Hi there! If you haven’t stumbled across me on Reddit yet, I’m April, a 65-year-old grandmother and retired bra fitter. I’m not claiming to be some sort of guru that knows everything there is to know about bras for elderly ladies, but I do know a lot.

The time I spent as a bra fitter, and the experiences I’ve had as an “older lady” with arthritis and shoulder pain has given me a unique perspective on bra shopping. So, since I’ve seen a lot of women over sixty complaining about how they just can’t seem to find a bra that’s comfortable, supportive, and easy to wear these days, I thought I’d try and help.

Hopefully, this little guide will help you out if you’re still Googling “what’s the best bra for seniors” or waiting for someone to comment on your Reddit post with actual advice.

What Really Matters When You’re Choosing a Bra

If there’s one thing I wish every woman over 60 knew, it’s that you don’t have to settle for a bra that makes you feel trapped or miserable. The best bras for seniors should feel like a relief, not a punishment. But many of us assume we just have to “make do”.

Front Closures Make Life So Much Easier

The first time I tried a front closure bra for older women, I was a little skeptical. I thought, well, this will probably feel weird or not hold the ladies in place. But it was such a relief. No twisting around trying to fasten tiny hooks behind your back. If you can, try one with magnetic closures.

You just hold the sides together in front of you, and they pretty much snap themselves into place. I honestly wondered why I’d spent forty years fighting with back clasps.

Wireless is Not What it Used to Be

A lot of women still assume you can’t get any real shape without underwire. Clients I’ve worked with often thought that if you wanted to look “lifted,” you had to deal with that metal poking you in the ribs. These days? Not true. Many of the comfort bras for seniors are now wire-free yet still supportive. They smooth you out, hold you up, and feel good all day.

The Softer the Fabric, the Better Your Mood

Your skin gets fussier as you get older. Mine’s always bothering me. Anything scratchy or stiff feels ten times worse than it used to. If you can, look for bras made of smooth, breathable material. If it feels nice on your fingertips, it’s probably going to feel nice on your body. My rule is: if you wouldn’t want to nap in it, don’t buy it.

Straps That Don’t Dig In

Those skinny little straps they put on some bras might look dainty, but they don’t feel good after a couple of hours. Wide, cushioned straps spread out the weight and keep your shoulders from looking like you’ve been wearing a backpack all day. If you’re shopping for bras for women over 60, this is one of the first things I’d check.

Adjustability is Non-Negotiable

I don’t know about you, but my size is never exactly the same from month to month. Some mornings, my ribcage feels puffy. Other days, everything’s settled back down. You want a bra that can loosen or tighten as needed. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a pile of “almost fits” bras that make you frustrated.

Make Sure You Can Get It On By Yourself

This might sound obvious, but it’s worth saying: if you can’t put it on without cursing or needing help, it’s not the right bra. There are so many easy to put on bras for elderly women that you shouldn’t have to wrestle or ask someone to fasten you up like you’re in a period drama.

Bras That Might Not Work for Everyone

I wish there was a single bra out there that worked for everyone, but there just isn’t. Some types look promising in the photos but end up being a headache in real life.

I’ve seen a few of these recommended in articles and on Subreddits, but honestly, I think they only work for a tiny fraction of most women. I’d probably avoid:

• Over-the-head sports bras: They look so comfy and simple, but honestly, they’re a nightmare if your shoulders don’t work the way they used to. Options like the Harper Wilde Bliss bra feel good when they’re on, but getting them on (and off) isn’t worth the hassle.
• Flimsy bralettes: Bras like the front-close sports bra from Fruit of the Loom get recommended a lot because they’re cheap and soft. But if you’re anything more than a small cup size, they usually just flatten everything out, roll up under your bust, and make you feel droopy by lunchtime. Not exactly the best bras for older women in my book.
• Snap closures and Velcro. I’ve tried a few of these so-called adaptive bras. Snaps sound great until you realize they pop open if you lean forward too far. Velcro seems fine at first, but after a few washes, it starts to fray and scratch your skin.

