When I was invited to Rigby & Peller for
a bra fitting I was unsure what to expect. I had heard that they are the Queen’s
corsetieres and I have a few friends whose mothers regularly go to
Rigby & Peller but what did the company have to offer me? I am
neither old nor ample bosomed. I had recently been feeling uncomfortable in my
bras and the line and support they gave me but after a disastrous fitting at a
well known high street store, I thought that Rigby & Peller
must at least be able to tell me what size I am if the Queen trusts them!
I arrived at the Conduit
Street store, with our photographer Laura, and was instantly surprised.
There was no imposing shop front nor were there the disapproving sales
assistants that are often a feature of designer stores. The shop has the
exterior of a London boutique and a warm inviting interior, not the stuffy, old
fashioned store I had imagined. After browsing the lingerie rails we approached
the sales assistant and were whisked through to the waiting area.
This is where my preconceptions were truly blown away. In
the waiting room was a mixture of old and young, smart and scruffy, a young
mother with her new baby and even a young boy playing on the floor with his new
toys (clearly a ploy to keep him quiet whilst his mother treats herself!) We
had a pre booked appointment but for those taking advantage of the walk in
service there is even a ticket machine on the wall and digital display exactly
like the cheese counter at your local supermarket!
After a short wait, which I spent browsing the press
clippings folders (off which there are many), I was called through to the
fitting area and I was sure this was where my feelings of relaxation were to be
shattered.
My fitter, Lucy, ushered me into the changing area and we began the fitting.
First she looked me up and down in my clothes and asked me what size I thought
I was. After removing my top and bra Lucy asked me to turn to the back. After
establishing my back size I then turn to the front and Lucy confidently
announces “You’re a 32DD/E” and then sweeps out of the cubicle to find a bra.
Whilst she’s out of the cubicle I privately think to myself “32DD” she’s
definitely got this wrong, I’ve always been a 34 so there’s no way I’m that
small and how can she possibly tell? She didn’t even use a tape measure?
Lucy arrives back with a couple
of bras hooked over her arms and explains that these are just to check the
sizing before we talk about styles. When they say that Rigby & Peller
fit the Queen this applies to all their clients as I don’t even have to put the
bra on myself! My scepticism about the sizing is instantly swept away as the
bra fits like a glove. Lucy asks what styles I’m looking for, the colours I
like and then whizzes off to get a selection of bras. I spend the next few
minutes admiring my new line and posture in the mirror.
Whilst we try the offerings I take the opportunity to quiz Lucy about being a
fitter. They are trained by watching the more experienced fitters in action and
that only a few girls go on to develop an eye for fitting. I’m intrigued by the
lack of tape measures though because I had always followed the mantra of
measuring your ribs and adding 2 inches before measuring round the bust and
working out the cup size from the difference. But as Lucy explains if the back
of a bra is made from elastic and a tape measure is not surely, if anything,
you should be taking inches off not adding them on? And that breasts come in so
many different shapes and sizes that it is almost impossible to judge a cup
size through inches.
After trying on a few styles including balcony, plunge and full cup bras I
settle for a Marie Jo bra in an unusual chocolate and turquoise combination. “I
thought you’d like that one” Lucy exclaims, “You get a feel for a clients
tastes from the clothes they are wearing and through chatting to them, this
lets us show you styles we know you’ll like without wasting time on something
you’d never wear.”
I decide to go for the full set
and these are sent to the sales assistant whilst I get myself ready. At the
till, my underwear is beautifully wrapped and presented to me in a boutique bag
tied with a gold ribbon and it’s like receiving a perfect present, despite
knowing the contents!
I walked into Rigby &
Peller with a sceptical mind and a 34D chest (FYI the high street
store measured me as a 36C two weeks prior to my visit) and walked out a 32DD
feeling totally relaxed and pampered. My confidence has soared with no tugging,
pulling or rearranging of uncomfortable bras or feeling conscious of the
dreaded drooping chest or four boob syndromes. I shall definitely be going back
for fittings, the service and the beautiful lingerie. Especially now I have the
perfect opportunity to invest in a whole new lingerie wardrobe!