I had passed by this store countless times and had generally avoided it because it seemed expensive. I am getting married in two months and needed a good corset for under my dress. I normally shop at Victoria Secret or Change (and hate La Senza) so I was hoping to pay $100-$150 for the corset (which I realize is low for a corset, but I've already dropped a fortune on my wedding). I booked an appointment that morning online and got an almost immediate confirmation. I was greeted kindly at the front and then taken to a fitting room by my salesperson - Babs. She was friendly and fun, but not annoying and in your face. She made me feel comfortable as we went through the process and did not try to sell me outrageously priced lingerie. I told her I was nervous about the lack of price tags, and she told me she had selected a range of low and mid range prices (before I had mentioned price). Her "best guess" was not only the lowest price, but the perfect fit and exactly what I had in mind. We tried to find panties to match, which was less successful, but I was happy enough leaving with just the corset. The entire experience was positive, but the best part was the store's understanding and flexibility. I have a dress fitting in two weeks, but they only had my corset in ivory, not white. They allowed me to take the ivory one to my fitting while they order me the white one. This was compeletely unexpected - I don't think you would find that service at any other lingerie shop. The store as a whole had a good vibe to it (non-corporate) and I would definitely recommend it to my friends. I'll admit I probably wouldn't go in there for everyday bras and panties (because of the lack of browsing), but it worked when I was looking for something specific.

I have walked past this store many times and never gone in because it looked pricey. However, I was desperately in need of a good bra-size bathing suit to replace my old one in time for a vacation in a few days. The store I normally go to (Sole, in First Canadian Place) was closed, so in a panic, I Googled bra-size swimwear and came up with Melmira.

I didn't research the store in much detail, just found the address and headed on the subway. When I arrived they had me make an appointment for later that day. An appoint to go buy a bathing suit.

Other reviews have described the concept of this store, so I'll spare the detail, but essentially there is no merchandise on the sales floor and you spend quite a lot of one-on-one time with a salesperson. They tell you a fitting takes about an hour.

The thing with me is that I have been sized for a bra more than once. I have also been sized previously for a bathing suit. I know my size and I know what brands work well on me. I had a very good idea of what I was looking for, the size, style and colour, etc. I did tell the salesperson my bra size (she didn't ask; I offered) but she continued to bring me bikini tops that were either way too big or way too small. The thing is that most of these bathing suits were the same brands I've had previously (and the same brands as my bras), such as Freya and Fantasie, so I knew instantly most of them were the wrong size.

I finally found a bikini top that fit and lo and behold - it was in the exact size I had originally requested!

I would have just walked out of there, but I was so beaten down by the hour I'd spent trying on a bunch of stuff I didn't like, and I was so in need of a new bathing suit, that I just bought the damn thing, even though it was probably twice the price I have paid for a similar bathing suit elsewhere (same brand, etc.)

This store was not for me, although I can say with some fairness that I'm not sure I would have picked out the bikini I ultimately bought if left on my own. I had to see it on to like it. Melmira is not for anyone who: likes to browse, knows what works on their body, has a specific idea of what they're looking for, doesn't want someone looking at them semi-naked, or likes to shop independently, wants to save money.

That said, I would probably recommend this store for shoppers who:
*Don't care much about price
*Don't have any clue what fits and what doesn't on their body
*Are easily overwhelmed by shopping in general or the prospect of bikini/lingerie shopping in particular
*Like personalized service and having someone make suggestions/offer an honest opinion

It has been a few years since I went to Sole, mentioned above, so I can't say whether it's still a good place to shop. However, I'd recommend it over Melmira for high-quality, well-fitted swimwear. It looks somewhat unassuming and quite crowded, but there is similar high-quality merchandise for cheaper prices (though still expensive). You can pick out your own bathing suits and the salespeople will still give you an honest opinion of whether it works on you or not and help you decide on the suit.