While ageing offers many benefits, such as wisdom, perspective, and knowledge, it may also take from us. You might begin to see physical changes as you accept your 50s, 60s, and 70s, including changes to your complexion, hair, and overall body composition. As such, you might benefit from tailoring your routine to your decade, starting with wardrobe foundations like bras and cosy knickers and working your way up to the best makeup for mature skin.
“As we age, our breasts can lose their elasticity and fullness,” explains Eve Bastug, chief product officer of Kindly, a sustainable clothing company that makes loungewear, bras, and other items. “This can lead to sagging, as well as bulging around the outer breast, towards the armpit.” However, appearances are not everything. Particularly for those who are more active, this type of bulging can be extremely painful. Fortunately, issues with comfort and appearance can both be effectively addressed by a quality bra.
What to consider
Type of bra: You are not limited to just one kind of bra, so don’t worry. Melony Huber, the fashion stylist, founder, and creative director of the ethical lifestyle brand La Peony, states that women desire comfort, particularly for an item like a bra that we wear every day and for the whole of the day. The good news is that there are supportive choices available for mature women in every category, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs and confidence level. These options range from wireless bras and push-up styles to sports bras and bralettes.
Support features: Despite this, it’s still wise to search for features that provide more shaping and support because they will enhance comfort and boost self-assurance. The most support will come from a firm back band; broader side bands can aid with side-smoothing and width; plusher straps give comfort and support for larger breasts. In order to help naturally boost shape, you might also want to seek for bras made of light materials, like spacer foam, advises Bastug.
Size range: Breasts fluctuate widely in size from AA to H, depending on how mature they are. You’re more likely to find something that fits perfectly when you search for bra brands that provide a wide choice of sizes, including plus size.
How we selected
Our knowledgeable editorial team has selected the most reliable supportive bras to help you find that unicorn bra—the one that will provide you with comfort, support, and shape. These women, who are often trying out new brands and designs, are experts at fitting bras, and they can guide us towards the best options for those who want a bit more support and lift. Then, taking into account a variety of factors, including material, size range, bra type, and support features, we assessed each of these models. In the end, we’re sure that these 12 bras are the greatest for older ladies seeking support, comfort, and elegance.
1. Honey love V-Neck Wireless Shaping Bra
Although you might believe that an underwire is necessary, Honeylove’s unique support system provides all the lift without causing any discomfort. The back-smoothing design and side-shaping panels prevent bulging, but you won’t get a full push-up effect. Although the straps are wide for comfort and increased support, they are not adjustable. “Wherever your day takes you, you’ll feel confident and supported,” says Sara Klausing, fashion editor of Oprah Daily. “I suggest this bra to everyone. It creates the ideal framework for apparel. It’s lightweight but provides complete covering without giving off an odd, clunky silhouette.”
| Type | Wireless V-neck |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide straps, removable padding, bonded cradle |
| Size range | XS – 3X |
2. Chantelle Lingerie Norah Comfort Underwire Bra
There’s more to this seamless bra than just a lovely lace pattern. It also includes an underwire for lift and supportive, well-sized cups. Reviewers laud its lightweight design and point out that it’s a great option for the summer. The sides and back of the buttery-soft cloth blend together. We adore that it has a more appealing appearance than some other full-coverage alternatives available and is available in a wider variety of sizes and colours.
| Type | Underwire |
|---|---|
| Support features | Firm back, underwire |
| Size range | 30B – 42I |
3. Wacoal Simone High-Impact Underwire Sports Bra
Our main concerns when discussing sports bras are serious covering and support. Indeed, this Amazon discovery provides a secure fit. Stretching or trekking, your ladies will stay put thanks to the wide shoulder straps and sturdy underwire that won’t prick or prod. Its ability to wick away sweat is especially useful for your warmest days and most intense workouts. Not to mention, the straps may be worn crossed in the back, making them convertible.
| Type | Sports |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide straps, wide and firm back, wide sides, full coverage front, underwire |
| Size range | 32D – 40I |
4. Maidenform One Fab Fit Underwire Bra
Purchasing a high-quality bra that provides comfort and support doesn’t have to break the bank. This Maidenform model is reasonably priced, so you won’t hesitate to buy it. Made of incredibly soft microfiber and lightly lined for shape, it is almost undetectable beneath T-shirts. For further versatility, the straps can be easily adjusted from a typical straight to a crisscrossed shape. This bra is available in an extended range of sizes and six different colours.
