A bra, short for brassiere or brassière, is a form-fitting undergarment that is primarily used to support and cover women's breasts. A typical bra consists of a chest band that wraps around the torso, supporting two breast cups that are held in place by shoulder straps.
1914: The First Modern Bra is Invented
New York City socialite Mary Phelps Jacob invented and patented the first modern bra using two silk handkerchiefs and a pink ribbon. Also called the “backless bra,” her invention was lightweight, soft, comfortable, and naturally separated the breasts.
An A-cup is 8oz.; B is 13 oz., C is 21 oz., and D cups is 27 oz.) 1946: Frederic Mellinger opens Frederick's of Hollywood, which became a staple for Hollywood starlets and pinups alike. The next year, he introduced the very first push-up bra, dubbed "The Rising Star."
Otto Titzling is a fictional character who is apocryphally described as the inventor of the brassière in the 1971 book Bust-Up: The Uplifting Tale of Otto Titzling, published by Macdonald in London and by Prentice-Hall in the USA.
The intention behind the invention of the bra was to provide support for the breasts, but nowadays, it is debated whether all women need to have their breasts supported at all times.
Mary Phelps Jacob (also known as Caresse Crosby) patented the most frequently referenced modern brassiere in 1914, after making one from two handkerchiefs to wear under an evening dress. Although her design was not a huge commercial success, the “bra” was established as an essential underpinning by 1917.
A padded bra that achieves natural shape using a body oil and water mixture contained within each cup insert.
Original "Wonder-Bra" design
Israel Pilot designed an improved cup with a diagonal slash, shoulder strap attachment. This innovation on existing bra design provided more comfort and freedom of movement for the wearer. He also coined the name "Wonder-Bra" in 1935.
The first-ever bra most likely dates back to ancient Greece, when women wrapped a band of wool or linen across their breasts, pinning or tying them in the back.
While there's no medical evidence that wearing a bra prevents sag, wearing a high-quality comfortable bra is a helpful way to lift and support both large or small breasts and keep your body feeling balanced and healthy. The key to finding a good bra is to make sure it has a comfortable fit.
The upper garment worn over the breasts was variously described as a pratidhi, uttariya, kanchuki, kanchuli, choli or angopa. Later, Jain and Buddhist nuns would cover themselves fully. Blouses came into being and breasts were cupped into the front portions of the blouse.
In 1965 Playtex introduced the Cross Your Heart Bra. Today it remains one of the best-known brands in the United States and is the second bestselling brand of Playtex bra, with the 18-Hour Bra filling out the top spot. The tycoon and film producer also had his handing creating a bra.
The word braless was first used circa 1965. Other terms for going braless include breast freedom, top freedom, and bra freedom.
Bras in this section are all liquid gel filled. With double and triple boost styles available all of these bras are designed with liquid gel pads sewn securely inside the cups to increase your bust size and enhance cleavage.
The Angel bra is made of two adhesive cups that are easy to stick onto your breasts. The bra gives you a nice push-up because of the front closure. The bra is fully open on the back and completely strapless.
The bra itself is meant to give additional protection to Soldiers. The tactical bra may include features like flame-resistant fabrics. Layered protection and structural protective materials will also be included in the design. Designers aim to integrate the tactical bra into existing body armor.
Pillow Bra is composed of an ergonomic foam cushion which fits perfectly between the breasts, filling the natural space within the cleavage area. This central cushion is integrated in to a specially designed bra that is made up of two cups that completely cover the breasts and are free of underwire.
A tee shirt bra is a smooth cup bra, usually underwired, that has padded or molded cups. It's the fail-proof choice for wearing underneath tightly fitted clothing or tee shirts, thanks to the smooth and seamless design. Its versatility and comfort make it a wardrobe must-have, whatever your shape or size.
Your breasts might sag if you don't wear a bra.
"There's a ligament called Cooper's ligament that anchors around the breast tissue," he says. "This causes more movement and bouncing around. In my opinion, the breasts will sag and get loose if a bra isn't worn for a long time."
In France, the first modern bra was born, called the corselet gorge ("the well-being."), when Herminie Cadolle cut a corset into two separate undergarments — the top supported the breasts by means of straps, while the lower part was a corset for the waist.
It was during this decade that Hollywood starlets like Patti Page, Marilyn Monroe and Lana Turner popularized the cone-shaped, spiral-stitched bullet bra. The early 1960s came along and so did the Wonderbra!
In addition to loincloths, medieval men wore an entirely different type of underpants called braies. Women of the period might have worn a breast band called a strophium or mamillare made from linen or leather.
The first ever Bra was made of silk and wire and it appeared in the Great Britain. Herminie Cadolle from France cut the corset into two parts and made corselet-gorge (that supported the breasts) and soutien- gorge (a bra with straps) and gave corset a makeover.
Origins and evolution of the bra
Prototypes of the first bras were manufactured and marketed in England, America, Germany and France from the 1850s until around the 1920s. During this early period, the bra was still very much a novelty item.