Where to buy good underwear in the UK? - YouLookFab Forum

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Where to buy good underwear in the UK?

KarinSwe

Does anyone have any recommendations for good places to buy underwear in the UK, with good quality, but still quite cheap? Preferably stores that can be found in London, so I could try on in person, but I could try ordering home as well!

There is actually one thing I'm specifically after - a white cami with a proper built-in bra! I have one in black from M&S, http://www.marksandspencer.com.....e&rh=, which they used to have in white as well, but I don't think they have them instores still. Also, I'm not too happy with the cut... Any ideas?

Many thanks!

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Ele

RoseandJoan

Veteran

You may like the selection on offer at Debenhams, they stock many different brands at different price points. I'm unsure of the quality but La Senza may also be worth a look.

Louise

Veteran

I was going to say marks but looks like you've been there already. Bhs have some good stuff. Have heard good things about store 21 knickers but can't speak from experience. have you tried TK Maxx? they've usually got loads of styles x

Ele

(website)

I say M&S is hard to beat for underwear- in fact, I was buying some there earlier today! Cheap, lots of styles, and very good quality. My Mum used to say that "Marks and Spencer is the only store that cares more about quality than their customers do", lol! The knickers that come in packs of 5 are excellent value.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Hi

You could try one of the other department stores like John Lewis or Debenhams. Your other alternative is somewhere like La Senza. Depending on your size you could consider looking at Bravissimo. There is also a store on Oxford Circus that you could try, can't recall its name at the moment - something like Tenzin?

KarinSwe

Great ideas everyone, thank you! I'll have a look at Debenhams and La Senza. I've heard good things about TK Maxx as well, I'll try and go to one of their stores one day! I've been to M&S a few times, but I find it hard to find something that suits me there!

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

TK Maxx are great - I should shop there more. I don't know where you live in London but the two most "central" ones are Hammersmith and Kensington High Street.

Dawn

(website)

I love Debenhams! They have so many different ranges at various prices, and the sales assistants in there tend to be really helpful in my experience, i.e. don't badger me about wanting a 30 band. I do have a few issues with my local Debenhams as they rarely ever stock a 30 band under a D but I discovered today that I have gone up a cup size in the last four months to a D.

I've found M&S underwear to be good quality but their fitting service dissapointing. I had an argument with a fitter in there about needing a 30 band and after explaining to her that 32 bands on the tightest hook are way too loose on me after a month, she still wanted to put me in a 32 band.

Ele

(website)

Good point, Dawn. M&S's fitting service really is horrible, and they hardly have any bras under a 32 band.

Are you talking about undies/knickers in particular, or all underwear (including bras), Karin? There are probably lots of good places to get knickers and things, but I wouldn't trust anywhere but Bravissimo (or maybe Rigby & Peller) with bra fitting.

KarinSwe

Thanks londonkiwi! I live east, Hackney/Shoreditch, so cannot easily just "pop in", but I'll try to go to one of the stores sometime!

And thanks Dawn, I'll definitely go to Debenhams one day!

Ele, I've been after a black multiway bra, and yesterday I found one at La Senza, but straight afterwards I found one at H&M which I actually liked much better, and for more than half the price! I never buy bras at H&M otherwise, don't like their quality at all, but, this one seems a bit different! Also, I want a white cami with built-in bra, but that seems almost impossible to find!

As I understand it Bravissimo only do sizes from DD? Although the bra from La Senza actually ended up being 30DD I think, I normally have 34C or 36B, so then Bravissimo might not be for me? Or can you still get a bra fitting? Oh, Rigby & Peller is a bit too pricey for my student budget..! But maybe I could sneak in for a bra fitting without buying anything?

Louise

Veteran

Karin I have the following cami with built in bra type support from m & S x
http://www.marksandspencer.com.....e&rh=

They do several others too
http://www.marksandspencer.com.....pportvests

KarinSwe

Oh, thanks Louise, that looks great! I've been to M&S several times, looking around, asking for help, but never been showed this one! Brilliant, I'll look for it next time I'm there!

Louise

Veteran

I've never seen them in store either but you can order online for collection in store i think x

KarinSwe

Ah, ok, thanks for letting me know! Can I just ask, is it just like an elastic band and some extra fabric for the support, or is there proper cups, as a padded bra?

Louise

Veteran

It's just an elastic band with extra fabric. I wear them for bed usually as it offers a bit of extra support. This one i bought because it can be strapless i wanted it as an extra layer under party dresses so would be wearing a bra also i guess, but on second thoughts it may work without hummm i'll have to give it a go without the bra thanks for the idea x

KarinSwe

Thanks so much for the reply Louise! I'm really after something which I can wear as a bra, to get away from the double layers of bra+cami... So, I'll keep looking, but thanks so much for your replies!

Louise

Veteran

No prob i'll keep my eyes peeled and let you know if i spot anything suitable x

KarinSwe

Oh, thanks Louise, that's so sweet

Ele

(website)

Karin, Bravissimo does bras from a D cup and larger. I'm pretty sure they offer fittings to everyone, though- and since the average bra size in the UK is something like a 34DD, you might be surprised! My sister, who is quite small up top (ie went for years wearing A's and B's), went to Rigby & Peller (which I can't afford either- just recommended it as a fitting service for all sizes) for a fitting because she was sure that she'd be laughed out of Bravissimo- and ended up in a 30D. Give it a try sometime, they have very reasonable prices and good sales.

Just for future reference!