If you’ve gotten to the age where you realize that putting on a bra has gone from a thing you do in the morning to something you struggle with, you’re not alone.
Our bodies change considerably over the years, and our breasts are no different. Women over the age of 50 can experience breast tissue becoming softer and less dense, skin becoming more delicate and even a loss of muscle tone that leads to more fatty tissue in the muscle, which impacts the style of the bra best fit for aging bodies.
So whether you’ve found your breasts have let gravity take over or you can’t find a bra that doesn’t pinch here or pull there, it can be an unwelcome challenge to find the best bra that fits comfortably and provides the optimal lift and support.
We've enlisted our team of Bra Fit Experts to share their top tips and advice when shopping online for bras for older women, along with their favorite styles for every need and body type.
Finding the Perfect Fit
So many life changes can alter the shape and size of our breasts: pregnancy, weight loss or gain, uneven breast shape resulting from surgery or aging, to say nothing of menopause. In short, as you grow older, it's important to revisit your bra size.
We’ve outlined a simple process in our guide for measuring your bra size at home so you can feel confident purchasing online. If you’re still unsure whether you’ve landed on the right size, you can talk to one of our Bra Fit Experts directly, and they will help you find the best size and type of bra for your needs.
Once you know your size, the fun begins.
Let’s go shopping.
Best Bras for Sagging Breasts
As the years go by, our breasts starting to sag as a result of gravity. This almost universal experience changes how we shop for bras as we get older. As we grow in experience, we're increasingly on the lookout for an extra boost; when it comes to bras for sagging breasts, a little extra lift and support can go a long way.
What are some tips to achieve that extra lift and support from your bra? According to our Bra Fit Experts, unlined styles provide more lift and a more rounded shape than lined styles do. Plus, you’ll also want to be on the lookout for styles that have side support or a vertical seam, which gives support and shaping within the cup, adding forward projection.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best bras for sagging breasts, as recommended by our resident experts:
Wacoal Elevated Allure Seamless Lift Bra
This bra’s supportive full-coverage cups lift the bust up to a whole inch, making it the perfect solution for sagging breasts. Even better, this bra has a seamless design so you don’t have to worry about it showing from under your clothes. (Love the idea of seamless lift but don’t love an underwire? Check out the Wacoal Elevated Allure Wire-Free Bra.
Chantelle Rive Gauche Side Support Bra
This side support bra is lightweight and still delivers full coverage. It comes in five beautiful colors, embellished with a semi-sheer stretch lace and is “very supportive yet soft,” says one of our reviewers.
Best Support Bras for Older Women with Fuller Busts
Many older women with larger breasts tend to choose full coverage side support bras. Side support bras usually have three or more parts to the cup with a vertical seam and materials that hold everything in place, providing comfortable lift.
Fantasie Reflect Side Support Bra
Just because you’re looking for extra support and lift doesn’t mean your bra can’t also be beautiful. This stunner showcases a four-part, multi-layered cup, with pretty lace along the top, that lifts all day long. Fantasie is always a great option for those with a fuller bust.
Best Supportive Bras for Fuller Figures
Here are the bras that come recommended by our Bra Fit Experts for plus size women:
The Elomi Cate Side Support bra is one of our most popular and trusted styles—by our Bra Fit Experts and customers alike. With over 800 five-star reviews, this embroidered full cup bra provides lift, shape and support, making it a “must-have bra,” says one reviewer. (Check out the Elomi Cate Side Support Wire-Free Bra for the same support without the wire.)
Goddess Keira Satin Side Support Bra
Another fan fave and great option for plus sizes, the Goddess Keira full coverage underwire bra provides unparalleled lift and has a higher center gore that separates breasts. A review from one of our customers says it all: “Best bra I’ve had in years.” Plus—you guessed it—we carry the Keira Side Support Wire-Free Bra, as well.
Not as concerned about lift and just want to feel comfortable? Keep reading for some of our most comfortable all-day bra options.
The Most Comfortable All-Day Bras for Senior Women
At this age (at every age!), comfort is one of the most important things when choosing a bra. Consider something lightweight that won’t dig into your underarms, breasts or ribs since as we age, our skin thins and feels more sensitivity. A lot of women will opt for a bigger band in these cases, consider the fabric used in the bra or switch from underwire to wire-free styles.
If you're looking for a traditional bra that's great for all-day wear, our Bra Fit Experts recommend checking out these styles:
Anita Rosa Faia Twin Seamless Comfort Bra
The most common word from our customers' feedback about this bra is "comfortable." Seamless and unlined, it offers more lift and rounded shape than lined styles and remains undetectable under your clothing. This underwire bra also comes in a wire-free option. Both are great for all-day wear, work on almost all breast shapes and fit a variety of sizes.
There's a reason this bra has hundreds of five-star reviews. Like the above, this bra is great all-day, every-day—the seamless microfiber fabric feels silky smooth on the skin—while hidden built-in inner slings provide a flattering lift. While the underwire is encased in a comfortable, double-layer fabric, this bra also comes in a wire-free option for those looking for extra comfort.
Struggling with how difficult it can be to put on a back-clasp bra? Never fear, we’ve got some bras just for that.
The Easiest to Put On Bras for Senior Women
If there’s an unsung hero of your lingerie drawer, it’s the front-closure bra. As we age, it’s common to lose shoulder mobility and flexibility, which makes front-close options all the more appealing: Front-closure bras are the solution to morning contortions as they fasten easily.
So whether you’re just starting to explore front-close bras or have been a fan for a while, here are some of our top recommendations:
Glamorise WonderWire Front-Close Bra
Well-loved and with a wide range of options in a large bust range, this bra has almost 1,500 positive reviews that make it, by far, one of the best bets on our list. Beyond fastening in front, this bra also has padding along the underwire, which makes it extra comfortable.
Bali Comfort Revolution Front-Close T-Shirt Bra
Everyone needs a T-shirt bra. They’re seamless, comfortable, shaping and sleek. Plus, with this particular bra, which is accompanied by hundreds of positive reviews, you won’t struggle to put it on to achieve that smooth, rounded look; it's a snap.
If traditional bras aren’t your thing, or if you need a bra designed for physical activity, another supportive and comfortable option is a sports bra.
The Best Sports Bras for Older Women
You don’t have to be an athlete to wear a sports bra. As a matter of fact, sports bras come with different levels of support, and a lot of people wear them every day. Sports bras tend to be some of the best bras for sagging breasts without underwire; although some do have underwires if you’re looking for extra support.
Sports bras come in low-impact, medium-impact and high-impact based on activity level. The higher the impact level of a sports bra, the more support it will give. So if you’re looking for a sports bra to replace your everyday bras and give you more support and comfort, consider low-impact sports bras.
Here are two winning low-impact sports bras for older women:
Glamorise Zip-Up Front-Close Wire-Free Sports Bra
Not only does this bra give great support, it’s also a front-close bra, which means no more reaching behind you to get your clasps closed or fighting to get a tight bra on overhead. Cup sizes start at a B, and this bra comes in three great colors.
Natori Yogi Underwire Sports Bra
This bra offers full coverage as well as underwire for additional support. Its adjustable straps help you get the perfect fit. Cup sizes range from B to I, and this bra comes in lots of fun color combinations.
At any age, the style of bra you choose will be based on your shape and size, preferences and lifestyle. Check out our Bra Finder to shop our vast selection of bras using a short quiz to help us find the best bras suited to your body, your style, your life. As always, if you’d like one-on-one help with finding the perfect bra size and style for you, reach out to our Bra Fit Experts.