M&S Bras
M&S Bras I have spoken today to M&S re bras/swimwear, they are about to launch a new range of bras and swimwear they should be in the bigger stores by the end of the month and also on line. Lets hope they are better than the last launch and hopefully have put right the imperfections. There are going to be bikini’s and tankini’s.
Clare (S)
Do you know if they will do long body length swimsuits cos last year they only did standard length mastectomy swimsuits which were not long enough for me and the sides too lowcut for my mastectomy.
Also, will all the bras still be underwired - again useless for me?
Any bigger sizes?
Will the staff be better trained than they were last year? The woman I saw really had no understanding of the issues with a prosthesis.
Sorry - to sound so negative but it was a totally fruitless exercise for me going there and I ended up being persuaded to buy a bra which was totally the wrong size for me. The fitter told me I was 42C but ended up with a 38C abra nd infact needed a 40B!!!
Again, I’m really sorry to be so negative as I know so many of you put a lot of effort into this but it really was so disappointing.
I hope they have listened and learned
Kate
Sorry Kate - I only know that they are launching new range as I telephoned them to moan about the lack of bras on the web site, the customer service dept told me that they are making changes to the pocket openings as they were to small on previous collection. It was then she went onto tell me that they are also doing swimwear, sorry I cant be of any more help!! I have searched the web for a decent bikini/costume (plenty if you like them hideous and black) Amoena tell me they are putting new ones on the web in next month or so. I am off to Florida in few weeks with a couple of girlfriends so I will have to make do with pre breast cancer tankinis which I am going to stuff a soft prothesis down the front - not sure what will happen when I go in the pool!!!
Its such a pain not being able to just walk into a shop and buy decent bras like we use to, I walk pass the pretty bras and feel quite envious of the ladies buying them.
Lets hope when the new range comes in we will both get what we want.
Take Care
Clare (S)
Bras & Swimwear I have just come back from visiting the Nicola Jane shop at Clerkenwell, London, where I bought some lovely bras and swimsuits. Although I have had a reconstruction (LD flap) I find that the sides of most bras and swimsuits are cut too low under the arm and cut into the muscle running under the armpit. The bras were more expensive than I would normally pay at M&S but the swimsuits were the same price (they did have some more expensive ones but fortunately the ones I liked were cheaper!) They do mail order and have a web site - Nicolajane.com and do free returns. Could be worth a look.
Have a great holiday Clare.
Lizzie
Bras updates Hi,
Just a quick note to update on M&S bras, as you probably remember some time ago, I was assisting M&S with their DD-G post surgery bras, and their swimwear, they are launching their new range of bras in February end of into March, I have just sent them a note as I was contacted by loads of women asking about the new range. As the store they went into couldnt order anything, it wouldnt allow them to.
Anyway, the new swimwear should be instore same time, but there are four ranges I think, as we tried them on in their head office in September, and they were more modern, but still needed some changes to the ones we tried on, I am hopefully getting some info on them soon. They are making them more feminine with diamontees etc, and stronger adjustable straps instead of the thin flimsy ones that they had last year.
Unfortunately, I havent tested the DD-G sizes, yet, as they havent sent them out, however if they took all our comments on board from last year, they should be suitable, although some of the ones were non wired, and some underwired,
As I wear two prosthesis, it has been difficult to find bras to fit me, 32DD/E, especially when I stick them on, as the cups dont come up high enough to cover the prosthesis, and sometimes the shapes of the pockets are not the adequate shape for these.
Anyway I will keep you posted, as I havent been on here for a while.
take care
x
M & S Prosthesis Bras. I just hope the new range of M & S Prosthesis Bras are better than their first attempt!!! I was never so disappointed. I thought, at last a Department store bra at a realistic price which would do the job. Was I ever wrong! The pockets openings were so small I wouldn’t even attempt to put my Size 11 into it incase it exploded! :o))))) The String straps were useless, especially with my lymphoedema. They were mostly cut too deeply at the cleavage. In fact, short and sweet, as I emailed them and said…“They were nothing but " pretty bras with pockets sewn in”. There was really no excuse in my opinion for this, as they only had to look at samples of the present ranges out there, i.e. Amoena, etc. to see what was required. The bras were probably okay if you happened to have a 32A cup, but 38DD or 40 and you were well out of luck. Heres hoping…
Joyce x
no local stocks I have had no luck in trying to get a fitting of an M&S post- mastectomy bra, as my local store do not stock them. They ordered some in, for other ladies, and kept the ones they did not sell, but Head Office made them send them all back. They said that not even the major stores in Manchester or Liverpool will be stocking them.
I have posted about this on the other website, and had multiple responses from all over the country from other ladies who also think M&S are providing a rubbish service. I was even advised by an M&S fitter to order from their website! This is ridiculous, we need local fitters with stocks to choose from.
My local BC nurse has also advised me, as another lady has posted here, that the pockets are far too small, and she had been afraid of splitting them when trying to fit a prosthesis into the pocket using the small opening provided.
