Why every woman needs these five styles of bra 

Whether it’s the matronly ‘shelf’ or the deflated-balloon look you’re trying to avoid, most women of a certain age are secretly wrestling with the same problem: how to disguise a declining decolletage.

You may have sailed through your 20s and 30s blithely buying fashion bras or flinging supermarket designs into a trolley along with the cornflakes. But no doubt many are beginning to notice that style over substance simply doesn’t cut it in your 40s, 50s and beyond.

Like it or not, the composition of breast tissue changes as you get older — particularly if you’ve had children.

Plump, pillowy glandular tissue is replaced by far softer fat deposits, breasts droop as connective tissue slackens, nipples tend to drop and some breasts even spread sideways. Age is never kind.

‘The ligaments in the glandular tissue aren’t very strong,’ says Nick Percival, consultant plastic surgeon at Cosmetic Surgery Partners. ‘They stretch with pregnancy and the natural ageing process, so breasts begin to sag.’

Even the nipple can change: ‘It has a muscle attached which makes it erect. Just like the rest of the breast, as it drops it stretches and the diameter of the areola widens. Pigment changes tend to mean the area becomes paler, rather than darker.’

And breasts get wrinkles, too. But they’re just one of a number of different problems with the skin on the breasts.

‘In the face you have bones, a layer of muscle and all the fat pads which provide more support. You have none of this in the breasts,’ says Harley Street aesthetic expert Dr David Jack.

‘In addition, the skin is very thin and you get sun damage to the decolletage, which becomes quite crepey. It’s the one area where women often forget to use SPF.’

While small breasts might have the advantage where gravity is concerned, the loss of volume that comes with ageing is far more noticeable. This combined with thinner skin may leave the breasts and decolletage looking stretched and crimpled.

But there is good news: ‘Resurfacing treatments such as Fractora, Fraxel and IPL [intense pulsed light] can be used to great effect on texture and appearance of the decolletage,’ says Dr Jack.

PERFECT SHAPE Simone Perele Boheme, £72:  An incredibly pretty design, the delicately patterned Boheme bra has vertical darts that lift and round the bust under tight tops. This structure creates a discreet but nonetheless Marie Antoinette-worthy cleavage to be proud of. Plus, who could possibly resist that gorgeous sheer design?

And, according to celebrity personal trainer Cornel Chin, you may be able to fight the sag naturally with just a couple of simple exercises.

‘Many of my clients are concerned about drooping breasts,’ he says. ‘As there isn’t any muscle in breast tissue, you need to target the pectoral muscles, which lie under the breasts and can be strengthened.

‘If the muscles are saggy, they add to any general droop, but if they’re strong and firm, they can give the impression of lift.’

Cornel, who has worked with such A-list bodies as Hollywood actress Naomie Harris, advises swimming the breast stroke, which he says is well named.

‘This works out the entire upper body as well as engaging the pectoral muscles.’ But if you don’t have access to a pool, not to worry. ‘The exercise I recommend to anyone short on time and unable to get to a gym is press-ups.’

These don’t have to be done in the extreme, SAS-training style. ‘Start off doing what I call box press-ups,’ says Cornel.

Get into a press-up position with your knees on the ground and your body supported by outstretched arms. Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart to best engage the pectoral muscles, then lower yourself down and push up 15 times. ‘Ideally, do two to three sets of 15 every other day,’ says Cornel. ‘You might even put a book under each hand, which changes the position of the body and engages more muscle fibres.’

T-SHIRT BRA PrimaDonna Satin, £62:  Achieving a smooth line under light tops is vital, but if you have a fuller bust you need a well-structured bra. Basic styles may have up to 16 components, but this one is far more complex, with 40 to 45. It also has wider straps for support, lift and shape

Posture also makes an incredible difference to the look of breasts. ‘Exercises such as Pilates, which engage the core and help with posture, are invaluable.’

He adds: ‘It’s imperative that you wear a decent support bra when exercising or the pectoral muscles will be pulled and weakened over time.’

And it’s not just for sport that a good bra can make all the difference for older women.

‘Middle-aged women were traditionally dismissed with ill-fitting, beige undergarments,’ says Kelly Dunmore, chief lingerie stylist at Rigby & Peller. ‘Now, quite rightly, they feel they deserve decent underwear. A good bra enhances your figure, helps you stand differently and gives confidence.’

According to Kelly, we’re experiencing an ‘underwear revolution’. But it’s no good splashing out on a sole purchase: we need to invest in a minimum of five different bras for different outfits.

If you buy wisely, they’ll not only last the distance but lift your collapsing cleavage and your spirits whatever the occasion.

