Entry tags:

bra retailers, bravissimo

Let's go shopping! Spotlight: Bravissimo
Ok! Here we go! For the next few weeks I will be spotlighting different online stores and resellers of large-cup bras. I'm going to start with the best all-around (and unfortunately, also the most expensive-- in some cases, you really do get what you pay for) and work my way around to sellers that serve different niches.

So, without further ado: Bravissimo!

Images from bravissimo.com

Bravissimo is a retailer in the UK, that sells online to most countries via mail order. Started in the 1990s by a woman displeased with the lack of larger-cup bras in pretty styes, Bravissimo serves an important function by not just selling these bras but also lobbying manufacturers to make larger-cup bras in pretty and comfortable styles. Because Bravissimo can use its clout as a buyer to change what manufacturers offer in this size range, it's an important player and even if you never buy from them, you have been helped by their tenacious pursuit of their mission to bring better large-cup bras to market.



Bravissimo, as can be expected, sells mostly British bras. British lingerie is known the world over for its quality and craftsmanship, and even though they are more expensive, they are undoubtedly worth it if you have the money. Bravissimo's prices are in British pounds (although I believe they may have recently added an option to show a conversion to American dollars). In general, given the poor state of our economy, there are roughly 2 dollars to every pound nowadays, so double the prices on Bravissimo to get an estimate of the price in dollars.

Although Bravissimo's shipping cost to the US is relatively high if you only buy one bra (I believe it starts at 7.50 GBP), this also covers the shipping for any other items you ask them to ship back to you in exchange. That is, if one of the bras you've ordered doesn't fit, you have to pay to ship it back to them, but they will ship a replacement out in a different size to you without any additional shipping charges, and will continue to do so until you find your size. While shipping back and forth can get pricy, Bravissimo's free "exchange shipping" helps a lot, and this, along with their very large stock of many bra brands and styles, makes them a good place to turn to if you need to try to "fit yourself by mail." If you are ever in the UK for a visit, they have stores in most of the major cities, and you can go in for a very relaxed fitting. They don't use a tape measure, they just guide you along while bringing you bras in different sizes and styles til you find one that works. I've personally been there many times and the staff are VERY nice in general.



They also have a clearance section where you can occasionally snag a deal, especially if you wear an unusual size, but those items go FAST!

Bravissimo sells bras in back size 28 to 40, cups D through L (though not all styles go up to L). In addition to bras, they also sell some terrific bra-sized swimwear (both bikinis and one-pieces), and even have a line of semi-tailored clothing made to accommodate women with large busts and relatively smaller waists. They also sell those spaghetti-strap tops with integrated bras and recently, they added a line of nightwear with built-in support.

Brands available include: Freya, Panache (and their higher-end sub-label Masquerade), Miss Mandelay, Ultimo, Fantasie, Bacirbacuti, Ballet, Kalyani, Young Attitude, Lepel, Eda, and more. I'm partial to Panache, which seems to give a rounder, more lifted look in general (not pointy) but have also purchased and been quite pleased with Kalyani, Ultimo, and Freya as well. Use the zoom feature (where offered) to check out the seam pattern on the cups and refer back to the 2nd post and your helpful friends in the Frankenbra Posse for guidance on how the bra you are considering buying will likely fit.

I have ordered from Bravissimo (as well as visited in person) many times in the past, and have always had a positive experience.

Happy shopping! And tell me what you think of Bravissimo (or if there's anything you'd like to know that I may have left out) in the comments. You can also sign up to get Bravissimo's glossy quarterly catalog sent to you free if you prefer to browse that way.

Browse Bravissimo.com