Shopping is not always fun. It can be tedious and annoying. Sales people can bombard you or completely ignore you. The best scenario for people who like to shop without pressure is for sales people to acknowledge customer presence, offer assitance, and let them shop. An even more daunting shopping task is searching for the right bra.

It is reported on various sites that approximately 80% of women are in the wrong sized bras.  Bras should lay flat against the body.  The band should not be high in the back and low in the front, and the straps should neither be falling off or digging into one's skin.  Sizes are not made for everyone.  For example, someone in between a 32 and 34 band size may have immense difficulties finding a bra that fits.  If the band fits, sometimes the cups do not go far enough back under the arms.  If the cups fit, sometimes the straps are too wide set for a narrow frame.

Many speciality companies offer sizing, but their staff do not properly size women.  A woman who has since been measured by professionals was told at a popular shop that she is a 34B, when in actuality, she is a 34F in that shop.  The point is, even if one is measured, there is no getting around having to actually try the bras before purchasing them.

Soma is located in the Florida Mall in Orlando.  It is a relatively new store and caters to many sizes.  However, the same scenario applies:  in between sizes are not available.  For a narrow frame that fits a 34DDD there, the straps may still be too loose and slide off.  Also, their larger sized bras do not come with convertible straps, so it is wise to invest in their 3-way bra strap converter.

This author visited Soma on two occasions.  On the first visit, no one assisted, acknowledged, or offered to assist the potential customer.  The second visit was a pleasant surprise.  Liliana introduced herself and spent the necessary time going back and forth with measuring, sizing, trying on, getting other bras, and properly assisting the customer.  She was very knowledgeable of the items in the store and the products carried by the store.  Her manager, Carla Vesa, was also avialable in the store to assist with any consumer questions for which Liliana may not have had answers.  For example, the consumer is allergic to polyester and metal.  Both ladies knew which bras to show and which ones would gravely irritate the client's sensitive skin.

Although bra shopping is not pleasant, Liliana and Carla made the experience as pleasant as possible.  Liliana's assistance is recommended to those who are in need of a proper fitting bra.  Her sales etiquette is better than most in the greater Orlando area, which can likely be attributed to the high tourist traffic.  Customer service rating:  4.  Fives are not typically awarded as there is always room for improvement, so, for all practical purposes, fours are like fives.  Happy shopping!