Thursday, March 14, 2024

Nordstrom In Store Bra Fitting

by Cristina

If you are bra shopping, Nordstrom is where to buy bras. They carry high quality brands and they offer a proper Bra Fitting Service. Wether you are a 32DDD, 36c bra size, or a 30G bra, a proper bra fitting is essential for every size! You may be surprised at how wrong you where about your bra size. I went from a B cup to a double d bra size.

For more on bra size for larger bust women (double d bra size and up) read this post here. It’s much more up to date!

I tried the Nordstrom Bra Fitting Service

Bra shopping is a pain, isn’t it? I’ve felt zero excitement over bra shopping, which many of you can relate to. I’ve always just gone to Victoria Secret. I’d find the molded cup tee shirt bra section, find the size cup my breasts filled, with a comfortable band.  

Bra shopping is as bad as jean shopping or bathing suit shopping. Those two things are just demoralizing as shopping for a new bra. Bra shopping is simply a nuisance or chore purchase and kind of pointless for us little breasted folks. Slipping bra straps is just a thing everybody puts up with all the time, isn’t it? I’m small in the bust so I’ve never felt back pain or the lack of ‘support’. I didn’t realize that my bra size was wrong and actually not providing me with any support at all. I never filled a cup properly. Also, I figured I was just really small breasted and needed padding to provide my shape.

I’ve been fitted a few times before at La Senza and Victoria Secret. Those stores always put me in a 36 band with either a B cup or a C cup. I never questioned it and felt confident I was just that size.


A good time to buy the popular Natori Bras or other good quality bras at nordstrom on sale is during the nordstrom anniversary sale. Nordstrom is where to buy bras if you care about quality and proper fit. 

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What to expect at your Bra Fitting appointment at nordstrom

Last week I was at Nordstrom shopping for a new bra. My current bra was slipping off my shoulders. It went on to the point I safety pinned the straps to the inside of a dress. I thought I’d find something similar to replace it with there, thinking the straps had just stretched out too much. Nordstrom is where to buy bras in Vancouver.

 The department manager offered me a Nordstrom Bra Fitting. Luckily for me she was persistent and convinced me I needed a fitting. I didn’t have time that day. Howevershe told me I was probably not a 36B (what I had grabbed off the rack) and by vision she could tell I was more likely a D cup.

Was she crazy? She couldn’t be right…

I thought she was crazy so I left but I came back a few days later with more time and gave in to a proper fitting.  The manager told me that they actually do a 30 day training course in fittings and are trained by representatives of all the brands they carry since different bra brands (French brands vs. American) have different sizing scales.

The fitting took about 25 minutes and consisted of the fitter measuring me over my bra with her standing behind me. Once she decided on my band size (smaller than I expected) taking three sets of measurements with my inhaling, exhaling and relaxed standings she brought a variety of bras in that band size in a few different cup sizes. C, D and DD and a variety of different styled bras and variety of brands.

I really thought she was insane when she brought me this bra  in a double d bra size which is the style bra she starts off all fittings with. It was bigger than my head! She had me pull my top down (facing the wall with her behind me) and she passed me the bra over my head to put on and she hooked the back and adjusted the straps. And oh my god my breasts filled that DD bra and it felt snug around my ribs and my breasts where lifted.  

Shocked at my new size is an undestatement

I looked in the mirror and I was shocked that I looked more proportional in this new size with a nicer profile silhouette and higher breast. It turns out the reason the DD size is the right cup size for me is that I actually have large breast but they are shallow (not projected) and tissue goes all the way up to my collar bone and under my armpits. Some breasts have a very narrow base and project but I have a very wide base.

This means that I need to find a specific cup style that doesn’t cut me off too low causing quad boob and that the cups are wide enough to scoop me up in the underarm area. Having the right band size (snug!) is what gives you 80% of your support and creates lift. Another thing to look for is seaming in the cups which provides you with the remaining lifting and shaping.

