Hm, well. . .is anyone smaller in size, like me? Frankly I'm always a little embarrased to buy bras because I need an add-a-size padded bra just to make me look semi-shapely. I'd never go to a fitter--would make me feel like a pre-teen (and I'm 50). If the straps don't stretch out first, the padding goes bad after a number of washes.

My Mom is 89 and also decided no more bras she has very bad Rheumatoid Arthritis so trying to even pull on a sports bra was impossible. Plus she is a tiny woman. So she is going the cami route or wearing some type of shirt under her regular tops. We went shopping and got several sets with a matching tee or sleeveless top to go under her shirt. She was very happy and did not feel braless. I am not a tiny woman by far so for me the whole bra issue is a true pain. I have RA also and started having a problem pulling on my sports bras and no way could I do the back hooks any longer. The ahh and genie bra was a comic event when I tried those. But I have found thus far the most comfortable and easy to put on bra so I bought several of them in various colors and now I can actually put them on by myself and not be terribly irritated by it, the straps have like memory foam and are so comfy plus they are very supportive. Wirefree front-hook seamless leisure bra by Comfort Choice� I wait till they are on sale and then use one of the promo codes I can always find online and get them at a very good price, also since they have the bra club I end up getting one free. I showed these bras to my sister and she tried on one of the new ones I had never worn and I thought she was going to steal it from me. I emailed her the site link and a promo code so she could get her own. LOL For years I wore the all in one teddy which I dearly loved because there was no band around you to crawl up. At home alone I am often with out bra, out in public always wear one.

I quit using the mesh bag when I got a front loader. Wash with my other under garments and nighties on cold water. Hang the bras and delicates to dry and put the rest of the load in the dryer. I keep a mesh bag on hand should H*** freeze over and I put on a pair of pantyhose. I don't wear lace so maybe 'delicates' is the wrong word - whatever you call comfortable camouflage for older gals. My mom used to wear long-lines that hooked up the back. That was a family production but she was a 'J' and her bras had to be handmade. Those were the ones the had to be handwashed. If you're spending good money on brassieres, you probably should use the mesh bag, I guess. I buy Bali's at Ross on sale, lol.

I was a certified bra fitter at my last job. It was a ladies boutique that specialized in breast prosthesis and bras, and catered to the more than ample sized ladies with a good selection of larger cup sizes. It was a fun job. And at that shop, we always encouraged the ladies to stick with nude for their lingerie. These days I have to go to high end stores or specialty shops to get the size I need. Most stores stop at DDD. My description of my more than ample bosoms now at age 78 is 3 lbs of warm mashed potatoes in 4 lb bags. Knee slappers for sure.