Find your bra size

Measure directly under your bust (b) then measure the fullest part of your bust (a).

To find your size cross-reference these two measurements on the Bra size chart. This is a guide only, please visit your nearest store to be measured accurately by a qualified bra advisor.

Style / Shape Guide - Bras

At M&S we offer a large variety of bra styles and shapes and feel it important that our customer understand the difference between each of these styles. We have therefore put together a simple style guide to help you understand the benefits of each style and suggested appropriate outerwear garments to wear with each style.

Full cup : A full cup bra gives superb support and is ideal for the bigger cup sizes. The full cup and firm fit enables good bust control giving the wearer more security and comfort. The straps on this style of bra are slightly wider and are positioned more centrally than other bras to give better uplift and comfort. The most common example of this would be in total support ranges. This style of bra is ideal for everyday wear giving a natural look when worn with most high cut tops and shirts.

¾ cup : The ¾ cup gives a natural support to the full cup with less covering and a natural neck line. This style is ideal for wearing with everyday items such as vest tops and blouses.

Balcony : The balcony bra is designed to give an uplifting and supportive silhouette when more wide necked tops are worn. The bra holds the breast from underneath the bust and has wider strap positioning with less control at the top. This style of bra will give a great look when worn under a scooped and sweet heart neck lines.

Plunge : The plunge bra gives an appearance of increased cleavage due to the low cut silhouette. The wire is more cut away to expose maximum cleavage. The breast is mostly supported from the base and sides of the bra with less control at the front. This bra will give a great look under your low cup tops, and a sexier silhouette.

Push-up : Push-up bras give maximum cleavage by pushing the breasts together to increase the projection. Various booster pads can be used to create this look from foam, air bags or removable cookies. Some bras have these push up features integral to the moulded cup; the cup angle is positioned to maximise your cleavage. This bra will give a great look under your low cup tops, and a sexier silhouette.

Multi-Way : The multi-way bra is designed for maximum flexibility on how to wear your straps e.g. strapless, halterneck, crossover, one shoulder and conventional. This style gives you the freedom to wear whatever outfit you want and the confidence to wear any kind of top with perfect control and fit. When fitting this bra it is important that the correct band size is bought to ensure the bra stays in place and will feel slightly firm. It is always advisable to fit with and without the straps. Silicone edges are designed for a non slip feature to ensure the bra sits in place.

Minimiser : This bra is designed to reduce the bust size by 2.5cm. The bra has been engineered to move the breast tissue towards the chest wall and to the side. The minimiser bra has a special wire to allow this reduction without damage to the breast tissue. This bra is best worn under blouses or tighter tops.

Angel bras : This bra has been developed for 9-13 year olds where the breast tissue has just started to grow. This give support to the growing breast without any damage at this critical stage of development. All areas of this bra have been considered to be soft and comfortable to the customer who has never worn the bra before. Most importantly all angel bras are non-wired.

Teen bras : This bra is intended as a follow on to the angel bra. Therefore they should be worn once the girl has had breast tissue for a minimum of two years. This has a new technology ‘wire’ which has been developed for maximum comfort through the technology of extruded plastic. This ensures there is no breast damage at this early stage of bra wearing.

Seamless : Our new body miracle range offers a seamless silhouette with great comfort, shape and support. The bra is totally seamless for ultimate comfort; it moulds to your shape and gives a natural looking shape when worn under tight/close fitting tops with no visible bra lines. Due to the technology the bra warms to your shape and after washing recovers to its natural shape.

Sports : Sports bras are designed to reduce breast movement, therefore reducing strain on the ligament of the breast. There are no muscles on the breast, only glandular fat and tissue. Once the breast tissue has been damaged there is no recovery, therefore we would highly recommend a good supportive bra when partaking in any sports activity. There are several features in a sports bra that have been incorporated to give the ultimate support and comfort, for example comfort underbands, adjustable straps, support frame through the cup, performance fabrics.

Maternity and nursing : All these bras are non-wired to protect the delicate breast tissue as the breast develops and the milk ducts grow with changes. It is important these ducts are not kinked as this may cause problems later in the pregnancy. Maternity bras are engineered to support the breast with the increased weight in development. Nursing bras all have the drop cup feature to aid in feeding the baby

Post surgery : Our new post surgery range offers a variety of beautiful, feminine bras that are supportive and comfortable to wear. Every bra has integral pockets made from a soft comfortable cotton to avoid any discomfort on scar tissue. The pockets are designed to hold the prosthesis in the optimum position for comfort and security and the straps have been widened to give more support and comfort. Every detail has been considered including full wearer trials on women that have undertaken this surgery.