Busted! British Retailer Marks & Spencer Admits to Padding Bra Prices
Marks & Spencer's awesome ad apologizing for charging chesty gals more. Photo by Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
The company? British department store Marks & Spencer (famous for its amazing underwear selection). The mistake? Charging busty women (DD-cup and above) more for larger bras, up to an additional £2 ($3). The admission of guilt? M&S calling itself out for the "big boob surcharge" in an ad (right) that bluntly stated, "We boobed." As reported by CNN, the ad went on to say:
"It's true that our fantastic quality larger bras cost more money to make, and we felt it was right to reflect this in the prices we charged," the ad said. "Well, we were wrong." The store is also running a 25 percent off all bras promotion through May.
But what's even cooler is how the chain was persuaded to drop the pushed-up prices. Some pissed off shoppers were so outraged (and rightfully so) by the "cost-by-cup-size" policy that they did what any angry consumer would do -- created a Facebook group, aptly called "Busts 4 Justice."
And after campaigning for almost a year, arguing that bra prices didn't escalate by chest size at other stores and that Marks & Spencer itself didn't jack up the prices of larger-sized clothing, the well-endowed women got their way.
The group's administrators, Beckie Williams and Becky Mount (that's a BB, no?), celebrated on Friday with the following post on their Facebook page:
We would like to thank everyone who has supported us on this issue; especially the thousands of brilliant, busty women that have joined forces with us. We couldn't have done this without you.
Adding that, "Busts 4 Justice remain[s] committed to making things better for busty women on the high street, but for now we're happy just to be able to encourage all ladies to reward themselves and their boobs with some properly fitted, fairly priced lingerie."
Now, if we could just get "all the booby ladies, all the booby ladies" to the tune of Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" out of our heads! (Not to minimize the importance of this amazing accomplishment.)
Do you think Marks & Spencer had a right to charge more for larger bras? Does its new policy and ad make it all better? Leave a comment telling us your take.
A Busty Gals Guide to: Spring Dresses
When you're a busty gal, finding a dress that actually fits can seem impossible! To help you navigate the fashion jungle of triangle tops and spaghetti straps, we found the 10 best dresses for your body type. Remember, the foundation of every outfit is a great bra, so make sure to get fitted before buying.
Josh Griffler, Makeup by Jennifer Lombardo for M.A.C Cosmetics
Wrap Dress
The drop waist and deep V-neck make this classic style ideal for curvy girls. Old Navy's patterned mock wrap dress is especially well suited for large busted ladies -- there's no risk of it coming undone.
Old Navy, $30, for a similar style www.oldnavy.com
Josh Griffler
Strapless Dress
A built-in boned bodice is the key to finding a dress that actually stays up (it provides support and acts as backup for your strapless bra). To avoid showing too much cleavage or having the seams cut across your chest, make sure the top of the dress is wide enough to cover your entire bust line.
Shoshanna, $330, for a similar style www.queenbeegirls.com
Josh Griffler
Mod Dress
Let your legs be the star for once! To get that mod silhouette without losing your waistline, pick a fabric like silk, which is fluid enough to show your shape but won't cling to your body.
Nicole Miller, $365, for a similar style www.edressme.com, shoes, Delman, $195, www.shoes.com
Josh Griffler
Evening L.B.D.
The empire waist on this Black Halo dress flatters top-heavy figures. For the best possible support under this silky smooth fabric, make sure your bra is entirely seamless.
Black Halo, $345, for a similar style www.edressme.com
Josh Griffler
Bubble Dress
Volume is everywhere this season, but bubble, trapeze and even A-line dresses can make busty gals look heavier than they are. Tailor these trendy dresses to your shape by cinching a belt at your natural waist.
H&M, $50, www.hm.com, shoes, Delman, $329, www.zappos.com
Josh Griffler
Shirt Dress
Shirt dresses are so versatile -- add a high heel for the office or a simple sandal for casual day out. To ensure a smooth fit, look for a dress with large buttons (they're less likely to bulge or pull) and always wear a minimizing bra.
