No one can deny that the bra is an essential piece of clothing in any woman’s wardrobe. But its history has not always been so straightforward to understand. The first bras, or rather bra-like garments, were created to cover, support and shape women’s breasts.
The ancient Greeks and Romans used a band of cloth or leather to bind their breasts, while women in the Middle Ages wore corsets to lift and shape their busts. Since the 19th century, the history of women’s bras has continued to evolve.
With a seemingly infinite number of bras that can be used for any purpose, from amplifying the cleavage or accentuating subtle breasts for an attractive look, it’s no wonder why this type of garment has become so popular. Let us take a closer look at these brassieres and explore their origin and how they have evolved over time!
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Ancient Times
During ancient times, women tended to bind their breasts with a band of cloth or leather for modesty and comfort. This was done to flatten the chest area and make it appear smaller.
In Greece and Rome, during the 14 century BC, women started using tight-fitting garments known as strophium or mamillare, like corsets that provided support and coverage and prevented sagging. They were usually made from linen strips tied around the breasts to flatten them.
Evolution Of the Bra By Decade
14th Century – The Bandeau
In the fourteenth century, many women didn’t wear bras under their dresses. But for sports and recreational activities, they’d don a cloth that provided support to flatten the chest – not lift it like today’s lingerie does! Bras were an atypical garment back in those days since their purpose was generally more about reducing size than dressing up; however, that has now completely changed with modern fashion trends.
16th Century – The Corset
The 16th century marked the rise of corsets. Herminie Cadolle from France created the first two-piece corset, which consisted of separate cups for the breasts and shoulder straps. This remarkable development provided more support than just a simple handkerchief. These garments were worn to emphasize a woman’s figure and support the breasts, primarily to make them appear more voluptuous.
19th Century – Victorian Era
During the Victorian era, fashion was all about being strict and structured. Consequently, corset designs were created to accommodate those popular gowns of the time by tightly cinching waists as tiny as possible. Sadly, this harmed women’s breasts – often resulting in a lack of lift and shape that gave them a “monoboob” look- no room for breathability!
1910 – The Modern Bra
In 1910, Mary Phelps Jacob created what is the first version of the modern bra. It was so revolutionary that it even earned her a patent! Its design resembling today’s bras quickly became popular and remained an iconic piece of women’s fashion history.
1932 – Cup Size Introduced
In 1932, the cup size was introduced to standardize bra sizing. This was a significant milestone in the history of women’s bras as it allowed for better fitting and improved comfort for wearers. During this time, bras were still made from silk, satin, or cotton, with cups lined in grosgrain ribbon or eyelet embroidery.
1940 – Torpedo Style
The Torpedo style bra was introduced in the 1940s. It was named for its shape, which resembled a torpedo, and featured conical molded cups that gave women a more rounded silhouette. Plus, it has a thicker strap for more support and stability, heavy padding, and full coverage. This bra style was popular with young women looking to have a fashionable look while providing better support than traditional bras.
1950s – The Bullet Bra
In the 1950s, the rise of Hollywood and pin-up culture led to a new trend of curvy, hourglass figures. This led to the invention of the bullet bra, which was designed to lift and shape the bust into a pointed, conical shape.
The bullet bra, with its pointed shape and cone-like cups, was popularized in the 1950s. It provided fuller coverage for women’s breasts and highlighted the natural curves. This style was also seen as a symbol of female empowerment during this period.
1960s – Push-Up Bras
In the 1960s, there was an increased demand for bra styles that could create more cleavage. The push-up bra came into fashion during the 1960s. These bras had heavily padded cups to lift the breasts and create more cleavage. The design of these bras allowed wearers to create their desired look easily, giving them an extra boost of confidence and feeling sexy.
1977 – The First Sports Bra
The first sports bra was created in the 1970s by Lisa Lindahl, a women’s health, and fitness advocate. It is specifically designed for sports girls who need extra support and coverage. The bra is made with stay-in-place elastic, providing full coverage and high clearance to keep breasts secure during movement. Nowadays, you’ll see sports bras of all styles and levels of comfort.
21st Century – Most Advanced Era
In the modern era, bras have come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to suit any woman’s needs. From push-up, padded and balconette bras to strapless and racerback designs, there is an endless array of styles to choose from.
As the technology behind fabrics and designs has advanced, so too have the options available in terms of comfort, fit and aesthetic appeal. With bras now coming in all kinds of sizes, shapes and colors, women today have more choice than ever before when it comes to finding the perfect bra for their body type.
In contemporary Western countries, it is estimated that almost 95 percent of women wear bras. This has birthed a substantial billion-dollar industry in which Victoria’s Secret and significant corporations like Hanes now dominate.
To meet the need for minimal underwear styles to support busts while complementing plunging necklines, designers face an ever-evolving challenge to stay ahead of demand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why was the bra invented?
The bra was invented to provide support and coverage for women’s breasts. In the early 20th century, bras were developed to replace the more restrictive corsets of the Victorian era. Over time, bras have evolved to offer not only necessary support but also a range of styles designed to enhance a woman’s figure.
When did Bras become popular?
Bras first gained popularity in the 1940s, when the Torpedo style was invented. This style provided better support for women’s breasts than previous designs and became a fashionable choice for young women. The bullet bra of the 1950s was another popular design that accentuated curves and was seen as a symbol of female empowerment.
How have bras evolved over time?
Over time, bras have evolved to become more comfortable, supportive, and diverse in style. From the padded bras of the 1950s to the sports bras of the 1990s, there have been many advancements in bra design and technology.
Conclusion – Last Thoughts
The History of Women’s Bras is fascinating – from its beginnings as a piece of cloth wrapped around breasts in Ancient Greece and Rome to its modern-day incarnations made from spandex or molded cups with padding. From backless brassieres to push-up bras and strapless designs, it’s clear there’s no limit to what can be done with this essential item!
The History of Women’s Bras is an ever-evolving story that will continue as new designs and innovations are created. It’s a reminder that bras remain essential to a woman’s wardrobe no matter our fashion choices!
Thank you for reading! We hope this article helped introduce you to the History of Women’s Bras and its many iterations over time.