A clothing question for ladies

[Chelle73]

Help !!

I have loss of strength in my left arm …
I currently can’t do my bra up without assistance - I’m looking for advice or suggestions of makes of bras that are easy to fasten or put on with just one arm. I have looked at a bra dressing aid on Amazon but the reviews were awful.
any suggestions greatly appreciated as I’m not liking having to ask my daughters to dress me when I have so much other independence

[Ellie]

Chelle, could you manage a front opening bra with zip, popper or the usual hook and eye closures? xx

[Chelle73]

Hook & eye probably not
no idea where to buy the popper ones
i bought a Velcro front fastening but when I stood up after struggling to get it in it popped open 🤦♀️
looking for any recommendations of brands I could try

[Ellie]

Quite a few options come up on an internet search for front closing popper bras, everything from adaptive wear to sports bras to lingerie shops.

My (teenage) daughter wears Nike sports bras with front zip closing. xx

[Doug Carpenter]

Sports bras

https://Www.pourmoi.co.uk

Doug

[Olivia H]

Also from personal experience, some mastectomy bras have easier to do/undo zip front fasteners, you can wear them as a standard bra and they look no different from any bra x

[Sarahw]

I gave up in the end and go ‘commando’ top and bottom. Zips popped undone and others were like putting a straight jacket on!! I had consulted my ot and she had no better options! Sorry

[Rosemary6NT]

I have also given up the instrument of torture. Nobody looks at a 70 year old woman 😁

[DeeH]

There are some nice vest tops with integrated support.

Sports bras in a bigger size.

As a carer and after the experience of lockdown, bras are for special occasions.

TMI Layer vest tops, no one can tell under jumpers.

but if you feel more comfortable with support vest tops way to go

[TinyLady]

My left hand and arm is pretty weak and I use the following technique...

Place bra against body back to front, so fastening in front, cups on back.

I then use my left arm to hold the fastening part with rings against my body (slightly towards left of centre), by pressing my arm against my body as firmly as I can.

My more able right hand then puts the hooks into the loops on the loosest setting.

I can then use right hand to swivel it round so cups at front and pull up straps.

[Chelle73]

TinyLady im very similar… limited use of my left arm. I’ve tried doing them up at front but it takes a lot of energy then I haven’t the energy or strength to twist bra round the right way 😢

[TinyLady]

Chelle73 - completely understand. I'm having to wear them a bit loose and also finding I waste so much energy on doing this. But too stubborn to admit defeat yet. My right hand can still just about manage this.

I hope you find a solution that works for you xx

[Ellie]

... I waste so much energy on doing this.

Did you think you'd slip that by me Tiny 😉😍😍

Choose your battles - bras v kids - I know about 'not giving in', equally I know that you can't get back time. 🤗🤗😘😘

[TinyLady]

Ellie my girls are not there while I battle my bra (school and work) and my life is currently so stressful that maybe death by bra-strap might solve a few things 😆

[matthew55]

I would happily volunteer for bra fastening duty but with only one arm working I wouldn't be much help. 😂😉😜😎xx