10 Best Bra Options for Older Women
Aging is definitely a process. A process that we can try to gracefully slow down by leading a healthy and active lifestyle. But no matter how much we try, certain body parts are simply prone to weaken over time. Our breasts fall in this category. Yup, our girls are going south, and they’re not coming back.
Our skin loses collagen and elasticity through the years, and the ligaments that support the breasts weaken. Additionally, breastfeeding and wearing the wrong (or no) bra can also have an impact on our breast health. All of this leaves us with a sagging version of what our breasts used to be.
Here are our top 10 best bra options for older women:
- Playtex 18 Hour Front-Close Wirefree Bra with Flex Back – The wire-free frame and large side and back panels make it the perfect bra for any figure.
- Just My Size Easy-On Front Close Wirefree Bra – 3-seamed cups help shape your body perfectly and provide ultimate support.
- Vanity Fair Women’s Beauty Bra with Extended Side & Back Smoothing – This bra features a unique arm crossover design for front-to-back smoothing and maintains its shape. It’s made from soft, 4-way stretch fabric for a sleek look, with lightly lined cups and wire-free construction for comfort and support.
- CATE Side Support Bra from Elomi – perfect if you still want a little sheerness without giving up support or comfort.
- Rive Gauche Full Coverage Unlined Bra from Chantelle – offers support and a touch of femininity with its exquisite lace design.
- Fruit of the Loom Women’s Front Closure Cotton Bra – Fruit of the Loom’s unlined wire-free bra offers full coverage, convenient front ruching, hook and eye closure, and back-smoothing for a comfortable and practical choice with soft, thick straps.
- Glamorise Magic Lift Front-Close Wirefree Posture Bra – provides easy front closure and wire-free fit for ultimate comfort.
- SOMA SPORT Medium Impact Zip Front Sport Bra – perfect front closure sports bra.
- Arthritis Bra Front Fastening from Silvert’s – designed especially for older women who have problems getting into and out of their bras.
- Lilyette Comfort Lace Minimizer Bra – minimize your breast size without compromising your shape.
Have you felt that your usual bras don’t fit as well as before? Have you noticed bulges on your sides and even on your back? Are your breasts making a disappearing act under your armpits? Maybe you’re having difficulty putting your bra on and taking it off?
You’re not alone.
Unless you’ve had implants or reconstructive surgery, you’ll need to look into purchasing a bra that is comfortable and that will provide adequate support for your heading-south bust. No worries, there is a variety of bras for older women to choose from.
I’ll admit I have a thing for bras and probably own way too many for just one woman. I have cute French lace bras, cozy everyday t-shirt bras, bralettes, sexy push-up bras, and supportive sports bras.
I was a lingerie designer for over 20 years so that probably explains my love of all things underwear. One thing that I have noticed recently is that my bras don’t fit as well as they used to.
So, it seems that a changing body means it’s time to change our bras.
Why Wear a Bra
Our culture has grown to expect women to start wearing bras as soon as they start showing signs of breast growth, usually at the onset of puberty.
Trends have come and gone through the years, from the iconic conal bras of the 40s to the burning of the bras movement of the 70s, right up to the extremely padded push-up bras of recent years.
But why do we wear bras? Apart from the cultural acceptance of bras, women (especially those with larger breasts) feel better when the breasts are supported under their clothing as they go about their daily active lives.
Well-fitted bras will provide a smooth and appealing shape and also provide support to help preserve the breasts from drooping in mature age.
What to Look for in a Bra for Older Women
You shouldn’t forgo wearing a bra because you are getting older. You simply need to find one that fits you well and that is comfortable to wear.
Quality
Quality bras are made of durable fabrics and solid components (sliders, closures, etc.). Look for carefully designed and well-constructed bras. Typically, quality bras cost more than fast-fashion bras.
Comfort
We spend a lot of time in our bras, so comfort is essential. It’s important to try on a bra before purchasing it to make sure that you feel good in it.
Quality bras will be comfortable and not have any components that scratch or irritate your skin. Wider shoulder straps usually are more comfortable than the thinner ones.
Support
The main reason to wear a bra is to provide support for your breasts. Depending on the size of your breasts, the bra will need to meet certain requirements. You may not need supportive underwires if you have smaller breasts.
Remember, your breasts should not be supported by the shoulder straps but rather by the cups and side panels. To check this, simply slide your straps off your shoulders and determine if you still have adequate support.
