Hope's Chest Bras And Swim

Reviews about Hope's Chest Bras And Swim

• 4 / 5

  By Sarah Christensen
  After reading this review, Hope contacted me and we reached a mutually satisfactory arrangement - I was actually able to return the purchases I'd made, and no one even asked me to change my review (this is totally voluntary). It's been quite the roller coaster getting the refunds processed, due to computer issues, but Hope has been great in keeping in contact with me and letting me know when to come in to get it taken care of. Even though my original experiences weren't the best, this post- care has been fabulous and I feel Hope and Hope's Chest definitely deserve the extra 2 stars.
  
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  I had such high hopes for Hope's Chest! A local specialty bra store - I don't have to travel to San Diego or LA areas to find what I need?! SWEET!! Unfortunately...
  
  The overall experience has just not been great, or even very good. For starters, they charge $20 for a fitting (waived if you purchase, but seriously?). Then, the fitter I was paired with was newly certified so it took quite a long time because she had to ask other employees for help/advice frequently. OK, well, I understand that it's part of the learning process, and I wasn't in a hurry so that was fine. I started trying on bras, but their stock was very low on that day (apparently they'd just placed a large order for inventory but it hadn't arrived yet).
  
  I was looking for a daily wear bra and a sports bra. Since the inventory was low, there were no sports bras in my size at that time, so they took my information and told me they'd call me when the order came in so that I could come try out sports bras. It's been about 6 weeks and I've been back into the store but never did receive the call on that.
  
  The every-day bra that I finally ended up with, a Natori padded push-up bra, looked GREAT on me at the store, but it doesn't really work in daily life. Sure as long as I am standing still I look fabulous! But when I wear it around the house doing general daily tasks (like bending over to empty the dishwasher or hustling up the stairs - or drive down a bumpy road), my breasts spill out of the cups giving me that horrible quadri-boob look.
  
  Since there's an All Sales Final / No Returns or Exchanges policy at Hope's Chest, I called the store and was invited to come back in wearing the bra to see if there was a way to make it fit better. Hope herself came in and adjusted the straps and such but ultimately all she had to offer were excuses: maybe you've grown due to hormones/menstrual cycle; maybe you've gained weight, maybe you've lost weight. Well, I'd bought the bra exactly 1 month prior so I was at the same hormonal point, and thanks but no I haven't gained or lost any weight in the last month (I check regularly, haha). Walked out so frustrated, stuck with a $112 bra I can't/won't even wear. Yes, you read that right, the bra cost $112 at Hope's Chest. If I'd done my homework I could have gotten it for $79 at either of the other 2 bra stores I have frequented in the past, and even less if I'd bought it on Amazon.
  
  So, desperately, last weekend I made the trek up to yet ANOTHER bra store in Monrovia and spent almost two hours with a fitter, trying on brand after brand and several sizes, only find out in the end that the bra I was fitted into at Hope's Chest is the wrong size and style for me. I'm now comfy, secure, uplifted and supported, and even though I bought two of them I spent $25 less than on the one ill-fitting bra at Hope's Chest. Even with time, traffic and gas to drive up and back, I still spent less - and I finally have bras that fit.
  
  I wanted to love Hope's Chest. But based on my experience I just can't recommend them, at least not for bras. Maybe for swimwear or other lingerie it would be better, but I'm not sure I'll ever go back to find out.
  April 04, 2017
• 5 / 5

  By Kandyce Wearing
  Can't say enough about how amazing this shop is!! Great product, great price and staff is amazing
  October 05, 2016
• 2 / 5

  By Kelly g
  I had a very similar experience to Sarah in that I wanted to love this small local store. I loved that they asked what was most important to you when looking for a bra. For me it was comfort and support. I told them I wanted something I could wear all day comfortably. The bras I was fitted for seemed great in the store and I was excited about wearing one the next day. Well after just a few hours it hurt so badly I had to take it off. I took both bras I had purchased back ( one still had the tags on) and told them how badly it hurt. I had red marks in several different areas and showed them to the consultant. I too got several excuses as to why and was told I needed to "break it in" and to give it a few days and continue to wear it despite the pain. I left feeling very frustrated because each one was about $90 and for that price I expected a great bra that was comfortable. She did tell me to come back in if it still wasn't comfortable but that all sales are final (which I understand because they are undergarments) however I didn't feel comfortable doing that because when I did go in the next day after purchasing I got a lot of excuses (including the weight and hormone comments) and the impression that it's just the way "good" bras are going to fit. I was even sore the next day despite wearing a different bra. have since been refitted and purchased some great fitting bras for about $35 each.
  August 26, 2016