Photolady
M & S prosthesis bras Hi Photolady
I remember this problem with the first line of these bras. They were only available in certain stores, in certain parts of the country. Probably a trial and error “thingy”. The whole range was available at the Metro Centre Store in Gateshead Tyne & Wear. However they were not available at all in the Newcastle upon Tyne City Centre Store just a couple of miles down the road! You didn’t miss anything believe me! I really hope they get their act together, as I find it totally unacceptable that just because you have a prosthesis instead of a breast, suddenly you have to pay £25 to £30 for a “special” bra. I once bought a prosthesis bra from ASDA for £7.99!!! YES I did say £7.99… It was a front fastener, with two pockets, bit low at the front, but nice wide straps and very supportive. I sang it’s praises to my Breast Support Group and Breast Care Nurse, who told “the world” (well, lots of people :o))) Then guess what??? It was withdrawn…and try as I might I never found out why, even after writing and emailing Asda. Seems they must have thought they were stepping on toes selling a prosthetic bra for £7.99. Sad eh??? Shame on you is what I told them… bet they didn’t lose much sleep :o))))) I have it all planned…In my next life I am coming back as a size 0 model with boobs like fried eggs…just incase!!! :o))) Such is life…however, I DO LOVE IT!!!
Joyce xxxxx
M&S bras I’ve only looked at M&S bras on their website but I was n’t very impressed by them. The cups don’t look adequate to hold my prosthesis, as they seem to be quite low cut, and the straps seem very thin. They certainly don’t appear to meet the criteria that my BC nurse has advised me to look for in a bra. It does seem that M&S have simply put pockets into one of their standard bras, not considered the actual needs of breast cancer patients.
Geraldine
I have telephoned M&S to complain about the way they marketed their post surgery swimwear range, a very pretty model with two pert liltte boobies poking out, do they not realise that we dont look like this after surgery, I think they must have taken some notice, as they have now taken the pictures of the web site and replaced it with just a picture of the takini top. I think I must be getting bitter and twisted with this illness. Lets hope when they re-launch the bras they are better than last years.
Clare (S)
M & S Bras You are definitely NOT becoming bitter and twisted girl… trust me!!! :o))) It’s just you are much more aware of what is needed now because of your Breast Cancer Adventure!!! It’s them that’s in the wrong. There is absolutely NO excuse for a company as big as Marks and Spencers not to have delved more deeply into this new “project” of theirs. Problem is that the “Pretty Bra” designers can’t get their heads around the problems caused by breast surgery, probably because it’s easier not to think about it. What they need is a good cross section of Breast Cancer patients to work with. You get the picture?.. some sweet little pert boobs, some middle size and ME!! with my 38DD, plus a huge dip in my chest wall, plus a huge hollow where my lymph glands used to be… plus my lymphoedema… Good grief…I am almost becoming bitter and twisted hahahahahahahahahaha… not a chance…just realistic. You say whatever you want to say…it’s your reward for coming through the other end!!! :o))) Come on M & S …what a wonderful missed opportunity. Wish I had your resources I would be rich by now with all these Breast Cancer Patients chomping at the bit for a decent bra…
Enough…off to make dinner …
Joyce xx
m& s bras hi i recently ordered two bras and when i went into try them on found one was actually underwired! now i was told at the hospital underwiring is a no no! anyway the one i tried on just looked awful and although im a size 38 d it was tight around the underarm and the cup was miles too big! im afriad i just stood and blubbered i was so upset and had been looking forward to actually getting a pretty bra for a change as ive been wearing a sports bra from matalan for £4. i do think that other stores should sell mastectomy bras as the norm as lets face it unfourtunately there are more and more of us out there. so tesco etc listen up !! love lynn xx
I can’t comment on all of these issues, but when I went into my local M&S to buy a non-wired bra ready for after my wide-area lumpectomy and in case I needed them through any further treatment I found the member of staff who looked after me very helpful.
No matter what I have had to do since my diagnosis I have always explained the situation, from the first cutting of my hair to buying a new car!
In M&S we had to go through a dozen bras as I am very small (32C) but most of the cups have too much fabric in them. We tried all sorts of styles, when she went and got a t-shirt bra that was a 32B, I tried it on and as usual the cups weren’t wide enough. She had a pull around, and told me to go and order the 32C and that it would fit.
When I picked it up, it fit perfectly, so I ordered another one. I think it really is down to the member of staff, but they do need all of their staff at the same level, or make sure there is a specialist there all the time in each store in case they are needed.
Was wearing my new bra 24 hrs after my lumpectomy & sentinal node biopsy as I walked back to my parents, and it is really comfortable.
Trudy
Frustrated HI all,
Thought I would comment on this ongoing saga of getting lingerie for post surgery women.
As you have probably being reading in previous threads, I was helping with M&S in order to get the DD-G ranges up to standards. Unfortunately I have been greatly let down by them, in the fact that they havent been fully listening to our NEEDS instead of what looks good on their sales targets etc…
I was greatly disappointed with the outcome of this product delivering, as at xmas the ranges that were new (pocketed bras), were now all on the sale at xmas and new year, and the shops throughout the UK that I have spoken to say that they have none in stock and dont know when they will get delivery of them in, as it was February, now March, now April,! And the website comes up either out of stock or unavailable…
Not much to show for the new range in post surgery lingerie that was publicised widespread.
