Underwear Solutions for the Bride.
A lingerie shopping trip guide to Jarrolds & John Lewis, Norwich for brides-to-be
After receiving many pleas for help in choosing the right underwear for wedding dresses, I decided to visit the two department stores in Norwich to see what they have to offer in their lingerie departments.
I strongly believe that we should use our high streets more and not simply rely on online shopping. In this particular case, nothing beats being fitted for a bra by a trained fitter or receiving advice on which underwear would be most suitable for your needs. The ladies I met on this trip where so personable and welcoming that I immediately felt at ease and in safe hands.
My very first job was in the lingerie department of a wonderful independent store called Joshua Taylor, located in Cambridge. Sadly, the store no longer exists, but the knowledge I gained there has never left me and been invaluable in my career of dressing people. I learned that getting the right fit in your underwear makes dressing a whole lot easier. Therefore, I would recommend getting measured at least twice a year for your everyday bras and caring for them carefully rather than chucking them in the washing machine with the pale wash.
Jarrolds was my first destination which has a really beautiful lingerie department filled with natural light and a calm ambience. I was met by Alex who has worked for Jarrolds lingerie for just over 12 years and her experience and genuine love for what she does shines through. Alex talked me through the different ranges and the sizes that are available in store. There is no appointment service so you will be seen on a first come first serve basis in one of the three changing rooms. All the fitters are trained to fit by sight so a tape measure is rarely used. Sizes start with a 30A and in some makes go to a 38/40 with cup sizes FF/G. My picks were as follows, Fantasie Reflect bra in Natural beige had a great shape and support for women who need a fuller cup with sizes up to a 40H if you are a smaller cup and need a more plunge style bra then the Chantelle day-to-night plunge spacer bra was a delicate choice made super comfy by the lovely soft lace use. Both of these would work perfectly under the Florence dress from Wendy Makin or Megan again from Wendy Makin. If a strapless bra is the solution then the Wacoal Halo bra is a gorgeously soft and comfortable strapless bra in sizes 32b to 36e working perfectly with dresses Caritina and Ceci from LunaNovias. If wearing a bra isn’t an option and smoothing undies is a top priority then the Miraclesuit rear uplifting boy short will give firm control and uplift with a barely there finish, sizes M, L & XL are also to be considered the Wacoal fit & lift Hi waist and thigh shaper both of these options would work perfectly under style 5035 from Paloma Blanca and 4884 from Mikaella bridal. As all of these are let's face it not the prettiest having a lacey bit of deliciousness to change into might be a welcome option in which case Wacoal do the dreamiest set called Embrace ivory and nude lace which is just beautiful.
Wacoal 'Embrace’ from Jarrolds
The next stop was John Lewis, where I was met by the wonderful Chloe and Tracy, Chloe is a personnel shopper and Tracy is based in the lingerie department. Both have extensive experience in dressing women and helping them find solutions. The department was well lit and the choice was good. What was very apparent was the knowledge and the desire to help. Both women made me feel relaxed and at ease, so important when it's such an intimate task.
I would advise you to book an appointment online. Once here you have numerous options and apart from the ranges that Jarrolds also has in common, there is the Panache collection, particularly the Sculptresse Bliss full cup bra a full cup bra that would give incredible support and takes into consideration the bigger back size and the fuller cup, 34E - 46H full-size range might not be in store but can easily be delivered to your door, another bra I liked was the Panache Faith folded strapless bra in Latte, sizes 28E-38G. Online is the amazing Wonderbra- Ultimate silhouette plunge bra more limited in size range but very neat in the back and with a plunge front so a great solution bra, sizes 32C-38D. Onto the undies, here ranges from Spanx, Ambra, Wacoal, Chantelle and John Lewis own brands are all represented in store with most going to a size 18 and some a 20-22.
Panache, Elan bra, Spanx thong, Cassie super push-up bra and John Lewis Tessa shorts.
Both stores offer private dressing rooms for a single or double mastectomy post-surgery fit. With ranges from Royce & Nicola Jane. With their caring nature, I highly recommend these stores for this important service. John Lewis also offers a pocketing service.