice experience! The same band stretching on VS bra happened to me as well, and a lot! Here's something you're all gonna laugh at:
I have used the hot glue gun to glue on extra hooks on them towards the side so that I could tighten them more!

Would you mind sharing the names/models of the Chantelle bras you got? I'm very curious to try them on and would like a starting point.

And thanks for the BR info, could be very useful!

shiny

Veteran

I have been tempted to sew mine tighter. But it's not just the band - the whole thing seems to stretch out. These new ones just seemed to feel better - but it could also be the newness. Only time will tell how they wear.

I just realized only two are Chantelle. We tried on sooooo many bras! The only way to do it! Anyway, I got:

1) Chantelle Sensua:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....6&P=1

2) Chantelle Light:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....erwire_Bra

and

3) Eilene West - can't find a photo. Very pretty tee shirt bra with some lace on the band. Uber-comfy too.

Bra #2: the clerk recommended it for hot weather. I suffered sweaty bra syndrome last summer in spain, but I don't really like cotton bras because they don't give enough, erm, magic. If you know what I mean. This one looks like it'll be much cooler. If it works out, I may stock up on this one for the summer.

I tried on about 10 different Chantelle styles, including a couple lacy 'n racey types... but I passed those up because for that price I need something that will work under clothes, not just with clothes off!

Meanwhile DD got two Calvin Kleins (two different styles) in nude and one lilac bra (not sure what brand) that she can wear under camis and not worry if anyone sees the straps. I did not like the Calvin's on me. I think you need to be a bit more youthful for them.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

My VS bras always stretch out as well--I'm through with them! Even their cotton panties cut me in a weird place and aren't that comfortable at all. I really like the seamless panties from Soma Angie recommended in her blog. I bought 3 pairs last week and now I wish I had enough to wear everyday. And Chantelle bras are definitely on my list of things to buy.

Glad you had a productive shopping trip, Shiny!

Julia

Thanks Shiny for the info. I'm tempted to try out the Chantelle too. I used to wear VS and ditched it years ago. I found Gap's bras better than VS and love CK too.

nenamatahari

Isn't it funny how women always seem to UNDERestimate the size of their breasts?

I notice that VS stuff wears out a lot sooner.

I think I'm going to take that trip to Indianapolis to get a fitting. I can use some new bras any way.

nancy

I will be in Indy. soon and wondered if anyone knows if there are any bra "speciality" stores there? I have read about such stores in larger cities like Chicago and NYC.

Lannie

I just got my first Chantelle bra (gift from mom) recently, and it's definitely the best-fitting and best-quality bra I've ever had. I would get a pile of them if it weren't for the inhibitive cost. Calvin Klein seems to work out okay for me for the time being, and that's a bit more in my price range. The Canadian equivalent of Victoria's Secret (La Senza) has similar issues with quality, so I'm trying to avoid buying their stuff anymore.