I’m a trans woman who went for a bra fitting in M&S – and the world didn’t end

Following the recent furore over a trans employee at Marks and Spencer asking a mother and daughter – who happened to be looking for a bra – if they needed any assistance in store, there has been a lot of confusion about the brand’s policies on single-sex spaces and trans inclusion. Despite this, Sophie Molly’s bra fitting at the high street retailer was entirely uneventful, she writes for PinkNews. 

I have breasts. Yes! I know this may be shocking to hear – but it’s true. Don’t believe the hype. I’m just a regular woman who wanted to get measured for a bra. I’m not a predator, or a man pretending to be a woman. I’m just an average person living my best life.

For weeks now, so-called “gender critical” activists have been talking about how awful it is that a trans woman works in M&S. Spreading lies and misinformation about her. Painting her as a threat to the safety of women and girls.

Yet here’s the thing – there was no threat. She is just a member of staff doing her job. 

We’re both just normal women.

To show my support, I posted on X (Twitter) that I had arranged a bra fit at M&S. Of course the usual suspects were not happy. They piled on my post with nasty and threatening comments. I was accused of invading women’s spaces and being a sex pest.

All that just because I said I was going to get measured for a bra. A mundane activity that really is no big deal. Sadly trans people are no stranger to this harassment – it’s our reality.

Of course I ignored all of it. I was not about to let strangers online tell me how to live my life – also I really needed a comfy bra.

Arriving at M&S I asked a member of staff where the bra fitting section was. It was my first time, so I didn’t know how the process worked. I was led upstairs to a changing room in the lingerie section of the store. A second member of staff introduced themselves to me. They made me feel at ease. I  mentioned it was my first time and they could not have been nicer.

My chest and cup size was quickly measured using a tape measure. All I had to do was lift my arms up – so easy! I was then brought a bunch of bras in different styles to try on. She looked away each time I changed my bra. It was all very respectful.

When trying on bras we spoke about our love of cats. We both agreed that cats really do become part of the family. We talked about our love of cinema too – we had lots in common. It was just a regular conversation between two women. No weirdness, just a quiet afternoon at M&S.

I was questioned about how they felt and which ones I preferred. After ten minutes or so of trying various ones on, I chose a couple to buy. She led me to a till, I paid for the bras and she wished me a good afternoon. 

That was it! Done. 

No drama whatsoever.

People in the store were just getting on with their lives. Shoppers looking for clothes, staff members helping them. Not a single person stared at me. Nobody was alarmed or shocked by my presence. The staff were amazing. 

I felt completely at ease the whole time. On leaving the store, I felt great! I had two brand new fitted bras and a sense of achievement – a real sense of pride in myself. It took great courage, but I did it. 

I refuse to let transphobes scare me. I won’t let them stop me living life to the fullest.