Harden Elkington
If I asked you to name me three items of clothing that most women wear daily, what would they be?
The answer is simple: a bra, a pair of underwear and a pair of shoes.
It’s funny how our biologically-given secondary sex characteristic takes up so much time and effort for us.
The first bras were designed to flatten the chest and make women look more like men.
They were also very uncomfortable, as they were made from stiff materials like whalebone and metal.
The first bra
The first bras date back to 3000 BC when Egyptian women started wrapping tight bandages around their chests in an attempt to flatten them.
They believed that concealing the breasts would ward off evil spirits and protect them from bad luck.
Only virgins could afford such luxury – women who had already given birth were seen as corrupt and immoral.
Interestingly, bras were also seen as a status symbol – the more fabric and lace you could afford, the wealthier you were considered.
The middle-age bra
Eventually, the concept of bras spread to other areas in Europe and started developing.
The women who lived during the Middle Ages wore corsets – a tight bodice that was tightly wrapped around their waist (similar to what you can see in “Robin Hood”).
Corsets were mostly made out of leather or whalebone. The tighter they strapped the waist, the more wealthy the woman was considered to be.
Tight corsets were very uncomfortable – they severely constricted breathing and led to many cases of miscarriages.
However, women who used them often had a higher social standing than those who didn’t – which explains why so few people complained about them.
The famous French queen Catherine De Medici got the fashion going in France, and soon women all over Europe started wearing them.
Bras in the 1800s
It wasn’t until the 1800s that bras started to be made from softer materials, such as cotton and linen.
However, they were still very uncomfortable and restrictive. Many women opted to go without them altogether.
In 1885, the first patent for a brassiere was filed by Mary Phelps Jacob.
It was made out of two pieces of handkerchief fabric and some ribbon.
Bras in the 1900s
The first bra design was patented by a woman called Mary Phelps Jacobs, who lived in New York.
She created the ‘Backless Brassiere’ – an attempt to make bras more comfortable and free. Unfortunately, it didn’t go very well with most women.
Mary was encouraged by her friends to take out a patent for her design and she did so in 1914.
The modern bra
The first modern bra was designed in 1914 by a woman named Ida Rosenthal, who created the ‘Caresse Crosby’ design – it was a revolutionary bra made out of sheer silk.
Women all over America were so happy to wear pretty and comfortable bras that she founded the Fashion Form Brassière Company which later became Maidenform.
A few years later, in 1933, Frederick Mellinger came up with the ‘Little Wonder’ bra.
It was an attempt to bring sex appeal back into bras – it had a zipper front and was advertised as something women would want to wear.
The next big thing was brought by Warner who introduced push-up bras in 1955.
Women all over America went crazy for them and they soon became the norm.
Bras continued to develop over the years, with new materials, designs and technologies being introduced all the time. And so, the modern bra was born.
Bra Designs over the years
While bras have certainly evolved over the years, there are a few key designs that stand out. Here are a few of the most popular bras from the 20th century:
The Shelf Bra
First designed in the 1930s, shelf bras are bras that don’t cover the entire breast. They have a wide band at the bottom of the cup that sits on top of the breast and pushes it up, creating a ‘shelf-like’ appearance.
The Push-up Bra
First designed in 1955 by Warner, push-up bras are bras that have padding at the bottom of the cup which pushes the breasts together and upwards. They are often heavily padded and made out of lace or satin.
The T-Shirt Bra
First designed in the 1990s, t-shirt bras are bras that are made to be worn under tight t-shirts and tops. They are seamless, molded bras that fit closely to the breasts.
Bras Today
Today, there are so many different types of bras and so many different designs and styles that it’s nearly impossible to keep track of them all.
Bras come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and shapes – each design aiming to make women feel comfortable and confident.
- See also: How was paper invented for the first time
- See also: The history of glass
No-Bra Movement
The ‘No Bra Movement’ is a term that refers to women who go braless. It’s an idea that’s been around for decades but has really made its impact in the last few years.
The most famous members of the movement are Kendall Jenner, Chrissy Teigen and Lady Gaga.
These women have all gone on record saying that bras are uncomfortable and restrictive. So, they choose to go without them.
What does this mean for the future of the bra? Only time will tell…
Conclusion
So, as you can see, bras have come a very long way. They used to be so uncomfortable and restrictive that they left women feeling insecure and ashamed of their bodies.
But now, they’ve changed – creating a new industry that’s constantly growing.
It’s important to remember though that there is nothing wrong with going braless, wearing the clothes you love and being comfortable in your own body.
Thank you for reading! If you liked this article, please feel free to check out our other articles here.
What are your thoughts? Which bra do you prefer? Leave us a comment below or drop us an email. We’d love to hear from you!
