Lingerie Guide for Older Women

Are you unsure about what lingerie styles suit you best? As we get older and our bodies and lifestyles change, so do our choices of clothing items. Lingerie can be the one that gets the most intimidating as we get older.

Here Are Our Top 7 Lingerie Items for Older Women:

1. Ultra Light Bali style – This bra has adjustable, convertible straps, breathable lightweight underwire cups with sheer details, full coverage, and a double back hook-and-eye closure. Features like Comfort-U Design and 2-ply back provide stay-in-place comfort and a smooth look.
2. ENBLISS Bralette – This exclusive bralette is exceptionally soft and supportive and allows you to customize your shape with removable cups, providing modesty or a natural look as desired.
3. STUNNING STARLET Multi-Way Strapless Bra – This bra offers versatile wear with removable, convertible straps for five styles: traditional, strapless, halter, crisscross back, and one shoulder.
4. VANITY FAIR Perfectly Yours Ravissant Nylon Full Brief – This brief offers reliable full coverage with comfortable elastic around the legs and a smooth covered elastic waistband for a perfect fit. 
5. BALI Light Tummy-Control Lace Support 2pk Brief – This brief offers light shaping and control, with pretty floral lace on the tummy panel, lining at the gusset, and smooth sides and back for an overall sleek look under clothes.
6. VANISHING EDGE Microfiber Cheeky Hipster – With a cheeky back that stays in place, it’s versatile for any outfit, from party dresses to work attire. Featuring Vanishing Edge® technology, it ensures no ride, no roll, and no show, with silicone at the leg openings. The panty has a medium rise, soft elastic waistband, and is tag-free with a breathable 100% cotton gusset lining.
7. B.TEMPT’D BY WACOAL Lace Kiss Lingerie Chemise Nightgown – This stylish and easy-to-wear chemise is perfect for layering under a dress or creating a sexy look. The stretchy all-over lace body and double lace stretch straps add a touch of sophistication and femininity. 

Read on to discover many more recommended lingerie options throughout the article. You will also find sizing tips and lingerie trends.

My Professional Days

As a fashion designer, I designed collections for major retailers for many years in Canada, and I specialized in lingerie over the course of my career. I truly enjoyed choosing fabrics and trims, creating color combos, and designing collections that women loved to wear. Although I am no longer a fashion designer, I still have the guilty pleasure of enjoying lingerie (a lot)!

I always feel confident when I know I’m wearing something special under my clothes – something that is comfortable, that doesn’t dig into my skin, and that provides a nice silhouette under my clothes.

As I got older, I noticed that my personal taste in clothing changed. That included my choice of lingerie pieces as well. Was it because my body was changing? Was it because my lifestyle was also changing? I think it’s a combination of factors that make us choose different styles, fabrics, and cuts as we get older.

I can remember the days in the 80s and 90s of the past century when I swore by thong and string panties and wore practically nothing else. Today, my lingerie collection has zero thongs, zero string undies. Not a single one.

Not that there is anything wrong with wearing thongs as we mature, but personally, I look for more comfortable undies that don’t dig in or leave marks. But, by no means does this mean that my lingerie is frumpy and old school. There are plenty of lacy, sexy, and comfortable lingerie out there for us sexy and confident mature women.

NOTE: I know most of the models in the photos below don’t represent our community. These photos are taken from the retailers’ websites. Obviously, there’s still some work to be done in the fashion industry in regards to ageism.

What to Look for in Lingerie for Older Women

Fabrics

Natural and organic fibers are always a good idea when it comes to choosing underwear. Natural fabrics breathe better and have natural wicking features that keep skin dryer.

Microfiber is also a comfortable fabric that tends to retain less moisture and dry faster than cotton. This can be a suitable choice for you if you live in a climate with high humidity. 

Read 5 ORGANIC COTTON BRAS FOR WOMEN OVER 50.

Also read 8 ORGANIC COTTON PANTIES FOR WOMEN OVER 50.

Styling

A well-styled bra or panty will generally fit better. The cups will be well-formed without putting pressure on the chest area and elastics will be soft but firm. Hardware like rings and sliders are better when made of lead-free metal rather than plastic.

Sizing

Did you know that you are probably wearing the wrong size bra? Studies show that up to eight women out of ten are not fitted with the proper bra size.

Keep reading to find out how to find your ideal bra size and ensure that the one you’ve got on is giving you the right kind of support.

Care

Look at care labels and make sure that you will be able to provide the necessary washing and drying instructions. Lace typically has to be hand washed, and if you live a busy life or simply don’t want to hand wash, maybe that shouldn’t be your first choice.

Bras for Older Women

When it comes to bras, the options are diverse, and your decision will lay on factors like your lifestyle, budget, and specific needs.