My b cup bra was not working for me because it was resting on top of all of that tissue and not scooping up and supporting me at the band, and the band was so loose that the straps would move around and loosen themselves up constantly. A really great resource for you for deciding breast shape vs. bra style is this Reddit group called A Bra That Fits.

Get a professional bra fitting, anywhere!

If you aren’t near Nordstrom or a lingerie boutique that specializes in fitting, there are other options. There are guides online showing how you can measure yourself. Just don’t go to a ’fast fashion’ brand for a fitting. Or one of those brands that have ’unique’ sizing.

Where to buy bras: For size 32DDD / 30G Bra size 

She had my try on unlined bras too! It turns out, what is my ideal fit for my shape is a low cut unlined bra. Soft cup lace bras without padding and in a demi cup (half cup) style is now my favourite! It’s not hard to find good quality bras at nordstrom!

This Chantelle Opera Demi Bra in a 34D (not a DD as it is a French brand and sized different). This was the revolutionary try on for me because never in a million years would I have known that a soft cup ‘sexy’ bra could give me shape and lift without relying on foam molding. I know you A and B cup girls know exactly what I’m talking about!

I’m loving this style for summer because it is very breathable and cool. Also, I love that it has vertical seams which as I mentioned above, give great lift and shape. And lets face it, a lacey pretty bra make it exciting to go bra shopping! For modesty you can add some cups or inserts as I do but if you are wearing a thicker tee it’s really not necessary. This was another Chantelle bra that she had me try on that we both agreed looked ideal, but I didn’t purchase.

Good Quality Bras at Nordstrom

Since making my new bra purchases, the giant Wacoal Tee Shirt Bra (molded but not padded cups) and my lacey soft cup Chantelle bra, I am really happy and excited about bra shopping. If you are looking for where to buy bras, nordstrom is one of my favourite spots. Nordstrom carries the very hard to find 32DDD bra size as well as 30G.

So far neither of these bras have had any strap slippage or even strap movement. The Wacoal especially is very, very supportive and stays put. I initially had really horrible back pain after a full day of wearing my 34D cups and very sore breasts up top around my collar bone but I realize that I’ve gone a lifetime without having any breast support and I also had a lot of breast tissue that has never actually been inside a cup before or lifted up that high.

Adjusting to my new double d bra size

There was a lot of muscle adjusting going on that first day to my new double d bra size! I’ve been so used to how an i’ll fitting bra feels that I was very aware of how these new bras felt on.

My old 36B bras are now in the bottom of a garbage can and I’m very tempted to throw some lighter fluid on them. If you haven’t had a PROPER fitting yet get on it!! You will feel like a million bucks! You will probably spend all your lululemon budget on new bras though.

Nordstrom Bra Fitting

the sweat edit blogger trying on a 34DD bra

the sweat edit blogger trying the Nordstrom Bra Fitting

the sweat edit blogger trying the Nordstrom Bra Fitting in 34DD

the sweat edit blogger trying on a double D size

woman trying on a double d bra size

woman trying on a bra

recommendation for bras for plus size women

If you are a double d or larger cup size, or you need bras for plus size women, look at the brand Behave Bras. Behave Bra from sharktank is a great style of bra for plus size women. Its not carried at Nordstrom, but definitely worth looking into. I’ve heard great reviews!

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24 comments

Sarah Boulter April 9, 2016 - 6:43 am

Hi! I had a similar experience on our honeymoon last year. I was getting fed up with my 34B cutting into my breast tissue so I was wearing mostly the flow y or energy bras and went to VS where one of the lovely staff (this was in Las Vegas) took the time to measure me and convincing me to try a 34D. Hallelujah!! Perfect comfy fit so I'm never going back to the wrong size again. Wish I had done it sooner.