| Type | Underwire |
|---|---|
| Support features | Convertible straps, wide side band, firm hook-and-eye back closure |
| Size range | 34B – 42DD |
5. Playtex 18-Hour Ultimate Lift & Support Wireless Bra
It’s understandable why this best-selling bra has received over 50,000 five-star reviews. Its sturdy frame, full cups, side and back support, and no-dig cushioned straps offer enough covering, especially for people with larger busts. Moreover, since it’s wireless, you won’t ever feel any prodding. You won’t believe how great this bra performs for the price. The primary conclusions? It is comfortable, fits well, doesn’t need to be readjusted all the time, and is washable.
| Type | Wireless |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide side band, firm back, full cups, no-dig cushioned straps |
| Size range | 34C – 54DDD |
6. Knix Revolution V-Neck Bra with Wide Straps
Our crew has thoroughly tested this full-coverage Knix bra as well. Although you might not be able to use this bra with every kind of top, we adore it for the support it provides throughout. It doesn’t seem constrictive at all, even though the sides, back, and straps are all quite roomy for support and smoothing. The buttery soft fabric is mostly to blame for this. Detachable cushioning adds no bulk while maintaining its natural shape.
| Type | V-neck |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide sides, wide and firm back, full-coverage cups |
| Size range | 32A – 42F |
7. Spanx Bra-Llelujah! Lightly Lined Full-Coverage Bra
This elegant bra features a clever lifting mechanism that helps provide shape and cleavage without causing discomfort, as one might anticipate from a company like Spanx. Extremely soft cups contour your sides and back (exactly like the store’s well-known shapewear), and the broad, adjustable cushion straps won’t chafe your skin. What about sensitive hands or arthritis? This one has an easy clasp directly in the front for people who are unable to reach around behind to struggle with a hook-and-eye fastening.
| Type | Full-coverage underwire |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide back band, wide straps, wide side band, underwire |
| Size range | 32A – 40DD |
8. Natori Avail Full-Figure Convertible Contour Underwire Bra
There’s much more to Natori’s full-coverage bra than just a flirtatious feminine look. Moreover, the scalloped lace is knit tightly to provide extra containment and control. An underwire and supportive stretch foam pads provide just the right amount of lift for a sagging chest. Users adore that this bra fits their comfort needs and has a lovely mesh overlay that adds just enough style to have you seek for it right away most days.
| Type | Underwire |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide center front, wide straps, underwire, firm back |
| Size range | 30D – 40H |
9. Forme Posture-Correcting Power Bra
The FDA-registered Forme Power Bra’s unique design, created by an orthopaedic specialist, stimulates and supports important muscle groups for ideal upper body alignment. Although it lacks lining and padding, layers of tension fabrics offer medium-to-full coverage. After wearing this bra for a while, you won’t be able to wear any other bra for performance, recovery, or daily usage. “The price is high, but you will notice an instant improvement,” says Klausing, a devoted user of this bra. “I feel supported and strong from the moment I put this on in the morning.”
10. Evelyn & Bobbie Starlette Plunge Bra
We tested this bra for over a month because we had heard nothing but positive things about it. Its incredibly smooth fabric impressed wearers, who noted that it is thick and slightly compressive without being constrictive, and that it is essentially imperceptible beneath a favourite top or daily T-shirt. Thanks to a unique technology that provides lift and support without the need for underwire, there’s no underwire to worry about. Hot flashes won’t stand a chance thanks to the bra’s moisture-wicking capabilities, which help keep you feeling cooler and more comfortable throughout the day.
| Type | Plunge |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide and adjustable straps, firm and smoothing back |
| Size range | XS – 3XL |
11. Soma Enbliss Wireless Lift Bralette
For good reason, Soma bras are a best-seller among ladies of all ages because they are renowned for being soft and comfy. It’s silky and elastic, without any wires or moulded cups, and comes in a variety of colours. Its tight bottom band provides greater support than the typical bralette. Wide straps that work wonders to raise and support are also included, and detachable cups offer complete covering without being too cumbersome.
| Type | Bralette |
|---|---|
| Support features | Wide side band, firm back, wide straps, full-coverage cups |
| Size range | S – XXXL |
12. Victoria’s Secret Perfect Shape Push-Up Lace-Trim Bra
This bra, like others from VS, raises the chest to add a hint of cleavage. What is the main distinction? This version supports and smoothes larger busts with full-coverage cups made of soft memory foam. Because of a novel design that the company claims sits up to 20% flatter against the chest than previous push-up bras, this one is also practically unnoticeable under T-shirts. The cherry on top is the lovely lace style, which comes in a plethora of hues and designs.
| Type | Push-up |
|---|---|
| Support features | Full-coverage cups, underwire |
| Size range | 30A – 42G |