Types of Bras

Underwire Bras

Underwire bras like this Ultra Light Bali style provide the most support. The wires should comfortably sit under the arm area behind the breast. The wires should not poke nor hurt.

Wireless Bras

Wireless bras such as Playtex Secrets are more comfortable than wired bras. Because they are not as supportive as wired bras, they should be well constructed to provide adequate support.

T-shirt Bras

T-shirt bras are made with molded cups and don’t have any seams. They are often made of cotton and provide a sleek look under clothing. Personally, these have been my everyday bras for years. They can be designed with or without underwires.

Demi Bras

As the name suggests, demi bras don’t cover the entire breast. They are not recommended for the fuller ladies as they don’t provide enough support and may cause the breasts to spill out. However, they are perfect for smaller chested women.

Bralettes

Bralettes such as the ENBLISS have become popular in the past years and are not solely for the younger women to wear. They are pulled over the head and generally don’t have wires or hard parts like metal closures. They are considered minimal support bras and are great to sleep in (but a little difficult to get in and out of.)

Specialty Bras

Some bras are designed for specific purposes.

Sports Bras

As the name suggests, sports bras are made to keep you supported while doing physical activities. They provide the maximum support to keep the girls from moving too much while you are being active.

Push-Up/Padded Bras

In other fashion articles I have written for Sixty and Me some of you have shared that you have lost a significant amount of breast size. Push-up bras and padded bras can provide the little extra oomph you need.

Front-Fastening Bras

Front-fastening bras like this Playtex model are a godsend for women with arthritis or problems with their wrists or shoulders.

Minimizing Bras

For those with large bosoms, minimizing bras can help create a nice silhouette.

Racer Back Bras

Racer bras are bras that are crossed at the back and very handy when wearing sleeveless tops that have a racer back. Many of these bras often have transformable straps for more versatility.

Strapless Bras

Strapless bras like this one from Soma are great for the times when your top or dress reveals the shoulder area.

For a few more examples of bras for older women read this article 10 BEST BRA OPTIONS FOR OLDER WOMEN.

Bra Tips and Tricks

Support in the Band

The part of the bra that provides the most support is the band and not the straps. It’s important that you get the proper size so the band is well fitted.

Right Size

Bras usually come with 3 sizes of closure options. Your new bra should fit at the middle hook. You may have to move one size over as your bra gets older.

Annual Fitting

Our bodies are constantly changing which means we may need to change our bra size several times throughout our lives. It’s better to embrace change than to wear a wrong-fitting bra.

Here are a few suggestions for finding the right bra size for your body:

• You can go to stores specializing in lingerie to get a professional fitting. They will take the necessary measurements and suggest the best size and styles for you.
• You can also measure yourself with a measuring tape at home. First measure around under your bust for your band size. Then measure around and across your nipples for your cup size.  Subtract the difference between these two measurements to find your bra size. Here’s an example: if your bust measures 37” and your under-bust measures 34” you’ll need a 34C (37 minus 34 equals 3 and that number corresponds to a C cup).
• Some online retailers have technicians standing by to help you find the right bra. Open a chat box and get the advice you need.

You can also visit this online retailer, Understance, which has a comprehensive bra size calculator with videos to walk you through the sizing process. Let us know in the comments section below if you have been wearing the right size or the wrong size bra.

Support

It’s time to change your bra when it doesn’t support you as much as before. All bras lose their elasticity and support features as they get older and go through the many, many washes. You will notice that a well-styled bra that is made of quality fabric (and more expensive) will last longer than a cheaper bra made with lesser quality fabric and construction materials.

How do you know if your bra is still supporting you properly? Simple – test the fit of your bra by dropping down the straps from your shoulders to see how much support the band and the cups are still providing your breasts.

If everything gets exposed and goes south, it’s time to get a new bra that has better support. If everything stays mostly in place it means that the shoulder straps are not the support system for your bra – which is a good thing!

Health Issues

Look for front-fastening bras if your mobility is compromised by arthritis or other issues with your hands or shoulders.

Read 10 BEST FRONT-CLOSURE BRAS FOR OLDER WOMEN.

Panties for Mature Women

All panty styles can be made of cotton, lace, nylon, spandex mixes, polyester, bamboo, lyocell etc. and come in solid colors or in various prints.

Types of Panties

The names we call the types of panties (undies or knickers in the UK) vary from country to country. This is a basic list of types that you will find (with North American lingo.)

Classic Brief

Briefs are panties that provide the most coverage of all the panty types. Classic briefs, which are sometimes called granny panties, sit very high on the waist and provide full coverage at the back.

