Putting On a Bra Can Get More Difficult as We Age—These 12 Front-Closure Styles Are Completely Hassle-Free
Putting on a bra can often feel like solving a Rubik's cube. Usually, you tend to the hook-and-eye closure first, then swivel the whole thing around to hoist your bosom into the pre-molded cups that you hope will fit just right. Once all of that is done, you slither your arms through shoulder-straps that you hopefully have adjusted to the correct length and fit.
All of that choreography is already difficult to execute on a daily basis, but as we age, it only gets more complex. The older we get, the more muscle mass we start to lose. Layer on arthritis, diminished grip strength, and limited flexibility, and the process of putting on a traditional bra can feel like a Herculean feat.
Good news is, it doesn't have to be so difficult. Front-closure bras are the hassle-free solution for seniors (or anyone, tbh) that don't require any extra mobility training to strap into.
Best front-closure bras for seniors, at a glance:
- Most lightweight: Goldies Bra for Seniors Front Closure ($24)
- Best back support: Sora’s Front Closure Embraced Posture Bra ($35)
- Best camisole: Amoena Women's Hannah Post-Surgery Front Close Camisole ($51)
- Best sweat-wicking: AnaOno Bianca Front Closure Sports ($55)
- Best single-clasp: Bali Comfort Revolution Front Close Bra ($22)
- Best for bigger busts: Glamorise MagicLift Front-Closure Support Bra ($36)
- Best bralette: Skims Adaptive Fits Everyone Scoop Bralette (18)
- Best plunging: AnaOno Alison Pocketed Front Closure Bra ($59)
- Best zip-front: Anita Lynn Front-Close Wire-Free Bra ($46)
- Best sports bra: Fruit of the Loom Women's Front Close Racerback Sports Bra ($13)
- Best cooling: Warner's Play It Cool Moisture-Wicking Wireless Racerback Bra ($28)
- Best long-wear: Playtex 18-Hour Front-Close Wire-Free Bra ($39)
What is a front-closure bra?
A front-closure bra is exactly what it sounds like—a bra that swaps the closure on the back to the front. Lead physiotherapist at Brentwood Physiotherapy Calgary, Lalitha Bhowani-McSorley, PT, explains that, “this type of bra is ideal for women who have limited mobility or struggle to reach their back without help." There's no pulling over the arms and head, or straining to reach your back where you can't see—everything can be closed directly in front via a range of closures, like a hook-and-loop closure, zipper, velcro, snap, or single clasp.
What to look for in a front-closure bra
When you’re on the hunt for a front-closure bra, consider fit, support, comfort, and quality. Per McSorely’s recommendations, you want to make sure that the bra you choose supports your breasts, doesn’t put strain on your shoulders, and fits your torso comfortably. Above all else, you want to make sure the bra fits you throughout the entire day.
“It’s best to find a bra company or store that will let you try them, exchange and return them if they aren’t the perfect fit,” says Jon Pundyk, CEO of the lingerie brand, Glamorise.
Benefits of purchasing a front-closure bra
McSorely reiterates that a front-closure bra can be incredibly an incredibly useful addition to your wardrobe if you have stiffness or mobility issues. "The primary benefit of a front-closure bra is that it can be put on without having to reach around your back," she says. "This makes it effortless and comfortable to wear, allowing seniors to maintain their independence and dignity.”
But it's not just for easier movement—the design is often more flattering, too."It also typically creates a silhouette with fewer lines and bumps compared to its back-closure counterpart,” explains Pundyk, adding that smoothing the back out and being compatible with lower necklines (depending on the cut) are perks, too.
Keep scrolling to browse the best easy front-closure bras that put the “ahhh” in bra.
Most lightweight
Available sizes: S-5XL
Goldies Bra for Seniors is a customizable front-closure bra that can be tweaked to add more lift to the breasts, as well as more support in the back for posture-support. Made of cotton, spandex, and nylon, this sturdy but lightweight bra is designed to keep your chest held high without weighing you down. Plus, it comes in a pack of two.
Colors: 4
Pros:
- Multiple rows of front hooks allow for anyone to make the bra more wide, or narrow, depending on their needs
- Stitched side-panels to help keep the breasts centered
- Smooth cups minimize lines
Cons:
- If you have a larger bust, the firm fabric might feel too compressive
- No pockets for inserts
- Full-coverage and hard to hide under some necklines
Best for back support
Available sizes: S-5XL
Sora’s Front Closure Embraced Posture Bra is perfect for older women who want a sweat-wicking bra that is lightweight and offers ample back support. True to its name, it’s perfect for improving posture; the back sports a mesh Y-shape that pulls the shoulders back, encouraging you to stand up taller and improve spinal alignment. With its front-hook closure and hook closures on the straps, anyone who wears this bra can truly make it their perfect fit.
Colors: 3
Pros:
- Substantial under-bust-band for extra support
- Posture-supporting
- Smooth cups minimize lines
Cons:
- Heavy and vest-like
- Limited sizing
Best camisole
Available sizes: 2-0
A camisole front-closure bra provides support throughout the entire torso for whoever wears it. Amoena’s Women’s Hannah Post-Surgery Front- lose Camisole has detailed stitching for the band that separates the breast from the remainder of the torso, then smooths the under-bust down to the hip. It also zips up the front for easy on-and-off. This cotton-rich (82-percent cotton and 18-percent spandex) camisole is technically designed for women who have just undergone breast surgery, so there are thoughtful details incorporated throughout, including pockets for breast forms and padded straps for added comfort.