Coverage
Trends come and go. This is also true in the bra industry. You may be tempted to go for the lacey cute demi-cup, but make sure that it is the right fit for you. If you want ultimate comfort and no bulges, look for bras that cover more of your chest and that offer wide side pieces.
What Are Your Needs
Whenever you purchase a new bra, consider your specific needs.
Physical Conditions
Those with arthritis and other health issues that hinder regular movements will appreciate bras with front closures and velcro fastenings. These bras make it easier to put on and take off.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle is important when choosing a good bra. Do you do a lot of sports? Look for bras with lots of support and coverage.
Budget
Bras vary greatly in price. Typically, the best quality bras are more expensive but tend to last longer and can put up with lots of wear and tear. If you’re on a limited budget, check for sales and promotions.
How to Get the Perfect Bra Fit
Chances are you’re wearing the wrong bra size as you’re reading this. Studies have shown that up to eight women out of ten are not fitted properly. This can happen because you simply got used to purchasing a certain size and stuck to it.
An ill-fitted bra doesn’t only look bad, it can also cause health issues like back and shoulder pain.
The body undergoes continuous transformation, and your bra size can change as well throughout your life. In order to determine the right shape and size for you, you can look for helpful videos online, such as these ones from Her Room, or get fitted by a bra specialist in specialty lingerie stores.
10 Best Bras for Older Women
Let’s take a look at the 10 best bras (and brands) for older women on the market today.
Playtex 18 Hour Front-Close Wirefree Bra with Flex Back
Playtex’s best-selling 18-hour front closure bra assures all-day comfort and support. The wire-free frame and large side and back panels make it the perfect bra for any figure but especially if you are heavier.
Best features:
- Wire-free
- Front closure
- Breathable mesh inserts
Just My Size Easy-On Front Close Wirefree Bra
Another classic, full-coverage bra perfect for older women is the Just My Size wire-free version. The 3-seamed cups help shape your body perfectly and provide ultimate support. Did you know that more seams indicate better support? Now you do! By the way, this bra style is offered up to 54 band size and DDD cups.
Best features:
- Wire-free
- Front closure
- Large sizes
Vanity Fair Women’s Beauty Bra with Extended Side & Back Smoothing
The unique crossover design beneath the arm offers exceptional smoothing from the front to the back while maintaining its shape over time. Made from soft, 4-way stretch fabric, this bra effectively smooths and contours the sides and back, ensuring a sleek appearance under various types of clothing.
Lightly lined cups provide modesty and create a well-defined shape, while the wirefree construction ensures both separation and adequate support for maximum comfort and style.
Best Features:
The three best features of the described product are:
- Unique Crossover Design
- Soft, 4-Way Stretch Fabric
- Wirefree
CATE Side Support Bra from Elomi
The Cate full-cup bra is perfect if you still want a little sheerness without giving up support or comfort. The side panels and underwires offer ultimate support. It comes in various colors – hot pink, teal, and royal blue to name a few. It also comes in large cup sizes running up to K.
Best features:
- Offered in larger sizes
- Great support
- Good lift
Rive Gauche Full Coverage Unlined Bra from Chantelle
If you want lacey, supportive, and comfy all rolled into one, try a Chantelle bra. The best-selling Rive Gauche full-coverage bra offers support and a touch of femininity with its exquisite lace design.
Best features:
- Beautiful design and style
- Double-lined mesh band
- Unlined
Fruit of the Loom Women’s Front Closure Cotton Bra
This unlined wirefree bra from Froot of the Loom provides full coverage, ensuring comfort and support. With front ruching and a hook and eye closure, it’s easy to put on and take off.
The back-smoothing feature ensures a sleek and seamless look under clothing. The soft and thick straps offer added comfort and security. This combination of features makes it a practical and comfortable choice for everyday wear, providing the support and coverage you need.
Best features:
- Cotton/Spandex blend
- Front closure
- WIde shoulder straps
Glamorise Magic Lift Front-Close Wirefree Posture Bra
Another great model from Hanes that is perfect for older women is the Glamorise Magic Lift. It provides easy front closure and wire-free fit for ultimate comfort. This bra style runs to 58 band size and up to K cup size.
