Gransnet forums

Chat

Underwear

(53 Posts)
Tooyoungytobeagrandma Tue 26-May-26 13:51:56

Hi I'm a late 60s lady who loves strappy dresses and now we have the weather to wear them. I am looking for recommendations for a strapless supportive (38DD) bra that is easy to get on with arthritic fingers. I've seen lots of online adds for bras but don't know anyone to ask if they are as good as they make out. I currently wear an M&S multiway but have just purchased same one in same size and cannot even do it up!! Any help folks 😊

Farmor15 Tue 26-May-26 14:08:02

I suspect that the combination of features you're looking for may not be available. Strapless bras tend not to be very supportive, unless they're the corset type with boning and lots of hooks!
I'd just wear a normal bra, in a colour to match the dress you're wearing. Straps showing are pretty normal these days- look at younger women.

Samsara1 Tue 26-May-26 14:17:15

I have worn M and S bras since I was 13 which is a very long time but no more the quality has gone. I am finding John Lewis better quality and wash well.

Scribbles Tue 26-May-26 14:32:49

In this heat, why would you wear a bra? All that elastic and/or wires is so wretchedly uncomfortable and the heat just makes it worse.

Tooyoungytobeagrandma Tue 26-May-26 14:51:32

Scribbles

In this heat, why would you wear a bra? All that elastic and/or wires is so wretchedly uncomfortable and the heat just makes it worse.

Because some of my dresses look better with my boobs "in place" than travelling southward. I'm lucky that they are still a reasonable shape and more or less where they need to be, but some of my lighter dresses really do look and fit better with a bra. The ones I've been wearing are ok, boned and "comfortable" but for some reason M&S have made them slightly shorter in the back so no longer fit but the next size up (40) is too big. It's not that the one I'm currently wearing has stretched with wear as it is only the second time I've worn this black one. If I can get away without a bra believe me I do, and as for showing the straps sorry but that's not a "look" for me. Was just hoping someone had actually found a reasonably comfortable, easy to get on strapless bra with some support 🫤

Scribbles Tue 26-May-26 15:08:25

Ohh, I do agree about visible bra straps. Horrible! The sight makes me cringe. I have one ancient M&S multiway - at least 10 years old blush - which comes out on the rare occasion when I absolutely have to wear a bra and I lengthen the back with one of those little elastic Extenders which (I think) came via Amazon.

Gran22boys Tue 26-May-26 15:30:33

Try a sports bra or one that is stretchy and just pulls on over your head. Really comfortable.

M0nica Tue 26-May-26 16:16:30

Scribbles

In this heat, why would you wear a bra? All that elastic and/or wires is so wretchedly uncomfortable and the heat just makes it worse.

Why do you wear uncomfortable bras. I wear all kinds of bras but an uncomfortable one would only be worn once. Admittedly I am modestly endowed \9b cup), but I have no ida whether the one I am wearing has wires or not, unless I have a dig around to find out - no, it isn't.

Autumncolours Tue 26-May-26 16:55:26

Have you tried the bra extenders? I have a pack from M&S - not expensive and they work well. That way you can wear the bra that’s too short to meet up at the back.

Nandalot Tue 26-May-26 16:59:46

I once had a bra with clear, narrow plastic straps. Would that still be too much on show for you?

Ilovecheese Tue 26-May-26 17:26:53

Go to Bravissimo if you can. Ifnot they have a virtual fiting service and a selection of strapless bras.

welbeck Tue 26-May-26 19:25:12

Boob tube.
Or roll on shapewear

Cossy Tue 26-May-26 19:56:40

I saw a strapless on online, it was a bit like those old tops from the 80’s (cannot remember what they’re called?)

So just a band of stretchy material with a bit of support, nowhere near as good as a ā€œproperā€ bra, but better than none!