Tara Jarmon, $288, for a similar style www.edressme.com
Josh Griffler
Baby Doll Dress
To make this style work for your shape, pick a dress that shows just a bit of cleavage (try a scoop or box neck), and has volume at the bottom to balance out your frame. Another great trick: go a size smaller -- you'll be surprised how much trimmer you look.
plenty by Tracy Reese, $ $175.00, for a similar style revolveclothing.com shoes, Delman, $329, www.zappos.com
Josh Griffler
After-Beach Dress
Normally ruffles close to the chest area are a no-no, but this dress is an exception. The ruffles lay flat, creating a flattering frame for the neckline. The soft, forgiving fabric makes it perfect to stow in your overnight bag.
Johnny Martin, $54, johnnymartinjuniors.com
Josh Griffler
Vintage-Inspired Dress
Retro is everywhere these days, so if you're curvy on top, take it back to the 1940s! These shapely dresses are ideal for your frame and the playful, feminine styles are easy to dress up for a night out, or down for the office.
Stop Staring!, $141, stopstaringclothing.com
Josh Griffler
Kristen 5-10-2009 @ 3:57PM
Victoria's Secret does this too. I guess no one has called them out yet.
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JG 5-10-2009 @ 4:19PM
My daughter worked for Victoria's Secret. There are no larger sized bras at Victoria's Secret so at least Marks and Spencer sold larger cup sizes. A full-figure bra at Victoria's Secret isn't even available. I throw their catalog away and don't even walk in their stores anymore (even for the makeup or perfumes). In this economy, VS is missing the boat.
YumMusic24 5-11-2009 @ 12:40PM
And the reason Victoria's Secret doesn't carry above a 40DD is because if we were to start doing so, we would need a stock room the size of a small department store to keep them all due to the fact that we offer over 40 different styles of bras.
Victoria's secret charges exactly $3 more for D and DD cup sizes. The reason behind that is because it does take more fabric and costs more to produce. It sucks and most of us wish we could change it, but for now that's how it is.
fastmankw 5-10-2009 @ 4:14PM
looks like they made a BooBoo
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geege 5-10-2009 @ 4:24PM
I believe any company, no matter what the product, has a right to price that product to cover their cost plus their regular profit margin. If it cost more to produce a larger sized bra then the consumer should expect to pay more. I am just delighted that they make larger bras now. I remember years past when I could not find my size (40 F or G) except in very specialized stores. It is nice today to go to most any department store & be able to have a selection of my size. And I am not at all offended when it cost more. I am greatful to that company for being willing to design & sell a wide size selection & I do not expect them to take a loss on any product just because I am not the run of the mill consumer. Thanks from 'Better Than Average Boobs'!!!
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hollyOooo 5-10-2009 @ 4:36PM
Way to go Marks and Sparks
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Blissmaker 5-10-2009 @ 5:04PM
While I am not gifted enough to be charged extra for the larger sizes, I do have mixed feelings on this issue. I don't think that the larger bra sizes should cost more for the consumer, but I'm sure you have noticed that clothing items that are "extra tall" or "extra extra large" generally cost a few dollars more than the "regular" sizes. Hmmmm....Which way do we go? Which way do we go???
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eatahabanero 5-10-2009 @ 5:05PM
It takes more material to make the bigger bras what is the big deal?
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Kerry 5-10-2009 @ 5:07PM
Now wait just a gosh darned minute! At any store you go to and by larger pants and shirts, you're going to pay extra after a certain size, usually XL. It takes more material. It's only right. It shouldn't be spread out to those wearing the smaller sizes. And before any smart mouths say anything, I'm an XXL.
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David 5-10-2009 @ 5:14PM
Oh dear god! freakin' retards! i guess they would get pissed off if their landscaper charged them more to cut the 2 acre yard that they have, than he charged the person with the 10ft x 10ft townhomes yard next door huh??? What kinda logic do people use to justify some of the arguments they have? Obviously they don't use any. Now the company will just increase the prices of all of their bras once the 25% off sale is over, i guess they didn't think of that when they decided to create their cute little Facebook page. Ya know what, if u don't wanna pay more for the bra, then buy a different one, or get a breast reduction! That's my outlook on it.
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artie 5-10-2009 @ 6:11PM
nothing new.. women with big breasts always get wut they want!!
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chanika 5-10-2009 @ 6:16PM
fuck all you guys of let all those comments!! go to hell!!!
