Bras and my body over 66

Sports bras are comfortable

Skydancer

Gentleshores I'm the same. I have hardly put on any weight over the years and yet my old bras are now too tight, as are a couple of dresses. I can only think it's because I am no longer toned and instead am saggy. Even my feet have got bigger! In the last 10 years I have gone up a shoe size... and yet, as I said, I weigh about the same as when I was in my 40s.

I think it's sagginess with me too ha ha. Maybe the fat slipped down (sorry if that's a bit graphic!). Once I found one the right size and shape though, all the saggy bits were inside the bra rather than outside of it! This whole experience has made me look up " core exercises" to see if I can tone my torso without hurting my knees!

So many helpful posts and glad I'm not the only one! To the couple of ladies who said they don't bother to wear a bra - I would love to do that! And I often used to not wear a bra. The issue came when they got a bit bigger and were uncomfortably heavy - I just felt I needed some support.

I did get sorted. I can't get out easily so sent for a lot online - parcels everywhere and loads of tedious returns to sort out. But the key was finding the right size - and having a band size that was comfortable. 38B is just right for me and I got two bras I am happy with and are comfortable. One was the And/Or multiway bra from John Lewis. The other was this M&S bra which I've now bought in both colours - it's a nice shape when on, supportive and comfortable. If you get the size right!

The link to the Guardian article was fascinating!

www.marksandspencer.com/silk-and-lace-wired-balcony-bra-a-e-/p/clp60638354

I agree with Bravissimo and Rigby and Peller. I’ve only been into Rigby & Peller a couple of times, I’ve been measures and bought bras that make a huge difference to your body shape. I’ve then bought the same style and size bra on EBay when I’ve been lucky. Lately I’ve ordered bras from Bravissimo.

Does anyone else find that heir skin has got thinner with age and that everything, even crop tops, irritate their skin? I almost can’t bear anything touching my skin unless it’s loose fitting and cotton.

I have been measured and fitted at Rigby and Peller, John Lewis, Bravissimo and Marks. And I have bought bras in many shops and online. And each time I have come away with at least one bra. None of them has been comfortable. I have resigned myself to never wearing a bra that gets taken off the minute I get home!

The best bra is NO BRA! I have not worn one at all since I retired 3.5 yrs ago. You can get away with it by wearing a supporting or silky camisole - if you are built small. I am C cup and only do cammies.
FREEDOM!

I know what you mean. I’ve worn Triumph Amourette bras for years. I had a massive clothes clear out recently and lovely dresses that fitted perfectly no longer fit. My shape is definitely very different now!!

Result: if strictly necessary I can wear the conventional one eg to intimidate jurors in a court proceeding but I'm far happier going back to my cosy, if lumpy, shape.

I so agree with this. I moved over to crop top bras a few years ago and found them so comfy that I now only wear a wired bra when dressed up (which isn't very often these days).

I've been looking for better bras lately. Comfortable, and to give me a better line than the bralettes I wear in the house.
Bon Marche have a good selection at reasonable prices.
I bought one and it's perfect.

I’ve never had a comfortable bra in my life. Recently I’ve changed shape and need new ones. I can’t tell if a new bra fits until I’ve worn it (as with shoes) and then it’s too late to return it. I currently have 6 worn-once bras, all bought on line because I can’t get to M&S to try before I buy. I HATE the damn things!

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/06/womens-breasts-laura-dodsworth-photography

I remember this from years ago.
She did make the book.

gentleshores I hope you can see this still. A good fitting bra is always a fraught mission of many women. I know there are many recommendations for you to go get fitted properly, which would be good - if you cannot figure this out on your own.

I’ve lived through many physical changes in my body, including breast cancer. I found my ultimate bra in the end - realizing that there were long held beliefs I had to let go of. Here’s what you need to know:

• Boobs come in many shapes and they change naturally as you age
• Each manufacturer cuts and creates for a certain shape
• Be open minded to a different size AND manufacturer
• Be prepared to spend more for comfort
• Inexpensive bras are a waste of money
• You only need two to interchange for starters, and you will always buy the same

If you do not want to have a professional fit you (it does NOT cost more!) then you need to get out of the house and spend several hours in the lingerie dept. of a really good store and try on many bras on your own…. In which case you will wish you had that person to help you.

