Michelle-Ann Bras and Swimwear

"Feeling very low after that shop experience. Went in to match shape wear and a bra I already had at home with a photo of the size I wear all the time and the lady said ‘Are you sure that’s your size? You need bigger. You’re buying clothes too small for you’ ! She even made a disgusted look when I picked out the bra I wanted. She came into the change room and said ‘you’re quite wide’ Wouldn’t even matter if I was bigger as all shapes are amazing but just the way she was saying it made me want to cry. I left the shop in tears. Comments like that are so damaging for people who struggle with their body image. Hope no one else has this experience :("

"They have a huge range so there could (or should) be something for every fit. I think I tried on every bra in the store and the last one fitted nicely."

"Last time I shopped there, a few months ago, I walked out feeling violated. I don't use the word lightly. It's no surprise to see others commenting in a similar vein. This story is long, but bear with me - it warrants telling. A woman called Lisa, from memory of her name-tag, did the following: - told me I wouldn't find the type of swimming leggings I wanted, and that I should spend $70+ on a pair I disliked and just cut the laces off (as soon as she left me alone for a moment, I found exactly what I wanted, so she clearly didn't know her own stock) - asked me what size I was, and even though I told her, said with disdain and aggressive gesturing, "come ON, I can't see a thing under there [I was wearing a long coat], open that thing up and give us a LOOK at you!" - hovered uncomfortably close to me while I subsequently browsed bras, and insisted I try on pieces to her liking, despite my telling her they didn't appeal to me, and that I'm more than familiar with what fits and suits my body - snorted derisively when I mentioned my usual size, insisting that there was no such thing as a double-D cup - or any double-cup - fitting (funny, I have several double-cup sized bras, as do many friends), and gathering a clutch of bras and shoving them under my nose, said "see, SEE, none of these are double-cups!" - led me to sense, by her incessant hovering and gobsmacking rudeness, that I was being profiled as a potential shoplifter - most importantly, and most repugnantly, insisted that the best way for me to get a good fit was for her to accompany me into the change room. I said firmly that I preferred privacy for trying on intimate garments, and that I didn't want or need help. Did that stop her? HELL NO! She kept hovering right beside me, and insisting that she should "help" me try things on. I said yet again, more firmly, no, that's not acceptable, I want privacy. Did THAT stop her? HELL NO! She kept approaching the change room and asking how I was going and whether I wanted her to come and judge the fit. Had I not been desperate for a new bra, I'd have walked out. Truly wish I had. By the time I reached the register I felt regarded as a prospective felon. I was livid on that count alone, but far more because my reluctance to let this woman see me half naked meant that I was also regarded by her (I'm damn sure I saw at least one eye-roll) and possibly by other staff as aberrant in some way. The minute I'd left the store I burst into tears, such was the godawful impact of the encounter. This vile woman was appallingly rude to me in general; further, she tried repeatedly and aggressively to violate my space and privacy by viewing me without clothes on, and worse, suggesting emphatically that she touch my body by fitting a bra "for" me, despite my clear and repeated refusals... and I'M the bad/weird person??!! What does it take for a retailer who chooses to specialise in intimate garments to ensure their staff treat customers with the UTMOST respect and sensitivity? As I wrote to the store - twice, with no response whatsoever, let alone an apology (which just underscores my point, really) - by dint of current statistics, a significant percentage of its customers will have experienced sexual violence and/or domestic violence, and will likely be hypersensitive about exposing their half-naked bodies to the gaze of complete strangers. But whatever customers' experiences, simply on grounds of human decency, IT'S INEXCUSABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE TO HARANGUE ANYONE IN SUCH A MANNER. However, the lack of any response to my two complaints tells me loud and clear that whoever read those complaints is just fine with what I experienced. If you read this and it resembles your experience, please speak up."

"Came here to buy bathers. Range was smaller than last time I was here. Took a couple of times approaching the counter, asking questions before I got served. Most of the staff are a bit stuffy and rude. I did find a pair of bathers though. I don't think I'd come back or recommend."

"Best place to buy swimmers. The lovely shop staff actually want to help and advised me on the best style for my body shape. They also have a fantastic range of womens underwear. Highly recommend. When I was there a lady had travelled for over an hour to shop at Michelle-Ann."