Question:
How do you walk into a 'skinny' store? Part II

So I made it into Victoria's Secret because I was in desperate need of a bra that fits and because the words of encouragement here helped get me through the doors. I know bras. I used to sell them. I picked out several 38 D and 38 DD that looked like they would work nicely and so far so good... Then I get to the dressing room. I was accosted by a bleach blond with a tape measure. She put my bras in a bag. There was a waiting line for the dressing rooms, which means that there is a crowd around us as she asks me if I want to be measured. I tell her no. I am wearing a 40 D now and the band is WAY too big so I have 38 D and DD to try on. She pushes about how I should get measured because a 40 D is like a 38 DD (which isn't even true) and that my band probably isn't too big if it rides up in the back or gapes under the breast, it is probably too small... I explain it neither rides up, nor gapes, it is simply too big and no, I do not wish to be measured. I just want to try these on. This is all drawing a huge amount of attention, I am totally humiliated. She then proceeds to MEASURE ME ANYWAY while I am still telling her that I neither need nor want a fitting. She is telling me that the wires will be set different on a 38 (which I need) and that she thinks I need a 40 or maybe bigger (which I am wearing and is way too large). She was condescending, rude, and it was absolutely humiliating and traumatizing. Needless to say, after she told me that she "supposed" I could try on the 38 D/DD's that I had picked out but that I just had to press the button and she could grab the 40's that would fit, she fluttered off to let me wait my turn to get to the dressing room. I sat my bag of bras on the floor and left. I called to speak to the manager... I used to work for the parent company of Victoria Secret, so as soon as the manager started to sell the horrendous behavior as "being so PASSIONATE about getting their guests the right fit" I knew that the manager had been the one to measure me. She admitted as much when I pushed her buttons. I plan to keep going with this... regional manager, district manager... whatever is needed to get someone to acknowledge that there is a difference between offering a service and building a relationship with a customer based on education about fit and bullying and condescending behavior. After all of that, here is my question... Do I go back? I have said that I wouldn't... and usually, there is nothing that would drag me into that store. But I live in a rural area. Victoria Secret is the best game for bras in town... Macy's doesn't have anything I like and Target/Walmart/Kmart aren't even worth discussing. I was in Lane Bryant bras (which are just plus size Victoria's Secret bras by the by) but we don't have a Lane Bryant here. Like any other Victoria's Secret, the closest Lane Bryant is over 2 hours away. It took me weeks to go into that Victoria's Secret... and it was fine up until the dressing room. Now I am left wondering what to do about my bra problem... subject myself to the chance of a similar experience or....?    — Jeanette Hagar (posted on June 23, 2010)

June 22, 2010
How awful. I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience!
   — KristalleH

June 23, 2010
Is there another Victoria's Secret around you? I definitely wouldn't go back to that one if I didn't have to.
   — CourtCourt2009

June 23, 2010
Maybe you can order a few bras from online and return them if they don't fit. I do a lot of my shopping that way!
   — Jessica K.

June 23, 2010

   — Natalie B.

June 23, 2010
I agree with Natalie, go back or go to Soma. Had a lovely fit experience with them. I shared my weight loss story and they were excited with me to be buying bras for the first time in the "skinny store."
   — lisagrider

June 24, 2010
oh my. I am one to complain too. I would find the bra you like and just order on line. when that one gets too big (YAY FOR TOO BIG) have a trusted friend measure and re-order online. If you happen to be in that area and then go to the store. oh yeah .I use to work for lane bryant, they hate it when you say they are victoria secrets spill over..lol
   — That_816_Princess

June 24, 2010
They told me when I went in there that they had nothing for me... meaning my 'size'. In NY they only carry sizes for skeletons with boob jobs I think. I am 5'9, 150 pounds and pretty flat. I will never go there again. The people at macy's were useless too. Lane Bryant bras are too big now but they were always so helpful. I think I'm like a 40a. LOL No one makes them. I probably don't even need one anymore. at the moment, I'm putting falsies in my 40 C's when I go out. I guess I'll never be a 38 or a 36 anything. Not my bone structure I guess. Oh well. Keep trying. The last time I had to buy a bra, when I still had some boobs, I tried on 32 of them to find one that was sort of okay but it was blue with black polka dots. Got it anyway. I stuff it now. It's still way better than being 307 pounds. I sympathize with you. Good luck kiddo! Liz
   — Elizabeth Smith

June 24, 2010
At first I was horrified at the posting ... Such a horrible experience but.. Then the funny side of things kick in for me.. I can just see you standing there with bras in hand trying to keep your arms down to avoid the bra measuring withthe persistand sales person.. In hind site I am sure that you would have licked to knock her lights out. BUt with my weird scence of humour I would have just asked her if she measures the men to make sure that their breifs fit and if she is looking to hire staff to help her in that job. And if so you would like to apply.. LOL Keep lookng at the lighter side of life.
   — OntarioSilk

June 24, 2010
I would go back. When I got there I would get what I wanted and if ANYONE approched me I would make such as scene that I would get my new bra's for free. You are nicer than me becuase I have personal space issues and I probably would have knocked her out. You have worked very hard to get where you are and every one can just go to @#4@ if they don't want to have any form of customer service skills.
   — phyllismmay

June 26, 2010
I am totally with you on both of your postings. I am 7 monthes out and 65 lbs down and I still feel like a traitor for walking past Lane Bryant into Vanity. I hold clothes up and think "this will never fit" then try it on and it's too big. All the "skinny clothes" I bought laast month that I FINALLY could wear are too big. And I have lost ALOT of inches and fat in my boobs. If you go online Lane Bryant still sells bras down to a 36band. Which I am still wearing but I am freaking out because these are getting too big and I have been a die hard lover of Lane Bryant bras for years!! Where will I go now to get good bras? I am freakin out and I just don't know. Shopping is fun cause stuff fits, but frustrating cause I never know what will fit where to go or how long things will fit for ug!
   — lynnredboy

June 27, 2010
Try Lady Grace unless you are looking for sexy Lady Grace has a very good selection. They are mail order but they do free exchange. I think you can go to ladygrace.com
   — elizabethannemarch

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