Best features:
- Offered in larger sizes
- Great back support
- Front closure
SOMA SPORT Medium Impact Zip Front Sport Bra
This smooth, seamless bra from Soma Sport will give you the comfort you need to stretch and move. It’s perfect for a low-impact workout or simply running errands around town. The zip-front design is convenient and makes the bra easy to put on and take off.
Best features:
- Front zip closure
- Removable pads
- Seamless
Arthritis Bra Front Fastening from Silvert’s
This easy front fastening bra from Silvert’s is perfect if you have arthritis or joint pain. It’s designed especially for older women who have problems getting into and out of their bras.
Best features:
- Easy front opening
- Extra-large straps
- Soft breathable fabric
Lilyette Comfort Lace Minimizer Bra
Need a minimizer bra? The microfiber Lilyette bra has you covered. It will minimize your breast size without compromising your shape.
Best features:
- Comfortable minimizing cups
- Wide-set straps
- Pretty lace detail
More Bras for Women Over 60 Worth Mentioning
Cotton Comfort Front-Close No-Wire Bra
This breathable unlined and unwired bra from Catherine’s is perfect if you are looking for a fun printed bra. It has five hook-and-eye closures at the front and a u-shaped back that helps to keep straps from slipping and to reduce bulge for a smooth silhouette.
One Fab Fit® Everyday Modern Demi Underwire Bra
Maidenform is known for its quality bras that are designed with quality fabrics and trimmings. This wired t-shirt bra is made with super soft microfiber that gives a sleek silhouette under your clothing.
FAQs:
Which Bra Is Best and Most Comfortable for Daily Use?
We are all created differently and are changing differently as we age. One bra may be perfect for one and not for another. But some things are universal when it comes to comfort.
Regarding fabrics, natural fibers (like cotton and cotton stretch mixes) tend to breathe better and not irritate the skin as much as synthetic fabrics. Metal and hard trimmings (like sliders and hooks) are never comfortable, but necessary in the construction of bras. Look for bras with the least metal attachments – sports bras are a good idea.
Wider straps and side panels are more comfortable and don’t dig in as much as thinner straps.
The Bali Double Support Full-Coverage Wirefree T-Shirt Bra fills many of these requirements and is a comfortable everyday bra.
Read 5 ORGANIC COTTON BRAS FOR WOMEN OVER 50.
How Do I Find the Right Bra for My Body?
Finding the right size/fit is crucial in order to be comfortable in your bras. Our bodies change and so do our bra sizes. A big mistake that many women make is to keep purchasing the same size of bras through the years without questioning that they may be wearing the wrong size.
Here are a few suggestions to find the right bra size for your body:
- You can go to stores specialized in lingerie to get a professional fitting. They will take the necessary measurements and suggest the best size and styles for you.
- You can also measure yourself with a measuring tape at home. First measure around under your bust for your band size. Then measure around and across your nipples for your cup size. Subtract the difference between these two measurements to find your bra size. Here’s an example: if your bust measures 37” and your under-bust measures 34” you’ll need a 34C (37 minus 34 equals 3 and that number corresponds to a C cup).
- Some online retailers have technicians standing by to help you find the right bra. Open a chat box and get the advice you need.
Are Wire-Free Bras Better?
The underwires in bras are meant to provide support and lift. Many women with smaller breasts don’t need the extra support. Wire-free bras are more comfortable for everyday wear and it comes down to if you need that much support or not.
Read 10 WIRELESS BRAS FOR WOMEN OVER 60.
Which Bra Will You Choose?
I know, shopping for a bra online may seem a tad challenging. Make sure to check the return policies so that you can easily ship back your purchase if it doesn’t fit properly. Most of these websites offer assistance in finding your perfect fit. Some have questionnaires for you to answer and others have live chats with fit technicians.
Finding your perfect fit is worth the time and effort. I hope that one of these bras for older women on my list meets your expectations.
Read LINGERIE GUIDE FOR OLDER WOMEN.
Also, read 10 BEST FRONT-CLOSURE BRAS FOR OLDER WOMEN.
Note: These photos are taken from the retailers’ and the brands’ websites. We all know that they clearly need to change their marketing and advertisements to include older women of all sizes. You can write to your favorite retailers and kindly let them know that you don’t feel included nor seen by their choice of models.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you own one of these bras? Can you tell us what you think about it and why you like it? Do you have another style that is not on my list that you absolutely love and want to share with us? Comment below, and let’s chat bras.
