If you are looking for practical everyday front fastening bras you will find that most lingerie shops and department stores do not sell them, and getting advice on what is appropriate is really difficult.
I probably get more phone calls and emails, relating to front fastening bras than any other subject. Often family members have put themselves forward to try and find the solution for a relative who is struggling to find what they need. We are not talking about front fastening bras, that could be described as fashion bras, but rather front fastening bras that are everyday bras, designed to help people with particular needs.
For some people it can be just as simple as they find back fastening bras difficult, for others it can be as a result of arthritis. A lot of requests for front opening bras are from people who have broken their arm or shoulder, or where they have had some form of surgery that makes wearing a back fastener difficult or difficult to put on.
There are a number of front fastening bras on the market and I have looked at a few of them here to try and give a balanced view of the strengths of each.
The Royce Front Fastening Post Surgery Bra, is designed specifically for people who have had surgery and is usually worn following breast enhancement or reduction surgery, or immediately following a mastectomy. It is also worn by people who have had other procedures, heart surgery for example, where the chest area has been operated on. This bra is soft and comfortable and have X-static fibre, which has anti bacterial properties, making it the ideal following any form of surgery. (For those who have had a mastectomy it is also pocketed so that it can take a prosthesis) If you have difficulty with a back fastening bra, or if you want a bra that puts the focus on comfort then the Comfi Bra from Royce is certainly an option to consider.
Another specialist front fastening bra is the Bestform Posture Correcting Cotton Front Fastening Bra. This bra is a favourite with people who like cotton bras, and who for various reasons do not like or cannot wear bras made with man made fibres. It is also great for people who have back problems where posture is an issue. The Camisole back have elasticated panels built in that help spread the weight and reduce back and neck problems.
Naturana make two front fastening bras, the first having the look of a conventional bra, that fastens at the front and from a value for money point of view this is most definitely the bra to go for. As with most front fastening bras, this is a soft cup bra, i.e. it does not have wires. This bra is available to a DD Cup, which you will find is as big a cup size as you willget in a front fastening bra. The only exception being the Post Sugery Bra that is made upto an F Cup.
So what do you do if you need a front fastening bra and you are bigger than a DD Cup, the answer is to go for a bigger back size and a smaller cup. For example if you are a 38E, then you would need a 40DD (this would be your alternate size). For each cup size you go up, you come down a cup size.
Going back to Naturana the second style is part of their minimising range and does just that, works as a minimiser to make you look that little bit smaller. This bra by the way is the only front fastening bra currently available that is made in black. All the other bras are in white only.
Finally the Royce Comfi Bra, comes in two versions a pocketted bra and a non pocketted bra. This bra is made with very soft cotton, hence the name Comfi Bra and is made in back sizes 34 to 42 with the bras fitting cup sizes A to D. Instead of the conventional hook and eye fastening, it fastens with poppers.
Front fastening bras are difficult to find, but they are available and available to meet a range of needs. Don’t forget that as with all bras the ideal is to be properly fitted, but being realistic, it is not always possible for people to find or get to a Lingerie shop where they have the relevant experience or appropriate stock, so buying online becomes the main option available. So don’t forget that as with all online purchases, you can try on in the comfort of your own home and return goods for refund or exchange, to make sure that what you buy is what you are looking for and fits properly.