There is a bra and a certain line that will be your answer. Good luck! I found my ultimate bra in the Wacoal line.

So have mine apparently NotSpaghetti. That bra had a huge job in hoisting them up!

I wish my breasts could be yanked up enough to grace the prow of a ship

That would be a true joy for me.
Even with the very best "lifting" undergarments my breasts are resolutely not so intimidating!

They dropped anchor years ago.

Well, having read this thread, I decided to research the matter. At the same time as I bought my first crop top bra I also bought an exactly fitting conventional bra from M&S. I kept it for some reason but really found the crop top one so comfortable that I only wore those for the past few years. Today I dug out the conventional one and tried it on. It fitted well but wasn't very comfortable. On looking at my silhouette in the mirror I got a shock! The girls were yanked up so high and far out that I could easily grace the prow of a ship. What a stately vision I was! I happily changed back into a crop top one and resumed my homely, happily unthreatening shape.
Result: if strictly necessary I can wear the conventional one eg to intimidate jurors in a court proceeding but I'm far happier going back to my cosy, if lumpy, shape.

Gentleshores I'm the same. I have hardly put on any weight over the years and yet my old bras are now too tight, as are a couple of dresses. I can only think it's because I am no longer toned and instead am saggy. Even my feet have got bigger! In the last 10 years I have gone up a shoe size... and yet, as I said, I weigh about the same as when I was in my 40s.

I'd been wearing the wrong cup size for years, it was heaven when Bravissimo sorted me out.

Bravissimo also recommended a lower band size to 32DD but as Leapyearnan mentions, way too tight for comfort, plus it squished the fatty bits out over the elastic!
She upped it to a 34D, perfect.

An assistant at M&S recently advised me that balcony bras are better fitting than plunge bras for those who have had children for example, less gapping.
(I think she was referring to me as being older generation but trying to put it nicely)

Good point re health oodles

When you first get a bra the elastic is tight so you put it on the end fastening, as you wear it over time the elastic isn't so tight,you gradually tighten it up
Different shapes breasts make a difference to what is a good fit, were all different and what in theory should fit comfortably doesn't always, we all have different amounts of breast tissue extending up into the armpit.
Different band sizes mean that the cup sizes are different. Often a woman will feel more comfortable in a smaller band size and a larger cup size as thee band size before had been bigger because all the breast tissue wasn't in the cups. If underwires then the wires in the middle should sit against your chest wall . Once I discovered this the number of times the wire burst out in the washer plummeted. Not had one come out since I got properly fitted. Once it does come out even if you sew it back 🔙 n it is likely to come.oitvagain, so the bra doesn't last as long,so I don't need to buy new ones as often, so dearer bras properly fitted for me do not cost more over time, because I need fewer they may even be cheaper than cheapo ill fitting ones.
Bravissimo or Rigby and Pellet, go in sale time for R and P, once you have a good fit and know what size and what make work well for you you can order again in the sales. You may not get the latest colours etc but I've never had a bad colour
There is a website called boob or bust that helps women find a well fitting bra, with careful measuring, and making sure that breast tissue actually goes into the cup
Pay attention to sudden changes in sizing, my mum started complaining she was outgrowing her bras, and actually her knickers and trousers ( in her 90s) despite not eating more, it was oedema for heart failure. Once that got under control she lost the extra water. There could be other things that affect you so worth keeping an eye on

As long as not M&S worst fitting bra ever, absolutely useless most uncomfortable bra I’ve ever had … returned!!
Pathetic service 🙄

Try bras by Snag ( online only)or Glamorise on Amazon, both made for mature women

Coolgran65
I agree with you 100pct about FANTASIE bras and you can get them relatively cheap online. I wear a 40DD and they are so comfortable. M&S I find uncomfortable and to find my size anywhere else is virtually impossible anyway

Visit a lingerie shop and be properly measured and fitted

Please go and get fitted properly by a trained fitter. Triumph train their staff really well. I worked in lingerie and it’s amazing how many women wear the wrong size. And they expect a bra to last for years! They don’t. Hand washing is best to help them last longer but, if you’re wearing a bra a couple of days, wash and repeating, it’s months not years if you want them to retain the correct fit. And buy a decent make not cheap.