Editors Note: Thanks again to my friend Shannon for helping me out with this “delicate” subject.
Bras for senior ladies should be supportive without the underwire feature. They should also be easy to put on and take off. They should be discreet under clothing, and generally comfortable. Below are some of the key features you should look for when finding the best bras for elderly ladies, along with some recommended brands and products.
Best Comfortable Bras for Older Women
Fruit of the Loom Women’s Front Close Builtup Sports Bra
For senior women, sports bras can provide more support and overall comfort than traditional underwire bras, even if you’re not especially active. Sports bras are often made with soft, flexible materials while keeping everything in place all day long.
Fruit of the Loom’s sports bra has that all-important front closing feature, which comes in a traditional hook-and-eye form. It’s also 95% cotton, so it’s very soft, but durable and supportive. It provides full coverage with a scoop neckline so that it’s easily hidden under any clothing as well.
This sports bra actually comes in a 2 pack as well, so it’s a great deal. It’s relatively affordable and has great customer reviews, so this is a great purchase for any elderly woman, even if they had never thought a sports bra would benefit them before.
Playtex Women’s Plus Size Front-Close Bra with Flex Back
Playtex is another well-known underwear and bra brand name, and they make comfortable, practical front closing bras for everyday wear. This bra has a hook-and-eye function, to keep the front closing feature easy to use.
The frame of this bra is wire-free, so no need to worry about that digging into any sensitive skin areas. It’s also fully adjustable to accommodate your unique comfort needs, with adjustable wide straps and extra padding on the back to put less weight and strain on your neck and shoulders. This bra is made out of elastic and polyester for customized, comfortable fit.
The cups of this bra also have a beautiful floral design. It comes in a huge variety of colors – 11 to be exact! Choose a modest nude color or a fun, funky color if you’d like.
Just My Size Front Close Wirefree Bra
Finally, a lesser known brand called “Just My Size” also makes a high-quality bra that’s highly rated by users of all ages. It has a high-quality comfort construction, with hook and eye closures at the front, full coverage cups, and wide, cushioned shoulder straps. The back is also very stretchy and made out of satin for added silky comfort.
The cups are free of any underwire, which is great for elderly women who don’t want that irritation. But as an added bonus, the cups are layered 3 times over for awesome lift and shaping without the uncomfortable underwire.
Best of all, this everyday bra is entirely machine washable! That’s a tough feature to find outside of the sports bra realm, but this bra has it.
It comes in 3 colors – white, beige, and black – and there’s also an option to get a 2 pack of each. If seams tend to irritate your skin, Just My Size also makes a seamless version of this bra for a little extra money, but it would be worth it for all-day, everyday comfort and support.
Bali Women’s Comfort Revolution Front-Close Shaping Underwire Bra
If you need the extra support of an underwire, Bali’s front closing bra gives you perfect shape and added support with their “Comfort Revolution” bra. It’s top rated on Amazon and comes at an affordable price, although you only get one in the pack.
It comes in 4 colors, mostly nude tones for a subtle look, and the cups are nicely padded to give you lots of comfort and full coverage. This bra’s front closing feature is a simple latch that hooks right into the other cup, so it’s easy to use and very versatile with adjustable straps as well.
Just My Size Comfort Cushion Strap Front Close Bra
Finally, a lesser known brand called “Just My Size” also makes a high quality front close bra that’s highly rated by users. It’s a fairly standard construction, with hook and eye closures at the front, full coverage cups, and wide cushioned shoulder straps. The back is also very stretchy and made out of satin.
However, this bra is unique because of the cup construction. It’s wireless, which is great for elderly women who don’t want that irritation, but the cups are layered 3 times over for awesome lift and shaping without the wire.
The outside is textured with a beautiful floral design as well, and best of all, this high quality bra is machine washable! That’s a tough feature to find outside of the sports bra realm, but this bra has it.
This bra comes in 3 colors – white, beige, and black – and there’s also an option to get a 2 pack of each. If seams tend to irritate your skin, Just My Size also makes a seamless version of this bra for a little extra money, but it would be worth it for your all-day, everyday comfort.
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A front closing bra is as easy to use as a button-up shirt. Basically, put your arms through the holes, secure it in place, and hook the latch together. You’ll be able to see what you’re doing, and no need to bend your arms in all kinds of crazy directions trying to get that latch together.
Above are some of the best front closing bras on the market, specially made for older women. Check them out, and see how much of a difference this simple feature can make your daily life easier while getting dressed.
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Important Bra Features for Seniors
Consider each of these features and options when shopping for a bra. Only you can know which bra is the right one for you. But, generally, these options make bras easier to wear for senior ladies.
1. Front Closing Feature For Easy On and Off
One of the most useful features for older women looking for great bras is a front closure. This could come in the form of a traditional hook and eye, a snap, or a velcro fastener. Instead of struggling to put the bra on behind your back, which can be particularly difficult for elderly women, simply put your arms through the holes and fasten the bra at the front, like a button up shirt. This can reduce shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain or potential injury, and make the process of getting dressed much easier and less stressful.
2. Easily Adjustable Straps for the Right Fit
Similarly, the straps of the bra should also be easy to adjust, ideally at the front of the strap rather than the back. This reduces stress on the shoulder, and enhances comfort overall.
3. Great Support Without the Wire
Along the lines of comfort, perhaps one of the most important features of a good bra for an elderly lady is a great amount of support, without the underwire. Underwire bras are irritating on skin, both on the surface and in terms of the muscle around the area, as they can dig into the skin and cause unnecessary pain. You can find great support without the underwire by looking for a long-line fit (one that goes slightly above the waist), and large, comfortable cups.
Summary
Overall, just make sure that the bra you buy works for you. Try it out for a day or two, and if it doesn’t provide the comfort or support you need, don’t be afraid to return it and keep looking. It can be difficult to find quality pieces of clothing, especially intimates, as we get older.
But bras need to be just as functional as any other piece of clothing, so don’t be tempted by the latest “super-mega push-up bombshell” trend. Choose a bra that will work for your lifestyle.
What have been your experiences with trying to find a comfortable, supportive bra as you got older? Share with us below!