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Carla 5-10-2009 @ 6:30PM
larger sized clothing always costs more, that's nothing new. however, the amount of extra cloth that goes into a bigger bra is negligible compared to the difference in the amount of cloth between xs and xl in regular clothing, and all sizes from xs to xl all cost the same. if you're going to charge more for bigger sizes, why start the cost increase at xl, why not charge more for every size above xs? why not? because it's ridiculous. just like it is ridiculous to charge more for bigger bras.
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Hot Tea 5-10-2009 @ 6:36PM
Now, if we could just get them to lower the price for all women's clothes to match the price of mens. Example: I play softball. I need to wear cleats. I could have paid $65 for a pair of size 6.5 cleats. Instead, I was lucky enough to be able to wear the EXACT SAME SHOE from the boys department in the EXACT SAME SIZE (4.5 in a boys is equal to a 6.5 in womens). I only paid $28 for the boys pair of cleats. SAME EXACT SHOE!!!
Example two: I need athletic socks to wear with those cleats. I could have gone to the women's department and paid over $15 for a package of 6 ea. plain, white athletic socks...instead, I went to the men's department and paid $8 for a package of 8ea of the SAME EXACT SOCK! So what if the heal sticks out the back a little. They only last a season or two anyhow!
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Lois 5-10-2009 @ 6:43PM
Shame on marks & Spencers, being a "big Busted " woman We all deserve to be on equal footing to our little busted counterparts, so how about lacy "DDD" or even "E" for the woman who still feels like a woman without beingmanipulated in paying extra Lois
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Marissa 5-10-2009 @ 6:52PM
Its kinda ridiculous really...
Ok, I get how yes, it does take a marginal amount of extra fabric to create larger bras. They produce bras in mass quantity, so each larger bra would cost more like 25 cents extra. Yet they admitted to charging much more than that. 2-3 pounds in england is about 4-6 dollars US. Thats a fairly big price difference. The fabric difference is only the same as the difference between size small and xlarge... we dont pay LESS for size small. I agree that if you are going to offer the sizes that you should not increase the price. The additional costs are so minimal they can easily be covered by the profit margin. Its just an added trick to get consumers to part with more cash. If not, we would all pay per size.
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iamivy4989 5-10-2009 @ 7:36PM
Victorias secret does carry a select amount of larger sizes but they are more expensive as well and they aren't made in a quality to maintain suppport as a big busted female it is not unfair to want to pay the same for just a slight amount of clothing.AT least this company was smart enough to help their customers and in return thank them.
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naturemanrekveatnetnet 5-10-2009 @ 7:43PM
This could be a very 'busty' problem,lol. Realy what is the exact $ between a 'D', and a 'DD'. A few cents. Women get over charged socks and shoes to pants and dry cleaning. I rather sell a million @ a $1.00 vs. 500,00 @ $2.25. Because I can make a wider(not her cup, duf) selection of different styles and materials. There fore I'll sell more than that 1st. million. Try several million. As the big chested ladies will have more money to spend. And if my store is cost friendly to large cup size ladies then they will buy more. Ladies of the bigger cup size. God bless you for bringing pure joy to my eyes as you sturt your stuf pass me.
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Danielle 5-11-2009 @ 12:41AM
I think it is completely wrong to charge more for larger cup-sized bras. I wear a 34DD and there is nothing I can do about my chest size. I can sort of understand this for clothing (Wal-Mart practices this) because some people can help whether or not they become obese, but I would not choose to have such large breasts if I could! I shop at Victoria's Secret too and I have to pay at least $5 more for my 34DD bras there... ridiculous, but I have no choice for bras that aren't made for grandmothers. Bravissimo is a European store that offers a great variety of large bras even for women with small frames (like size 30!) and they ship worldwide. I wish stores like this would come to the states.
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Heather 5-10-2009 @ 8:24PM
It amazes me that these women felt they were "entitled" to pay less money for a product that clearly cost more to make....the extra fabric and the materialsit takes to make the bras costs the manufacturer more so why would women who have huge boobs feel that the manufacturer should eat the cost just because they are whining about having to pay a couple extra dollars to put their big floppy melons into a bra. If they don't like it then they should get a breast reduction! Anywhere you go it always costs more to by bigger sizes, because they cost more to make. The extent to which people will go because they feel entitled is beyond me......
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