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Anonymous April 9, 2016 - 6:44 am

Thank you for such a detailed post on bra shopping. Most women haven't a clue as to thier real bra size (unless one is in France 😉 and should get a proper fitting.
By the way, bras that no longer fit, yet are still in good condition, can be donated. Not long ago, Journelle Lingerie in NYC had an incentive driven month long donation program. However, look for local places for women in need – such as "dress for success". One woman's trash could be another woman's perfect fit! 🙂

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Lulumum April 9, 2016 - 7:01 am

Thanks! I have a few bras that aren't worn very often (strapless multi way and my racerback) and only on occasions when I need the different strap or racerback so those are absolutely denotable. My everyday style though was definitely too worn to be a dignified donation.

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Our Daily Lemon April 9, 2016 - 1:49 pm

Nordstrom + Chantelle is the recipe for bra happiness!! I have 2 of their Rive Gauche Racerback bras and they are totally amazing. The right fit changes everything and I'm so happy for you! It makes getting dressed way more fun.

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Lulumum April 9, 2016 - 2:12 pm

Thanks!! I'm really wanting the Rive Gauche actually. It seems perfect for lower cut tops.

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Anonymous April 9, 2016 - 4:19 pm

Wow, this is a great post! I am SO going to get a bra fitting at Nordstrom the next time I'm in the U.S.

You look so shapely and 10 lbs thinner in the "after" pictures. It really is an amazing difference. The bras you bought are so pretty.

If anyone has a recommendation for a strapless bra that is has molded cups but is not padded or push up, please let me know! I'm looking for is a bra with no straps that does not give me unnatural lumps. So hard to find…

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Anonymous April 10, 2016 - 1:20 am

I have had so much trouble with strapless bras, but finally found a great one. The brand is called Montelle intimates!

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Anonymous April 9, 2016 - 4:53 pm

Thank you for this post!! I had a formal bra fitting at a formal lingerie boutique a couple of years ago, and I could not believe the difference in what a proper bra can do for you support, shape, lift, etc. It was truly glorious. I was always wearing the correct size, but the fit and lift cannot compare. I will now happily pay $150 for a proper bra as it it worth it. I will never go back to other brands. My go to brand is now Marie Jo, and specifically the Avero bra. Thanks for sharing 🙂

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Samantha Brown April 9, 2016 - 7:20 pm

I need to look into getting another fitting. I was fitted 5+ years ago at an Intimacy store in Atlanta, and I was a 32B. I recently lost about 7-8lbs, and I know I lost some from my (already tiny) boobs. I feel like a 32A might be too small, but a 30B would be just right. Of course, I need to get fitted though.

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Anonymous April 9, 2016 - 8:56 pm

I tried on a Wacoal Tee Shirt Bra (full coverage, molded but not padded cups) in a size 32 DDD (smallest band size/largest cup size my store had available) and I was majorly busting out of it – it was way too small in the cups and no way it would work! They seem to be made on the small side. I have some full coverage molded cup bras from La Senza and Victoria's Secret in a 32DD (again, smallest band size and largest cup size available) and the bands are too big (brand new have to do them up on tightest setting) and the cups are too small (causing boob muffin bulges and definitely not a full coverage look on me even though supposed to be full coverage).

The only Lululemon bra that fits me is the Ta Ta Tamer in 32E (I love love LOVE that the band is snug fitting on these which makes them work well for me) the cups on the new III version give a lot of support and lift which I love, but do push some of my boobs out at the top giving me boob muffins though, and with the II version everything was kept inside but doesn't feel as supported and lifted to me as the III.

I have a hard time finding bras that fit small enough in band size (I think I'm more like a 30 band size) and full coverage cups that are actually full coverage on me. Needless to say I stay far far away from padded and push up styles and demi styles!!

The right fit definitely makes a difference in overall appearance and in comfort! It feels great to have a well fitted bra for sure! In my case I take the closest I can get to the best fit and be happy I can at least depend on the few styles that I've found that work well for me. I actually love the Ta Ta Tamers so much they're more like my everyday everything bras!

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Lulumum April 9, 2016 - 4:34 pm

Thanks!! The photos may not show a dramatic difference with the 36B but I feel like it's a big change in how my proportions look and my posture is better.