If you’ve tried some of these and thought, “Is it me?” it’s not you. Some designs just aren’t made for folks who need bras that are gentle, supportive, and actually easy to manage.

The Best Bras for Seniors (in My Opinion)

All right, here’s the part everyone always asks me about. What do I actually wear? What have I recommended to friends and heard back, “Oh, thank you, this finally works!”

Quick reminder, no bra works for absolutely everyone. We’re all different ladies, that’s what makes us amazing. But here are some bras that my friends and I absolutely adore and I can genuinely feel confident advocating.

The Liberare Everyday Easy-On Bra

This was the first Liberare bra I stumbled across when I was searching for “Easy to put on bras for elderly women” after my arthritis diagnosis. It’s really special for a few reasons. First, it has a front-closure, but there are no unreliable snaps or scratchy Velcro segments.

Instead, you get a standard style clasp, but with magnets built in that help guide the closure shut. There are also little finger loops for those of us with arthritis, and an adjustable back for bloated days. Even though this bra is wireless, it gives me a nice shape, and the material feels amazing.

The Liberare Comfort Sculpt Bra

This one is my absolute favorite bra for older ladies, particularly on days when my arthritis flares up or I’m feeling sensitive. It still comes with Liberare’s magnetic closure, but there are a few bonus comfort features too. The straps are wider, which is great when I have painful shoulders.

The material is somehow even smoother than I expected, like silk against my skin. You also get a lot of coverage around the ribs and sides, so you feel a little more secure and smoothed out. If you’re shopping for comfort bras for seniors or you have days when your body just needs something extra gentle, this one is hard to beat.

The Liberare Smooth-On T-Shirt Bra

The Smooth-On T-Shirt Bra is the one I wear when I’m going somewhere and want to look polished, with no weird lumps and bumps under my clothes. It has all the features of the Everyday and Comfort Sculpt bras, including that amazing magnetic closure.

It’s also wireless, but it has slightly padded cups and a larger band to help give you a little lift. I’ve tried a lot of “smoothing” bras that either had too much padding or felt hot and plasticky. This one manages to avoid both problems. There’s also a handy J-hook you can use to convert the back into a “racer back” style, which is great when I’m wearing my favorite dress.

Quick Shopping Tips to Save You Stress

Even if you know exactly what features you want, bra shopping can be tricky. That’s why, even though anyone can buy a bra online these days, lots of older ladies still see fitters.

Here are a few things that have helped me, and a lot of the women I’ve talked to, make better choices:

• Order More Than One Size: If you can swing it, always buy your usual size plus at least one size up. Our bodies fluctuate. If you only order one, chances are it’ll be too tight or too loose, and you’ll be back at square one
• Try It On Later in the Day: Your body tends to be a little puffier by evening, especially if you have arthritis or fluid retention. I always try bras on after dinner so I’m not surprised when they feel tighter later.
• Check the Return Policy Before You Click Buy: Some companies are wonderful about returns. Others act like you’re trying to steal from them if you want to send something back. Make sure you know what the situation is before you add it to the cart.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: I know it feels safer to stick with the style you’ve worn for decades. But it’s worth being a little experimental. Things like magnetic closures might seem weird at first, but they can make your life a lot easier.

One last tip? Don’t feel guilty for prioritizing comfort.

We’ve all been taught to put up with discomfort to look a certain way. If you want to feel good in your own skin, you need a bra that doesn’t make you miserable. It doesn’t mean you’ve given up. It means you’re wise enough to know better.

You Deserve a Bra That Feels Good

I know it probably sounds like I’m running a fan club for Liberare, but honestly, after years of trying different brands, they’re the only ones I’ve found that check all my boxes: soft, supportive, easy to fasten, and not ugly.

But I’m not telling you have to go and stock up on Liberare bras to be comfortable. I’m just saying you should maybe consider changing the way you shop for bras.

The best bras for seniors aren’t always the fanciest or the most expensive. They’re the ones that fit your body today, not the ones you had twenty years ago. They’re the ones you can get on by yourself and feel confident in, whatever the situation.

Here’s to more comfort, less frustration, and bras that finally feel like they were made for you.