Colors: 1
Pros:
- Thoughtful, surgery-friendly designs
- Wire-free and comfortable
- Removable, padded shoulder straps
Cons:
- Only available in white
- Snug-fitting
- Full-coverage and hard to hide under some necklines
Best sweat-wicking
Available sizes: XS-XXL
AnaOno’s Bianca Front-Closure Sports Bra is a pocketed front-hook sports bra that is meant to offer incredible support without skimping on comfort. With a T-back design and venting along the upper-front – and entire back, it’s sturdy without being overbearing, as well as breathable in all the right places. Like the Amoena camisole, it’s designed for people who have undergone breast surgery, with pocketed cups to accommodate breast forms or modesty pads as needed.
Colors: 2
Pros:
- Breathable and airy
- Extra fabric paneling to avoid discomfort
- Pockets for breast forms, modesty pads, etc.
Cons:
- Low-cut, which might not offer enough coverage for some
Best single-clasp
Available sizes: 34B-42DD
Not a fan of the hook-and-loop? Bali’s Comfort Revolution Front Close Bra is a great T-shirt bra that clasps in the front with a single clasp, making getting it on and off that much easier. Made of mostly nylon and spandex, it’s stretchy and smooth, providing a secure fit that’s still light and breathable. And the cups are dreamy, too, made from a buttery smooth fabric that provides all-over coverage and no lines, even worn under form-fitting tops.
Colors: 9
Pros:
- Smoothing and sculpting
- Seamless back
- Molded cups add a bit of shape
Cons:
- Limited size range
- Thinner straps
- Contains underwire
Best for bigger busts
Pundyk says that Glamorise’s MagicLift Front-Closure Support Bra is the brand’s “best-selling wireless bra design.” The bra features a front row of hook-and-eye closures with wide and adjustable straps for added comfort. This wireless front0closure bra—made of a polyamide, polyester, elastane blend—comes in band sizes 38 to 58 and cup sizes B through I, making it the best on this list for those who need a larger cup size.
Pros:
- Extremely supportive and size-inclusive
- Adjustable wide straps for a custom and secure fit
- Full-coverage cups prevent spilling
Cons:
- No added back support
- Full-coverage and hard to hide under some necklines
Best bralette
Available sizes: XXS-4XL
Skims is known for their dreamlike undergarments that feel like nothing is there. This adaptive bra is no different. It’s the same, puppy-ear soft fabric as the rest of the brand’s lingerie, only it sports a hook-and-eye front closure that makes dressing even easier. Plus there’s discrete bonding at the closure that actually makes it lay flat against the skin under clothes.
Colors: 7
Pros:
- Soft
- Lightweight
- Discrete bonding at the closure
Cons:
- True bralette/not as supportive as traditional bras
- Runs small
Best plunging
Available sizes: S-XL
Sporting something low-cut? The Melissa bra is here to help. This front-closure bra features a low, deep V in the front that makes it invisible on nights when you’re wearing something a bit more revealing. The lacy racerback is definitely on the sexier side, too. And like all AnaOno bras, it’s designed for those who have had breast surgery, including reconstructions, mastectomies, and reductions. Each Melissa comes with pocketed cups and is eligible for insurance coverage.
Colors: 2
Pros:
- Plunging neckline
- Adjustable racerback
- Sexier than other options
Cons:
- Limited size range
Best zip-front
Available sizes: S-XL
Tired of having to go hook-by-hook to secure your bra? Then try a zip-front bra, like Anita’s Lynn Front-Close Wire-Free Bra. It still offers the convenience of a front-closure bra, but with one pull, you’ll be ready to take on the day.
Colors: 4
Pros:
- Zip-front
- Adjustable straps and removable padding
- Discrete zipper
Cons:
- Limited sizing
- Full-coverage and hard to hide under some necklines
Best sports bra
Available sizes: 34-46
Fruit of the Loom’s Women’s Front Close Racerback Sports Bra is perfect for those who are older that love to move but crave comfort while they do their favorite workout. Featuring a front hook-and-eye closure and vented racerback, this polyester-spandex lined bra is ready to move with you. Best of all, it comes in a pack of two so you can alternate bras between washes and is only $13.
Colors: 5
Pros:
- Comfy
- Breathable and vented
- Wireless
Cons:
- Limited sizing based on ribcage (no cup variety )
- Unadjustable straps
Best cooling
Available sizes: 34A-40C
The Warner’s Play It Cool Moisture-Wicking Wireless Racerback Bra is another McSorley recommendation. With its racerback design, wide band around the ribcage, and the brand’s own “Chill FX” technology woven throughout, this bra is designed to help you stay cool and feel lifted. The straps are adjustable, too, and the cups are slightly molded for shaping and support.
Colors: 3
Pros:
- Adjustable straps
- Single clasp
- Cooling technology
Cons:
- Less coverage
- Limited sizes
Best long-wear
Available sizes: 36B-42DD
Playtex has been a staple in underwear draws for generations, and the Women’s 18-Hour Front-Close Wire-Free bra is no different. With detailed support in the back and shoulders, adjustable straps, and a smooth, wireless design, this front-close bra is a go-to that is meant to stand the test of time (up to 18 hours at a time, to be exact.)
Pros:
- Adjustable, contoured shoulder straps
- 4-way support
- Wireless
Cons:
- Limited sizing
- Full-coverage and hard to hide under some necklines
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