‘They really aren’t one-size-fits-all,’ says Kelly. ‘What works under a work shirt or dress may not be appropriate under a T-shirt or an evening dress.

‘And remember, a perfectly fitted bra will enhance any outfit and create the silhouette you desire.’

Here, Kelly presents the five breast friends every woman needs — whatever your size.

All bras supplied by rigbyandpeller.com

PETITE: PERK UP A SMALL BUST THAT’S LOST FULLNESS  

This Stella McCartney bra aims to enhance the natural shape of breast to give a more youthful appearance

PERFECT SHAPE

Stella McCartney Cherie Sneezing, £45

Enhance your natural shape with this bodice-effect bra. The shape of the Cherie Sneezing helps to create a natural fullness at the top, giving a more youthful look. Perfect for those who have lost a little volume.

 For an enhanced lift petite busts can feel comfortable in this  Stella McCartney bralette

COMFORT

Stella McCartney Jasmine Inspiring Bralette, £70

The bralette is a relatively new trend and is brilliant for smaller cup sizes. This has enough lift to make more petite busts look pert and — best of all — it is blissfully comfortable.

For a gentle boost in low cut tops such as those usually worn at evening events, this Marie Jo Dahlia gives a subtle push up

EVENING

Marie Jo Dahlia Push-Up, £111

Pushing up and in creates cleavage, so this style is ideal for women who have lost a little fullness — especially if they want to wear a lower cut top. Too much forcing together will make skin crinkle, but a gentle boost for an evening out will lift your spirits, too.

For an elegant every day look this Simone Perele Eden bra offers subtle padding which compliments most outfits

EVERYDAY

Simone Perele Eden, £70

The Eden is covered with beautiful stretch lace and has removable padded inserts to give a gentle uplift. The versatile plunge shape makes this an elegant must-have for your everyday wardrobe.

MEDIUM: CREATE A CLEAVAGE LIKE YOU USED TO HAVE 
 

 A confident plunge can be achieved with this Marie Jo L’Aventure Gordon Bra 

T-SHIRT BRA

Marie Jo L’Aventure Gordon, £83

Feel confident in this plunge shaped, smooth seamed bra. The cups lift and centralise the bust to create a round and youthful form. The light material feels like a second skin and ensures comfort.

This luxurious bra offers comfort whilst remaining flattering in any outfit 

COMFORT

Andres Sarda Venus, £125

Being comfortable doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. The Venus will add a touch of luxury to your day with its smooth cups and exclusive Leavers lace detailing. The light blush colour works as a flattering alternative to plain nude tones.

A light bra can give superb comfort when styling with evening wear 

EVENING

Simone Perele Kiss, £72

The exquisite detailing on this sheer, sweetheart-shaped, bra feels luxurious and sensual, making it perfect for any evening occasion.

It is also light and comfortable, so you won’t be itching to take it off. Guaranteed to make you feel radiant inside and out.

For a youthful appearance this Andres Sarda Eden bra offers a slight push up which works perfectly with most necklines

EVERYDAY

Andres Sarda Eden Push-Up Bra, £106

It’s actually the size of the band that dictates the volume of the cup. First establish band size and then change the cup to find the right size. Many women claim to be a 36A when they’re a 32C.

This push-up plunge is simple and gives a little lift and a good shape — perfect for most necklines and outfits.

For support and a natural shape the PrimaDonna Deauville bra is on hand with embroidered style

PERFECT SHAPE

PrimaDonna Deauville, £89

Gravity can have a stronger effect on a fuller bust. The sturdy cups lift and centralise to give a neat, narrowed shape, while the embroidered tulle hugs breast tissue to prevent movement. Perfect under fitted clothes.

This sports bra is ideal for protecting breast from damage during exercise and weakening tissue

COMFORT

PrimaDonna Sport The Mesh, £88.95

It is essential that sports bras are well fitted as exercising without one creates unnecessary movement by up to 2in and can be very uncomfortable. This can also cause connective tissue in the breast to weaken.

The sheer panels of this bra offers a sexy look whilst remaining light enough to flatter most evening wear

EVENING

PrimaDonna Twist I Want You, £83.95

You do not have to sacrifice style to get a larger cup size. The sheer mesh panels give a supportive yet sexy look, with the straps looking fabulous peeping out from beneath a blouse.

This everyday bra offers full support without sacrificing comfort and gives a narrow silhouette

EVERYDAY

Empreinte Lily Rose, £95.95

It’s unlikely you’ll want much cleavage on view in the office, so this half sheer design with firm cups and wide straps for support and comfort is spot on. A three-section cup construction with side panels pulls the bust in, giving you a narrower silhouette.