My Nordstoms lingerie dept disappoints

Peri

I had high hopes...Angie says Nordstoms is the place to go for bra fitting...but apparently not every store.

I gave it two tries but really struck out. For one, the department is small and the selection is not very good. But worse, the staff is not very helpful and don't seem to know the bras. They couldn't advise me on what wasn't working, what might work better, or really give much help at all.

I guess all Nordstoms are not created equal.

12 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Kristin L

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh no!! That's awful. I'm sorry :(.

Did you get fitted by the lingerie manager? If not, that's your best bet.

12 years ago

Peri

Veteran

There were only two women both times I was there. I don't know if one of them was the manager. I suppose I could call and make an appointment, but the style and brand selection are actually smaller than other department stores in the area. I think it just doesn't live up to the Nordstrom image on several levels.

12 years ago

Elly

Veteran

I've had this happen. I tried to make an appointment but was not able to. A woman was able to fit me, but I wasn't impressed with the selection. They didn't have any small bands with large cups and very few European manufacturers. I had spillage out of several of the bras, but the fitter kept insisting she couldn't put me in a larger size (according to her it would be to big) and suggested that my b**bs were just weird. After she practically had me in tears, I went out and searched for a fit on my own and found out why she couldn't fit me in something bigger . . . they literally didn't have a bra in the size I SHOULD wear. Very irritating. I'd been to this particular Nordies before and wasn't happy with the customer service then either. However, I don't think I've ever been to another Nordstroms. I do love their customer service online and the quick free shipping and I own some of their house brand clothing which I am happy with.

However, for bra fitting I ended up at Intimacy (I realize many don't have this option and I understand, I live 10 hours from Nordies or Intimacy, but once a year or so get to visit a city with one and always go out of my way to visit for bras). The fitter was professional and had me in the correct size with multiple options in minutes.

12 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I can't speak to the lingerie dept. in particular, but I wanted to say I can 'relate' to some stores just not being as good as others.

I remember raving about Macy's to my Mom, and taking her to a local store - it was terrible for her finding plus sizes. Same thing when we met up in Las Vegas for a vacation (completely useless, that Macy's store in the so-called 'Fashion Show Mall') and yet, I've since taken her to other Macy's stores where the selection and service were top-notch.

Hate to say it, but I think this is just something with dept. stores in general? Don't laugh, but I have a running list of "Good Macy's and Bad Macy's" in my head.

I wonder if the same is true of Nordstrom?

I have a little tiny, rinky-dink looking Nordstrom Rack store near my house, and yet on a recent trip to Boulder CO, I noticed a new Rack store there that was HUGE - half way across the parking lot, three levels high and so on.

Meanwhile, I don't think this means Nordstrom as a whole is bad at bra fittings, but that perhaps they also have the so-called "Good Nordstrom and Bad Nordstrom" problem, just like I found with Macy's.

You might be better off at a specialty lingerie store?

Hang in there, I know it's no fun to try and force yourself to go and do this sort of thing (I'm always so awkward when it comes to bra fittings), and then to come away feeling frustrated like this is no good.

I hope you try again - maybe not Nordstrom, but perhaps a proper lingerie store next time.

12 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Aw, this makes me very sad...FWIW I think you should send an email to customer service. They take feedback very seriously.

12 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

It's sad to hear. I've found the Nordstrom lingerie departments disappointing for bras sometimes, too, in that they don't have as much selection in my size as I would like. They seem to have more promising ones online, and I don't want to buy bras online. Even so, I've had the best luck at Nordstrom in getting bras that do fit correctly. Wish your store offered the same excellent fitting service I've gotten.
Elly, your experience is fairly horrifying. Wow.

12 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Yes Velvety, I do think its a bad Nordstoms and not really representative. They also don't have a lot of choices in clothing, and the cosmetics department is understaffed. When it opened about 5 years ago every counter was staffed. Now often when I go in an SA is working a few counters but not trained in all of them...I have to explain what I'm looking for and they can't even help because they don't know the product.

Elly, my experience was not that bad, but similar. I have always worn a 34D but wasn't finding one I liked. She measured and put me in a 32DD...the band squeezed tight even on the first hook and I had fat kind of pushed up under my arms. I pointed it out and she just said "well, you know...". As if it was me and I should accept it, and not the bra fitting wrong.

12 years ago

eperdu

Active Member

I'm not a fan of Nordstrom for lingerie either. I'm in the small size end of the spectrum and they never have anything to fit. I've tried many different ones over the years. I've not yet been to the one downtown Seattle mostly because I've settled on Frederick's of Hollywood bra's which I have found for my weird sizing.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I don't have a Nordies within a reasonable driving distance - closest one is half a day away.

I googled lingerie shops in my area, and I found a small regional chain (only 3 stores) and the were FABULOUS!!! They really knew their stuff, but then this is all they do.

I learned I was in the wrong size, and they had a lot in stock for me to try. Even at my new size. And they knew their stuff. After trying on one or two different bras, they steered me into some European brands that were ideal for the size, shape and position of post-nursing girls. I was really impressed. AND they were $5 a bra cheaper than the same bras at Herroom.com. Which is funny, because I would have given a $5 premium for that level of service.

I would see if you have something similar in your area. I would have never thought a store like this would exist near me!

12 years ago

Carole

Veteran

That's so surprising! Usually, Nordstrom is the BEST with bra fittings. Perhaps another smaller boutique style lingerie store would be worth a try.

12 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I'm sorry Peri. I went and had my first Nordstrom's bra fitting over the weekend and thought that the lady who helped me was wonderful. She listened to my concerns and brought me a ton of bras to try on. Like everyone else has said, see if you have a local lingerie shop that can help. I'd avoid Victoria's Secret though.

12 years ago

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