Rigby and Peller

After years of wearing ill fitting bras which prodded and poked, I took the plunge and visited the Harrogate store. After a quick lifestyle discussion and being out at ease we headed for the changing rooms. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful. They brought out different styles, colours and sizes to try. The underwear was tried on with clothes to see the look achieved.

Some 1.5 hours later I emerged from the store with the ‘girls’ back where they were some 20 years ago :)

Highly recommended

Visited yesterday and although my experience was fairly positive, was disappointed that the bra I would have liked was out of stock. Sales assistant very patient and helpful. I was rather embarrassed to see as I left the fitting room, curtains only, a man sitting outside very close by waiting for his partner I presume. He must have overheard my confidential chat to the assistant about my bra and knicker sizes. Personally I never take my husband with me when buying underwear, leave them having a coffee or something. The problem is the Bluewater store is very compact and not enough space for those who feel the need to wait .

I went into the store in Harrogate. The lady who did the fitting was very pleasant and helpful and I went away with 2 bras, very happy though a couple of hundred pounds poorer. I was very happy with the bras until (only about 2 months later) I noticed the fastener on one of them was ripped at the seams. I rang the shop to ask what I could do (I live a couple of hours drive away)and spoke to an assistant who suggested I had probably put my finger through the material! After some persuasion, she agreed that I should send it back and they would have a look at it. I had to ring up to check they had received it as I heard nothing. I spoke to the manager this time who suggested I had been putting the bra on incorrectly and that was why it had ripped! A replacement was sent out to me. This bra was faulty (the decoration was missing). Again, this was blamed on me. At this point I asked for, and was given, a full refund. At no time did anyone apologise for the inconvenience I had experienced. I would never use Rigby and Peller again and would advise anyone thinking about doing so to save your money!

A disappointing visit today. My third visit to Guildford. Always loved the service and fittings, always told friends to go but today I was disappointed. Sales girl was rushed, didn't give the usual advice. First bra was much to big and all she said was how does it feel. Previously the girls would have said nope that doesn't fit. I had no advice felt rushed and felt very disappointed after travelling and hour and half to get there. I expected better, as I usually had in the past.

If you want a one on one bra fitting then Guildford store is the way forward. She was honest and found the perfect bras for me to cover my different clothes styles. Nothing was to much trouble and she gave advice on best ways to put bra on and hand wash. The store is small but not all bras were on display. Really helpful member of staff. I bought a lovely full cup and balcony bra. I just loved the honest approach that she gave and was not pressured into buying. 10/10 and will be back to buy more

Rather than writing it all out again, here is the email I just wrote...

I would like to register a concern and complaint about the service I received in your Cambridge grand arcade shop on Saturday 21st November at around 5.30pm.

Being a large busted woman who has varied between an 34E up to a 34L when pregnant and now down to a 30H i have bought dozens of bras and been fitted dozens of time in other stores. This was my first experience of Rigby and Peller and I was expecting excellent service from such a famous store. I was therefore extremely concerned when I received poor advice during a fitting.

The styles of bra I said I liked only went up to an F, and I pointed out that, as an H, I was unlikely to find a bra, but the assistant suggested I have a fitting anyway just in case they sized differently. I was dubious but having previously shopped in Bravissimo I was open to the idea of bra sizes varying and fit being different. However when she returned with a fitting bra and put it on me - a 32G I think - the material front and centre was not lying against my skin. 'That's a lovely fit!' I was told. I pointed out the central section issue - clear evidence that the size was wrong and was told 'oh that often doesn't sit flat against the skin.'

Um.... Yes it does.

Anyway, she handed me another -

The one I'd said I liked. An F cup. It was nowhere near big enough and cut into my breasts at the front - way too small in the cup. At this point she suggested going up a back size. This was ABSOLUTELY the wrong advice. I am a 30 back. Going up to a 34 would mean the weight (all 2kg) would hang entirely from my shoulders and the strap would ride up my back. Back ache and sore shoulder would result. I laughed at the suggestion because it was so ridiculous.

She was clearly desperate to get me into an F because she knew that style only went up to that size.

Going to such a high end establishment, selling such expensive bits of lace and wire, I expected excellent service. Instead I experienced - basically - lies about the fit of the bras, and a dreadful lack of knowledge about how to fit larger busted ladies.

I will not be shopping in your stores again. I guess you don't get what you pay for after all. I will return to Bravissimo where the service is always excellent and the bras a quarter of the price.

Sent from my iPhone

I bought 2 bras from the store at Conduit Street about a year,ago on a trip with a friend who wears their bras all the time. As it was my first experience of the store I wanted to treat myself to something pretty rather than functional. The fitting and staff were lovely but no lovelier than my long term experiences at John Lewis' service. The bras looked wonderful and felt very comfortable. I am sensitive to some fabrics but these didn't scratch or cause irritation. I walked out feeling wonderful and pleased with my £200 purchase, but that soon changed. The bras gave me a lovely shape so I love the style BUT the straps slip constantly so I have to adjust them regularly throughout the day. This makes me feel very uncomfortable, unsupported and embarrassed. In addition to the slippage, the stitching under the arm on one of the bras became unravelled after only a few wears. Unfortunately, I haven't been back to the store to follow these issues up, which is negligent on my behalf and means that I have no experience of their customer service. However, I will not be shopping with Rigby and Peller again and I continue to shop at John Lewis for my bras and receive great service, measuring and product reliability.

Made a special journey to their Condut Street shop. wasn't measured, but informed I needed a 40 (I am infact a 42 & have been for the last year!) but as they are the "professionals" I assumed she knew what she was doing. I brought two bars at £190.00. Wore the first one for two hours last night & had to change it as it was ill fitting & very painful around my rib cage. It also rode up & stuck in me. I will be taking these back & expecting a full refund. Really very disappointing for the money charged you would excpected a well fitting & comfortable bra, but that is not what I got.

My first experience at Rigby, to be honest at the age of 40 I have not been measured, the staff were all very comforting. Even the delightful person, who informed me that I was wearing the wrong size, but gave me the best tips. I would recommend the Guildford store The quality of the bra is worth every penny. I feel like a new women

Mixed feelings....Having bought a bra from the Bluewater branch 3 years ago and it's still like new, I was disappointed when my latest purchase became unwearable after a few months. (The lining had stretched and was badly rumpled). Same style, size and price, just two and a half years apart, perhaps they've cut back on their quality since last time? Online customer services were very helpful until they realised that the bra was over six months old, they told me a bra life was only designed to last for about this length of time. Paying almost £80 I would have expected more than six months wear, Pity they didn't tell me this at point of purchase. So,ladies beware... and for me it's Back to good old M&S.