I have written to the Chairman and Chief Executive at their Head Office and Stuart Rose, expressing my disappointment and being let down in my vast amount of time and energy that I gave them last year in order to help them get the DD-G ranges suitable for women wearing prosthesis.
I can only apologise for letting you women down and not being able to drive it further, but I am not giving up on this, and I will be persuing them to deliver the product that they had said that they would do last year…
This isnt a seasonal item nor is it a luxury, it is MUCH NEEDED for day to day wear so should be widely available at all times…as we need bras for the rest of our lives, not just for the odd occassion…
sorry for this, but hope my views are put across firm enough for them to take notice and be passionate about this items.
thanks
carol x
M & S Bras Hi Carol you little puppydog!! :o)))))
Don’t you dare apologise for Marks and Spencers shortcomings!!! There is no reason whatsoever why they couldn’t get those bras right first time!!! It’s not as if they were going about inventing the wheel is it? There a some people out there making really good Prosthetic Bras, i.e. Amoena (just plugging them because they are my favourite :o))) Love their bras, bikinis etc. and last time I returned one of their new tops because it was too low (we all know about TOO LOW don’t we???) I got a lovely phone call from them asking for full details about the garment, and a suggestion of another which they thought was a little higher, and a promise they would talk to their manufacturer. After that good plug I expect 6 free bras!!! Just joking!!!
Back to M & S. All they had to do was get a selection of Prosthetic bras from various manufacturers and give them the once over… produce their own line…and put them in the store. How easy is that? No…their designers obviously couldn’t bear the thought of their “pretty” bras to be fitted with broad straps, higher cups (only one of my cups runneth over these days sadly!!!) and how it must have really damaged the design to “stick” a pocket on the back! So much so, that they didn’t even bother to change the size of the openings on the pockets!! i.e. Picture me trying to “stuff” my size 11 Prosthesis into a two inch or so opening, and waiting with baited breath for it to explode, all £110 worth of it!!! I gave up at that point on some of the bras. Hope they eventually get the message Carol, however if they do, I fear it will only be because they have a ton of bras on their hands that are useless…unless of course they remove the pockets and put them back into the “pretty, sexy” department :o)))
Joyce x
M & S bras Hi Trudy
It’s true that you can always find a bra to fit off the peg from almost any store. However when you have had a full mastectomy and all your lymph glands removed (resulting in a huge hollow) coupled with the fact that you are a 38DD, you tend to need a little more security in your bra, especially if you move around as much as me!! It’s not much to ask that they produce a suitable bra. They seem to have no problems producing Nursing Bras for mothers. Maybe it just hasn’t dawned on them yet how much money they can make out of Breast Cancer Patients. After all all those mastectomys and nowhere to put your “new best friend” :o)))
Joyce x
M & S bras Lynn … if you want a “pretty bra”… take a look on line at Amoena. They have some beautiful bras. Granted they don’t cost £4, but if it makes you feel good…you are worth every penny…Go have a look. I have about 8 of their bras…love them
Joyce x
Joyce01 Hi many thanks for the support, hopefully they will work a bit harder at getting what we need instead of what they think we need.
I did however take a load of bras that I had to adapt to fit my two prosthesis in them, to fit over them, to say how it needs to fit. I also had ladies helping me from all over UK, with regards to different requirements, including the lymphodema (dog ear), and partial mastectomy, hollow areas, uneven reconstruction etc. so they had loads of information with regards to what they need to give us.
I have tried Amoena as I get my (size 7) prosthesis from their and yes it is expensive at £110.00 each for both mine, and the skin supports are not cheap either, packs of 5, and I need two at a time, and at £12.50 per pack and they only last a few days it does work out really expensive on a monthly basis, but it gives me good confidence. Unfortunately Amoena dont do 32DD/E bras and their new catalogue that came out does one but it isnt full enough cup to cover the stick ons. I have asked them if they will be doing them but they say they will talk to their designers etc, and I never hear from them again.
However, I do buy their swimwear, but some are again not pig enough pockers to get my prosthesis into them. and if I stick them on then they show over the top and side of the garment. it is usually trial and error.
I also get some stuff from nicola jayne, but again their swimwear is really expensive. They are not interested on taking my comments on their bra sizes etc. so I havent talked to them this year.
I am sure that we will one day get what we want and it will be the best xmas present ever!! even if santa brings it himself…mmm
thanks for this though and I am not giving up so watch this space.
carol xx
I bought 3 bras at M & S last Saturday - two are going back. One is underewired and is cutting into my ribs (although I used to wear only underwired before my operation) The other you cannot get your prosthesis in no matter how you try, the opening is too small. I usually go through Nicola Jane, their bras have an opening right down the side with ample room to fit the prothesis in. I will tell them at M & S when I go back - it’s a wonder every customer that buys them doesn’t take them back. You would think they would realise and take them off the shelves.
Again, they were reasonably priced so am a little disappointed that they are no good.
Chris