Forme Bra Review in Midlife: Support, Comfort, or Just Influencer Hype?

If you’re a woman over 40, posture often becomes a bigger concern than you ever expected. Years of desk work, stress, and habitual slouching combined with the physical effects of perimenopause have many women in midlife searching for posture support. I seed a lot of posture bras advertised on social media with Forme getting the most visibility. I felt it would be helpful to have a member of the Wardrobe Oxygen community share an honest Forme bra review for women over 40, focusing on a woman in midlife who is looking to improve her posture.

The Forme posture bra went viral after being seen on Taylor Swift when rehearsing for her Eras Tour. As a grown-ass woman, I respect TayTay, but I know that what works on her 36-year-old celebrity self may not necessarily benefit the body of a grown-ass woman in midlife. When I received the opportunity to review the Forme Power+ Bra for posture, I reached out to the Wardrobe Oxygen community so we could all get the honest real-life Forme posture bra review we grown women need and deserve.

The Forme Power+ Bra is a comfort-focused variation of the brand's famous posture focused bra, the Power Bra. It is designed with wider underarm openings and discreet padding but still has the same patented posture-correcting technology of six tension fabrics and 10 double-layered posture panels as the original. The Forme Power Bra currently retails for $178 and comes in seven colors; The Power+ Bra retails for $208 and comes in four colors.

I chose community member Jamie to receive the Forme Power+ Bra and write this review because her experience reflects a shift many women in midlife recognize. As she shared in her submission: “As a 5’11” woman I’ve spent many years slouching and trying to appear smaller. As I reach midlife and experience perimenopause, I no longer feel the need to shrink myself. In fact, I’m ready to reclaim my full height and am focused on improving my posture.” Her Forme bra review explores whether this posture-focused bra supports that goal and whether it truly delivers for a woman in midlife.

Forme Bra Review in Midlife: Looking to Improve Posture with Comfort

As a tall woman with a full bust navigating perimenopause, Jamie’s experience highlights how posture bras perform on a midlife body that needs both structure and comfort. Take it away, Jamie!

I’ve been 5’11” since the 8^th grade.  Growing up, I hated being tall and hated being referred to as “big.”  I spent a lot of time actively working to shrink myself and to be smaller.  I slouched to the point that my mother would say, “Don’t be a C!” physically correcting my posture.  As I matured, I began to embrace my height, realizing the power in having the physical advantages of height, but my habit of shrinking and slouching stuck.  

Why I Looked at the Forme Bra After 40

Now in my mid forties, I find myself transitioning from perimenopause towards menopause and I no longer feel ANY desire to shrink myself.  In fact, I am ready to take all the damn space that I want and need.  With that comes a renewed desire to improve my posture and to unapologetically stand taller than ever.

Concerns About Wearing a Posture Bra After 40

I have been considering a Forme posture bra purchase for the past few years first hearing of the brand on social media and wondering if it was worth the price.  I am not afraid to invest in a good quality posture tool but wasn’t sure if this bra would be comfortable enough that I would actually wear it.  I had concerns about how difficult it may be to put it on and wondered if it would be painful to wear.  

Determining Which Size Forme Bra to Order

I was sent the link for the Forme Power+ Bra and asked to share my size and color choice to place the order. The Forme posture bra is available in sizes XS-3XL. This converts to fitting band sizes 26-46 and bra cup sizes A-DDD/F. Looking at the Forme website size chart, I was on the upper limits of the size large with 34 DDD being my normal bra size. I wear a medium or large in most tops. Based on online reviews of the Forme Power+ bra and other Forme posture bras as well as Alison’s research, I stuck with the size large to ensure best fit.  

When the bra arrived, I found it to be beautifully designed especially the beautiful mesh on the back.  The package included a useful informational handout with instructions and details about the company and the bra.

Putting On the Forme Posture Bra: Ease, Fit, and First Impressions

I prepared myself mentally for the experience and pulled the Forme posture bra on overhead.  Putting it on was easier than I thought it would be.  While it was a bit tight and required a bit of adjustment once on, it fit snuggly and felt good on without uniboob! I immediately noticed the comfortable wide straps and the broad band at the bottom that felt smooth and didn’t cut into my body. 

How the Forme Bra Fit my Midlife Body

I found the arm holes designed that there was some arm flab near my armpits that hung out while also being restrictive and not generously cut.  However, I also noticed how open my chest felt and that my neck and back felt comfortably aligned. Following the advice in the insert suggestion I ease into wearing the product over time, I wore the Forme Power+ bra for about 20 minutes the first time.

Wearing the Forme Bra for Yoga and Daily Activities

The next day was a weekend day and I decided to pop it on to tidy the house and do some gentle yoga. I found that the bra didn’t limit my mobility, but instead continued to feel good on with the same sense of openness in my chest and reduced pressure on my neck. I wore the bra for about 1.5 hours the second time. 

Testing the Forme Bra for Posture During Video Calls

I work from home a couple days a week and wanted to see if the bra would help me to sit tall during back to back virtual meetings.  The third time I wore the Forme posture bra for almost 4 hours and found that it did indeed help me to stand tall and feel supported in improving my posture.  I could feel my muscles gently working while still feeling supported in my alignment.  Despite wearing it for a longer time, I did not feel sore or hurt after wearing the bra.  

Washing the Forme Posture Bra

I laundered the bra using the hand wash setting placing it in a mesh bag and hanging to dry.  The bra laundered well without any issues.

Honest Pros and Cons of the Forme Power+ Posture Bra

Overall, I love the Forme Power+ bra and found it to be much easier to put on and to wear than I anticipated. I also love the openness in my chest and feeling the support without impacting my mobility. I noticed over time of wearing the bra that the arm holes loosened up a bit and were not uncomfortable despite still having a bit of a bulge when in certain positions. 

Wearing the Forme Bra Under Clothes

The Forme Power+ bra has enough coverage to wear on its own to workout but also looks good under a blouse or shirt.  Despite the arm bulge that I hyperfocused on, according to my husband it was not visible when worn under a shirt.  

I am excited to use this posture bra as a tool to support me on my journey of standing tall and claiming my rightful space on this planet and I hope this inspires others to do the same. I  look forward to incorporating this into my posture routine and to seeing progress over time. 

In Summary…

• Is the Forme Bra good for women over 40? Yes, in fact the Forme Bra was designed by an orthopedic surgeon for his mother. The Forme Bra is good for women of all ages.
• Does the Forme Bra help posture in midlife? Yes, age doesn't seem to be a factor in the effectiveness of this device.
• Is the Forme Bra comfortable for all-day wear? Yes, while it it recommended to slowly become acclimated to the posture bra, it can be worn for hours at a time as a comfort bra.
• Does the Forme Bra work for large busts? A size Large comfortably fit a 34 DDD woman who usually wears a size M/L shirt. The bra is available up to 3X and is a good large bust bra for up to a DDD/F cup.
• Is the Forme Bra a medical device or just a posture aid? The Forme Bra is registered with the FDA as a medical device but not fully FDA-approved. That means it's recognized for its intended use but hasn't yet been cleared. 
• Is it worth the price for women in perimenopause? Yes, if you are looking for an effective posture bra that will be comfortable and look good under regular clothes, the Forme bra is a good choice.

Thank you, Jamie, for an honest, thorough, and useful review of the Forme Power+ Posture Bra. Along with keeping the bra, Jamie was also paid a fair rate. Consider joining the Wardrobe Oxygen Community on Facebook where I will share future opportunities for you to participate in real-life reviews by grown-ass women.