This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Before I get on to the subject of my specific favourite lingerie for women over 50, I’d like to say something about knickers or, as I unglamorously call them, pants.
At school huge gym knickers were de rigueur (well, they were back in the Dark Ages when I was a student). As a teenager, my pants became progressively smaller until they were no more than a couple of tiny triangles held together with some delicate ribbon. During my 30 year marriage, my lingerie very very gradually morphed into sensible knickers – roughly on a parity, come to think of it, with the decreasing number of times I was being chased around the boudoir. So nowadays I’m back right where I started in capacious full briefs.
So what lingerie should women over 50 be wearing? I bet the word ‘comfortable’ springs to mind. And I’m pretty sure we want to look as good as possible too. Well, if you are comfortable chances are you are more likely to feel confident. I always turn to M&S for my underwear – yes, there are lots of other brands out there but they seem so expensive in comparison. Here are my top picks from the huge range on offer at M&S:
I prefer the high waisted knickers because they cover your tummy and give you a smoother line.
Silk & Lace Floral Brazilian Knickers £15
Cotton Lycra® & Lace Full Briefs Great coverage but pretty too. I find these come up large, so recommend going down a size. Superb value. Pack of 5 in either Black or White £12.
The words ‘crop top’ and ‘women over 50’ don’t, in my humble opinion, go together very well. However, apparently a third of women in the UK have decided to give up wearing bras altogether and many more are opting for soft bras. Let’s be honest, the former isn’t going to happen if you have a large bust that needs support, but the latter is understandable as so many of us can’t wait to unhook our bras at the end of the day.
Luckily, my sister put me on to M&S Flexifit™ non wired crop top bras and, despite my initial reluctance, I absolutely dote on them now. They give my 38E’s support but there isn’t a hook, underwire or other bit of plastic or metal in sight. This is one you can wear happily the entire day and evening. It feels like a second-skin (if you can feel it at all). Just step into it and pull up. Not the usual way of putting on a bra but you’ll get used to it! They look great worn as a camisole under a v neck top (and one layer is better than two in this Summer heat). The removable cups are easy to re-insert after washing because the fabric is much tougher than it looks or feels. Available in 8 colours and sizes 8 – 22. Strongly advise going up a size. All kinds of matching items are also available.
Another non-wired bra that I have been enjoying wearing recently is the Total Support Wild Blooms Non-Wired Bra. It is supportive and feminine in one fell swoop. £18 in Black, White or Opaline and a wide range of sizes.
If you like a lightly padded bra, have a look at the Shape Define™ Non Wired Full Cup T-Shirt Bra which creates a streamlined look and has clever shaping that lifts and defines. £20 in Soft Pink, White or Black.
An instore sales assistant told me that this is one of the most comfortable bras M&S have ever sold. It’s called the Sumptuously Soft™ Non Wired T-Shirt Bra and has over 2000 really good customer online reviews. £20 and matching briefs are also available.
If you prefer wired bras, then check out the Rosie range such as her Camelia Wired Plunge Longline Bra £39.50. And if you are lucky enough to be small up top, then how about the Tivoli Mesh Non Wired Bralette £20 pictured above. By the way, M&S has a section online devoted to sexy lingerie… exciting!
Last, but definitely not least, I have found an all in one that is so comfortable, does not require a bra or pants and smoothes out my lumps, bumps, fat back and muffin top. I feel very confident wearing it and cool as a cucumber, even in this sweltering weather we’ve been having. The Cotton Rich Light Control Secret Support™ Bodysuit £25 in Black or White.
If you’re unsure about what bra to buy, remember you can get help from the M&S online fit service or book an appointment to be fitted instore.
Hope you have found some of these suggestions useful…. Grace x
Did you read our article on keeping cool in hot weather?