Scribbles Tue 26-May-26 20:15:05

M0nica, after 50 plus years of trying all kinds and sorts of bras - wired, unwired, longline, front fastening, back fastening, pull-on, bralet, balcony, push up, t-shirt and more - I came to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a comfortable bra, at least as far as I'm concerned.
I've been measured in specialist shops and spent outrageous sums of money; I've bought 2 for 1 offers off the shelf in supermarkets; I've bought strapless, wide straps and narrow straps and inevitably been at war with my clothing.
A few years ago, it dawned on me that, although our mothers harness us into these horrible garments as adolescents, there is no actual law that says we have to wear them forever. Into the bin went all the bras and life has been brighter since then. My moderate 40C doesn't seem to be heading south any faster than previously and, tbh, I don't much care if it does.
I'm happy that you're happy in your underwear - as, presumably, are millions of others or bras wouldn't sell so well! They're just not for me and I wish I'd realised that sooner.

Quizzer Wed 27-May-26 13:38:23

M&S sizes are no longer reliable. I bought two colours in the same style. One fitted, one was 4cm smaller 😰

Fallingstar Wed 27-May-26 13:45:20

I couldn’t go without a bra, my boobs would just hang, not a nice look, but don’t wear strapless dresses or any dresses tbh so isn’t a problem. Shorts and tee all day long for me. But I do agree that this trend of showing a bra when wearing strappy clothes or vest tops is not great, just as young men letting their trousers fall down in order to show their under crackers is not great.

RobertaDanversWalker Wed 27-May-26 13:46:21

Check out Bravissimo. They have a website if you are not near a store. I buy from them exclusively now. (34GG).

poppysmum Wed 27-May-26 13:52:30

i tend to wear sports bras as due to quite a few conditions I struggle to dress. I would ask my husband but his sight is going so I have no hope of him doing up hooks for me!
anyway i would have been worried years ago about my boobs drooping but now I have far bigger problems to deal with.
I would be interested in a decent bra for my niece's wedding it would be nice to have my chest under control and looking perky that day. trouble is I am 40EE or 40F

Harvey2009 Wed 27-May-26 14:00:21

I highly recommend Celeste D’or Curve, it’s online only but they have an amazing customer service too. Not the cheapest and does take a week or so for delivery but so worth the wait. I have 5 bras and have just ordered their strapless one 😊

Ninat474 Wed 27-May-26 14:01:50

Get fitted, Bravissimo are good. They also have a very helpful service for those not near a shop. John Lewis also helpful. Personally don’t think bras are uncomfortable is they fit properly.

Dearknees1 Wed 27-May-26 14:02:34

Same size as you. I got a soft white ā€˜boob tube’ from Sainsburys which I find both comfortable and sufficiently supportive.

kircubbin2000 Wed 27-May-26 14:12:11

I had to wear a bra yesterday as I was going to the dentist.Couldnt get it off and ended up having to slip it off over my feet. I seem to have lost all my shoulder mobility.

maxmyers Wed 27-May-26 14:30:57

I couldn’t go without a bra, but agree with Scribbles that I’ve never found a truly comfy one, irrespective of cost or having a personal fitting - which I’ve found quite scary. My boobs are very different sizes- a cup different, so it’s very hard to get one to fit. I have to go with the bigger one and get 36 DD but then there’s excess material on the smaller side. Years ago I had a body thing that I could wear without straps but I never felt very confident in it. Interestingly, DS2’s partner who is quite well endowed says she can’t find a comfy bra, so it’s a problem for all generations. I’ve noticed that she doesn’t bother wearing one if she’s just in the house, but I would be too self conscious to do that, even if just me and DH - don’t know why.

Kitty55 Wed 27-May-26 14:36:57

Scribbles, a 38 DD needs some kind of support to stoppin from floppin

knspol Wed 27-May-26 14:37:11

I don't understand how so many people find wearing a bra uncomfortable. I always wear a bra, only from M&S so medium price and can't say I have ever found their's uncomfy. Occasionally with a new style I may overspill or whatever so don't wear that one again.
The only uncomfortable one I ever had was when I went elsewhere to be measured and bought 2 very expensive ones, the cups fitted exactly but once home realised the bands were way too tight and left marks so went back to buying M&S.