High Cut Brief

The high cut brief is designed with a larger leg opening. These can be more comfortable to wear for some women while still providing adequate coverage at the back. High cut briefs offer a more revealing look, showing more leg.

Control Brief

As the name suggests, control briefs offer a front or back control panel to offer a trimming look to the tummy and buttocks.

Hipster

The hipster panty style like the VANISHING EDGE Microfiber Cheeky Hipster offers a good amount of coverage but sits lower on the waist.

Bikini

Bikini panties resemble the hipsters but are designed with less side coverage. They still offer coverage at the back but reveal more leg.

Boy Shorts

Boy shorts resemble men’s boxer briefs and sit low on the waist while covering most of the back area.

Thong/Tanga/G-String

These panties offer no buttock coverage and are good to wear under garments that are form fitting. Thongs are the go-to panties if you don’t want any revealing panty lines. But they can be uncomfortable for many women.

Seamless Panties

Seamless panties are usually made of a specialty fabric that is laser-cut and molded with the least seams. Typically, these styles offer a cotton crotch. They are great for minimizing the look of panty lines and are often used when doing sports.

Panty Tips

Comfort

Your panties should first and foremost be comfortable. The style is completely up to you and will probably change as you get older. What was comfortable when we were 22 is probably not comfortable when we are 65. Heck what was comfortable at 55 may not be comfortable at 65. You should not “feel” your panties as you go about your day.

Fabric

The fabric should breathe, absorb, and wick moisture. Cotton and natural fibers like bamboo, for example, are good choices. If you do opt for lace panties or man-made fabrics make sure that the crotch area is made of cotton and that it is big enough.

Fit

Your panties should fit properly and not dig into your waist or thighs. This can cause them to reveal panty lines under your clothes. Not very elegant! Remember to change your panty size as your body changes over the years.

Seams

Panties with fewer seams look better under clothes. Look for laser cut or seamless panties for the best look.

HINT: White panties or bras are not the best underwear to wear under white clothing. Many women make this mistake. Choose nude (or flesh) colored underwear. Some brands offer them in a variety of shades to match various skin tones.

Special Occasions Lingerie for Older Women

Now for the sexy lingerie! Do you wear sexy lingerie because it boosts your confidence? Do you enjoy wearing it to feel sexy with your partner? Either way, it’s always good to have a few pieces of lingerie that are made for those special occasions – lacey, frilly, transparent, and OO-LA-LA!

Babydolls

Babydolls typically have a bra-like top part with a flowy bottom part that covers the hip area.

Teddies

Teddies (or bodysuits) like this one are a one-piece lingerie item that is often made with lace or sheer fabrics. These styles can be flattering and make you look taller.

Slips/Chemise

Silk, satin, or lace slips are very comfortable and are easy to wear.

Lingerie Accessories That Make a Difference

Sometimes it’s the smallest additions that make the biggest difference in comfort, fit, and how your lingerie works under clothing. If you’ve ever struggled with slipping straps, tight bands, or bras that just don’t sit right under a specific outfit, lingerie accessories can save the day. Here are a few simple tools that can upgrade your lingerie experience:

Bra Extenders

If your band feels too tight but the cups fit well, a bra extender can give you just enough breathing room. They hook right onto your existing bra clasps and are especially helpful if you’re between sizes, experiencing bloating, or recovering from surgery.

SAMGU Women’s Bra Extenders 2 Hook / 3 Hook / 4 Hook / 5 Hook / 6 Hook

Silicone Strap Cushions

Tired of your bra straps digging into your shoulders? These soft pads slide onto your straps and distribute pressure more evenly. They’re especially useful for women with heavier busts or sensitive skin.

12 pieces bra strap holders for slipping silicone rubber bra strap cushion keep bra straps from slipping

Double-Sided Fashion Tape

Ideal for keeping your bra or camisole in place under plunging necklines or wide-set tops. It’s also handy for smoothing any gaping in button-down shirts and keeping straps from shifting.

Fearless Tape – Double Sided Tape

Laundry Bags for Delicates

A mesh laundry bag helps protect your bras and panties from stretching or tearing in the wash. Toss them in the bag, zip it up, and your machine-washed items will last much longer—just skip the dryer.

GOGOODA 7Pcs Mesh Laundry Bags for Delicates with Premium Zipper

Nipple Covers and Inserts

If you wear unlined or sheer bras and want extra coverage, reusable silicone nipple covers provide a smooth, discreet layer. Foam or gel inserts can also give a subtle lift or balance uneven breast sizes.

Nippies Nipple Covers

Strap Converters

Planning to wear a racerback tank or halter dress? A strap converter pulls your bra straps together in the back and keeps them hidden. Many convertible bras come with one, but you can also buy them separately.