Strapless bras have always been so terrible for me since they ride up and slide down constantly on me so I'm very curious to try one on that is my correct size. I like the Chantelle bras so I may try on a strapless in that brand and let you know how it fits. I'm thinking of going back Monday to try stuff on so check back here in the comments on Monday night or Tuesday.

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Anonymous April 10, 2016 - 12:15 am

Thanks Lulumum. Very informative. Toronto gets Nordstrom this fall and your bra fitting there sounds fantastic. Maybe in the meantime I will check out the specialty bra shops here (or Nordstrom when I'm in Vancouver). I'm very small busted and get away with soft Calvin Klein bras and LLL FTB, which are both very comfortable. I can never wear bras with molded cups or under "wire" because I can never fill in cups and I find underwire so uncomfortable. However, I would really like some prettier bras and would spend more for ones that are truly comfortable, more feminine and of course the right size.

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Anonymous April 10, 2016 - 12:19 am

PS – the before and after of you in the old size vs. new size is really quite telling about the right size! You look great!

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Anonymous April 10, 2016 - 10:47 am

You just inspired me to get a bra fitting next time I am near a Nordstroms! Which ironically, is very close to my Lulu store 🙂 I got some stuff at Athleta which I need to take back anyway.. their stuff always looks so cute, but when I put it on it's usually scratchy and there's always something about them that doesn't fit right. Good excuse to return stuff, get money, then go get a bra fitting and new bras with the money I got! Plus, there's the bonus of going to Lulu to see what is on final sale and try on cute things!

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Anonymous April 10, 2016 - 3:48 pm

Is there a charge for the bra-fitting? I absolutely need to go do this!

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Lulumum April 10, 2016 - 4:11 pm

It's totally free. You don't even need to buy anything. Just ask them to write down your size and what styles you need to look for.

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Anonymous April 11, 2016 - 1:12 am

Thanks LLM, GREAT post and so interesting! Also thanks to whoever mentioned that Toronto is getting a store. It's a couple of hour drive for me but I think it would be worth a day trip to do it as I have never had it done and think I should….

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janine57 April 11, 2016 - 1:16 am

Wow that is amazing! You look great!!

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Anonymous April 11, 2016 - 3:15 am

Thanks for sharing this! I just read another blog post about bra fittings, the girl went to 6 different places to get fitted and she got told she was a different size at almost every place. You could tell from the pictures that the nordstrom fitting was her actual right size. It's no wonder so many of us are wearing the wrong size. I so wish I lived near a nordstrom. Next time I'm in a city that has one I'll try to get fitted. Being pregnant has changed everything.

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Lulumum April 11, 2016 - 3:17 am

I just asked my mom what bra size she wears (I sort of knew approximately) and she is a very petite woman at 4'4 and just generally very small with narrow rib cage but her bust is more voluminous than mine and she is wearing a 38B. This is so crazy! I need to get her in for a fitting.

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Anonymous April 11, 2016 - 4:52 am

Based on your post, I have gone through the "a bra that fits" beginner guide (amazing!) and measured myself and I think I am a 28D rather than a 32A. I also tried on all of my existing bras and indeed the bands are too loose. It's not fun being a hard-to-find size but at least now I have a point to start from. Thanks again for your post!

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Luli Designs April 11, 2016 - 3:43 am

Thanks so much for sharing your experience at Nordstroms. I am totally going to go there once I have finished breastfeeding my second baby as I have no idea what size I will be after that and it will be great to get a good fitting bra or two.

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Allyson Kanter May 30, 2018 - 11:26 pm

This was so helpful! I just bought two Chantelle bras & they feel tight around my back so I was going to return them but it’s because I was wearing the wrong size before. I thought I was a 36 D but I’m a 34 DDDD! Shocking! I had a single mastectomy so I’m harder to fit which makes me appreciate the Nordstrom bra for specialists even more!

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Cristina May 31, 2018 - 1:03 pm

I’m so glad this was helpful for you!! It’s such a great service they offer, isn’t it?

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