Hi everyone! I’ve seen a lot of older ladies like me posting on Reddit and forums lately, asking the same question: “Any recommendations for bras for elderly women?” I figured instead of trying to chime in with a response to every post, I’d write a bit of a guide I can just share a link to whenever I see someone asking for help. Saves my arthritic fingers from extra effort.

I’m Marjorie, 68, retired bra fitter, arthritis in both hands (and knees), and not especially patient when it comes to fiddly underwear. Honestly, I might have more experience with underwear than most people, but I’ve been in the same place as a lot of you.

When I first started looking for comfort bras for older ladies for myself, it was a lot tougher than just giving other women suggestions on what size or style to wear.

Still, I’ve got experience to share, so I thought I might as well get it out there. Hopefully, it’ll help at least a few of you struggling to get dressed in the morning.

My Quick Tips for Choosing a Bra for Elderly Women

I wanted to start with a few quick tips I pretty much copy and paste into most of the threads I see talking about bras for mature women. Some of these might seem pretty obvious to you if you’ve been searching for a while, but you’d be surprised. I can’t count how many times I’ve had someone tell me that they didn’t even know they could get a front-opening bra, for instance.

So here goes:

·         Always pick a front closure: It really does make life easier. A front-opening bra for seniors will stop you from having to twist and strain your shoulders every morning and night. Some closures are better than others, though. My favorite ones right now are magnetic, but anything that’s not incredibly fiddly (like traditional clasps) will help.

·         Wireless is usually better: Back when I worked in lingerie, everyone thought underwire was the only way to get lift. That’s just not true anymore. Plenty of bras for elderly ladies have enough support without stabbing you in the ribs all day.

·         Fabric really does matter: Skin gets more sensitive as we get older. Anything scratchy or stiff is just not worth it. My advice is to look for seamless, soft fabric. Something breathable, and designed to feel good, not just look good. If it’s easy to wash, that’s a bonus.

·         Pick wider, cushioned straps: Sometimes smaller straps are fine, but if you have bad shoulders or want more support for a bigger bust, wide straps are better. Try to find something that you know won’t have problems keeping the ladies hoisted up.

Another quick tip: double-check your sizing. If you haven’t done that in a few years, you could be buying entirely the wrong size. A bra with adjustable elements will help on days when your weight fluctuates, but it helps to have a good idea of the size you need to begin with.

My Five Top Bras for Elderly Ladies

I kind of wanted to cover all the bases here. I know some of you looking for the best bras for older women are just looking for something easy to get on and off. Others want more support for sagging breasts, and some just want something to sleep in.

So, here are all the bras in my rotation right now that I’d actually recommend, and more importantly, what I’d recommend them for.

My Top Everyday Bra: Liberare Everyday Easy-On

If you just want one reliable front-opening bra for seniors that pretty much does it all, the Everyday Easy-On is what I’d pick. This is the first bra I bought from Liberare (now my favorite lingerie brand), and it really lives up to its name.

I hadn’t tried a magnetic bra before Liberare, and if you haven’t either, you definitely should. The magnets in these bras aren’t exclusively responsible for holding everything together, but they do help guide the clasp shut, so it's not as hard to pull everything into place.

This bra is fully wireless, but still manages to give me enough shape, so I don’t feel like I’m sagging. The material is sleek and soft, without feeling like generic polyester. Plus, there’s a handy back extender so I can change the sizing when I’m feeling bloated. I just wish they made this bra in more colors, so I could have a few options.

My Budget Bra Pick: Fruit of the Loom Sports Bra

I personally think a bra is one of the few things you should probably spend a little extra money on – you wear it more than most of your other clothes. But if you’re on a tight budget, the Fruit of the Loom front-close sports bra isn’t a terrible option.

It’s soft and breathable, doesn’t have any wires, and it has extra thick straps, which is great if you have painful shoulders. You can even get a multi-pack for less than $30, so you don’t have to worry too much about laundry day.

The biggest issue I have with this bra is that it’s really not made for larger busts (I’m a DD cup). There’s not a lot of lift or support. The band rides up occasionally, too, which isn’t particularly comfy. Plus, it’s not very adjustable. You can’t even adjust the straps. But if you have a smaller bust, this one might work out just fine.

My Top Comfort Bra: Liberare Comfort Sculpt

Back to Liberare (because I really do love them), the Comfort Sculpt is the bra I always pick when I’m feeling tender, sensitive, or plagued by joint pain. It takes everything I really appreciate about the Everyday Easy-On Bra and adds a few particularly cozy extras.

The material somehow feels even softer, the straps are a lot wider, so they’re great at balancing out weight when my shoulders are acting up, and there’s a lot of coverage around the back and sides, too. This bra also comes in a super cute pink color, which I adore.

You don’t get the back extender with this option, but the shoulder straps are still adjustable. Plus, it’s still super easy to get on and off with that magnetic clasp (and some handy finger loops).

If you want something to wear on days when you’re feeling sore or just want maximum softness, this is the bra for elderly ladies I’d recommend every time.

My Pick for Sleep: The Silverts Snap-Front Bra

I dithered a bit when deciding whether to add this one to the list, because a lot of ladies I know don’t bother to wear a bra to bed. If you do, you might just stick with whatever you’re wearing, if the bra you’ve chosen is comfortable enough.

Still, if you want something exclusively for sleeping, the Silverts Snap-Front bra works well for me. It’s designed as a comfort bra for seniors who need the gentlest support possible. The material is quite thin, which means it’s very breathable if you’re a hot sleeper. But that also means you don’t get much coverage and support.

The front closure is pretty easy to work too, but it’s not the most reliable. The snaps can sometimes open unpredictably, which is obviously a problem if you’re out and about. If you’re looking for something you can sleep in that you don’t need to change out of as soon as you wake up, I’d probably advise trying the Liberare Wrap Bralette instead.

Neither option will give you a lot of lift, but they will both keep you pretty comfortable and cool when you’re just lounging around at home.

My Top Choice for Sagging: Liberare Smooth-On T-Shirt Bra

If I’m going out and want to look a bit more polished, this is my pick. I’d call this the best bra for older women who want a smooth shape under clothes but still can’t stand underwire. It’s a lot more structured than the Comfort Sculpt or Everyday Easy-On bras, but still comfortable.

There are lightly padded cups that give just enough lift and shape to help everything look perky without feeling like you’re wearing body armor. The wider band feels secure but not tight, and the magnetic front closure makes getting dressed easy, even on stiff mornings.

One other clever feature I love: there’s a little J-hook in the back that lets you convert it to a racerback if you need the straps hidden or want more support. If you have a bigger bust and you’re worrying about sagging, this is an easy choice.

Good Luck Finding your Favorite Bra

I hope some of these ideas help you find something that makes your day a little more comfortable. Just remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all, and you don’t have to settle for bras that make you feel worse instead of better.

If you’ve got a favorite bra for mature women, please share it. I’m always checking out Reddit for more ideas, as well as tips and shopping tricks.

If you’re still looking for what works for you, though, I’d definitely recommend starting with Liberare. It’s become my go-to brand these last few years, and I really wish more women knew about it. Trust me when I say you won’t regret buying one of those bras.