Bra Strap Clips

These small but mighty tools can extend the life of your favorite lingerie and help you feel more comfortable in your clothes.

Lingerie for Different Occasions

Choosing the right lingerie for different occasions can make a significant difference in comfort, support, and overall confidence. 

Daily Wear

• T-Shirt Bras: Ideal for daily wear, T-shirt bras provide a smooth silhouette under clothing. Look for styles with seamless cups and soft, breathable fabrics. 
• Full Briefs: For all-day comfort, choose full briefs. These provide ample coverage and stay in place without digging into your skin.

Special Occasions

• Lace Bras and Panties: For special occasions, opt for lace bras and panties that add a touch of elegance and sensuality. 

Activewear

• High-Impact Sports Bras: For high-intensity workouts, choose sports bras that offer maximum support. These bras minimize movement and provide comfort during vigorous activities.
• Medium and Low-Impact Bras: For activities like yoga or walking, opt for medium or low-impact sports bras. Look for features like moisture-wicking fabrics and wide, adjustable straps for added comfort.

Travel – Packable and Versatile

• Convertible Bras: When traveling, pack convertible bras that can be worn in multiple ways, such as traditional, strapless, halter, crisscross back, and one shoulder. 
• Easy-Care Fabrics: Choose lingerie made from quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant fabrics. Microfiber and certain synthetic blends are ideal for travel as they require minimal care and dry quickly.

Post-Surgery or Health-Related Needs

• Front Closure Bras: For those recovering from surgery or with limited mobility, front closure bras are easier to put on and take off. 
• Mastectomy Bras: These bras are specially designed with pockets to hold breast forms. Brands like Amoena offer a variety of styles that provide comfort and support.
• Post-Surgery Compression: Compression garments can aid in the healing process after surgery by reducing swelling and providing support. Look for medical-grade compression bras and panties recommended by healthcare professionals.

Trends in Lingerie 

As fashion evolves, so does the world of lingerie. Lingerie trends reflect a blend of innovation, inclusivity, and a focus on comfort without sacrificing style.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Lingerie

• Bamboo and Organic Cotton: There’s a growing demand for lingerie made from sustainable materials like bamboo and organic cotton. These fabrics are not only eco-friendly but also incredibly soft and breathable.
• Recycled Fabrics: Brands are increasingly using recycled materials to create beautiful lingerie pieces, reducing their environmental footprint.
• Fair Trade Practices: Consumers are becoming more conscious of where and how their lingerie is made. Brands that ensure fair wages and safe working conditions are gaining popularity.
• Local Production: Supporting local artisans and manufacturers is a trend, with many opting for lingerie made closer to home to reduce carbon emissions from shipping.

Inclusivity and Diversity

• Size-Inclusive Ranges: More brands are offering extended sizing, catering to a wider range of body types. This includes both larger and smaller sizes, ensuring everyone can find something that fits perfectly.
• Representation in Advertising: Campaigns featuring models of all ages, races, and body types are becoming the norm. This shift reflects a more inclusive approach to beauty and body positivity. I remember working as the Lingerie Design Director for a major Canadian retailer in the early 2000s when we made the bold decision to stop photoshopping models in our ad campaigns. We were pioneers in this practice, and it’s gratifying to see that showing “real” bodies has now become more common than using overly photoshopped images. There is still work to be done regarding age and ageism, but I think we will be seeing a shift in the coming years.
• Real-Life Scenarios: Lingerie ads are moving away from overly sexualized imagery to more realistic and relatable scenarios, showing how lingerie fits into everyday life.

Aesthetic Trends

• Vintage Revival – Retro Styles: Inspired by the glamour of past decades, vintage styles like high-waisted briefs, balconette bras, and garter belts are making a comeback.
• Classic Fabrics: Silk, satin, and lace are being used to create timeless pieces with a modern twist.
• Bold and Playful Designs: While neutral tones remain popular, bold colors, prints, and playful patterns are emerging as a trend. This includes everything from floral prints to vibrant neons.
• Mix-and-Match: Consumers are enjoying the freedom to mix and match different lingerie pieces, creating unique and personalized looks.

Best Lingerie for Older Women

Choosing lingerie as older women is a very personal experience. The fabric, the color, and the style will all depend on your personal taste, lifestyle, and preference. Of course, we expect sexy lingerie to be less comfortable than our cotton briefs, but we should still feel comfy without anything poking into our skin.

Sexy has no age!

Read 10 BEST ROBES FOR WOMEN OVER 50.

Also read 5 AMAZING SHAPEWEAR SELECTIONS AND OTHER FASHION OVER 50 FINDS.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are your favorite lingerie items? Has your style changed as you have gotten older? Tell us what you like to wear now. How is it different from before? Leave your comments below.