First Person Sunday, November 29, 2009 Interview: Gillian Nelis I get the same jokes all the time when I tell people what I do for a living, particularly from men. They always ask me if I can get them a job. But it’s a good conversation starter if you’re meeting new people.
I’ve been working in lingerie for 17 years now. I started out in Harvey Nichols, then moved to Selfridges before joining Elle McPherson Intimates.
If you start off working in lingerie you tend to stay in it, because it’s so customer-focused.
It’s a very rewarding job. A lot of ladies walk away after you’ve fitted them feeling really happy because you’ve changed how their clothes fit. You’ve made them look like they’ve dropped a dress size, simply by giving them the right bra.
I’ve met women in their sixties who have never been fitted for a bra, and who’ve been buying the same size all their lives. But there are so many things that can affect what size you should be wearing - putting on weight, losing weight, having HRT, going on the pill, exercising and pregnancy are just some of them.
A lot of women are still a bit uncomfortable about the whole fitting room situation, which is understandable when you consider it involves going into a small space with a stranger and taking some of your clothes off. But a fitter is focused on one thing and one thing only - getting your fit right. They don’t notice anything else.
There’s much greater demand now for bigger sizes.
Our range already went up to an E cup, but we had so many people looking for larger sizes that we now go up to a G. There’s no reason why bigger bras have to be bland and boring - they can be just as colourful and fashionable as the smaller ones.
Christmas is still one of the busiest times of the year for us. It’s not just men buying for their wives or girlfriends; lots of women are now buying something special for themselves. Men are a little bit more confident about buying lingerie now than they were in the past. I think the internet has probably helped with that.
The best way to find out what size your wife or girlfriend is to go rummaging through their drawers and find their favourite bra, one that you know they wear all the time. But don’t go for the one that’s tucked away at the back and looks like it hasn’t been worn for years.
We still see plenty of panic buyers on Christmas Eve. They’ve usually had quite a lot to drink, and they’ve only just remembered that they need to buy something. It happens year after year.
Another common customer at this time of the year is the businessman who’s been to a work lunch and stayed out much longer than he should have. At the last minute, he decides to buy a gift to take home to say sorry. You often see them wandering around the shops late in the evening.
Some guys still buy things that are a bit tarty looking – something red and made from nylon – but it’s not a strategy I’d recommend.
There are plenty of brands out there aimed at that particular end of the market, but if you want something that’s going to be well received on Christmas morning, you’re probably better off steering clear of them.
The Elle McPherson Intimates line is available exclusively at Brown Thomas stores nationwide
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