He is our good friend, we love him because he supports not only our bust, but also our morale and, if we choose him correctly, he helps us without giving us any trouble and is always by our side.
bra It is that clothing item that we use very often, sometimes daily, which is why it is worth showing it a little appreciation and going back in time to learn about its history.
And we go back a long way because since ancient times, especially in Ancient Greece and Rome, the use of a piece of fabric tied at the back to support the breasts has been documented.
In 2008, in Austria, clothing items dating back to the Middle Ages were discovered that are extremely similar to what a bra is today. Even back then, there were decorative elements applied to transform the item and make it more than just a simple utility.
The corset appeared around the 16th century and was the basic piece until the 20th century, when the need for comfort, utility and adaptation to the clothing items used at the time led a French designer to separate the corset into two distinct pieces and the supporting straps were added to the top. The American magazine Vogue was the one that used the term "brassiere" for the first time in 1907, and in 1911 the word was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary. The popularity of the corset was further interrupted by the First World War. The lack of materials led to the abandonment of the corset in order to redirect the use of metal. Many women began to work in factories, so a corset that restricted their movements was no longer practical and they turned to brassiere.
In 1910, the first form of the modern bra was invented out of a need to wear something lighter and that would fit better with the popular dresses of the time. While preparing for a ball, Mary Phelps Jacob, a 19-year-old girl, considered the corset to be too stiff and bulky to wear under her light dress. Using two handkerchiefs and pink ribbon, she sewed an accessory that would be useful, but would be much more comfortable and give her freedom of movement. The lack of a rigid corset allowed her to move and dance freely during the ball, something that was immediately noticed by the women around her who asked her to make them the miracle accessory.
The need for freedom of movement and the desire for comfort, culminating in the changes brought about by World War I, forever removed the corset from daily use.
The evolution of the bra is closely linked to changes in the status of women and the recognition of their rights. Access and freedom to work, the right to vote, access to education, participation in sports activities and a more active life in general, but also changes in fashion have influenced bra design in the following decades. Basically, changes in women's lifestyles are reflected in the changes in linen Evolution is rapid, with each decade leaving its mark on bra style.
In the 1920s, the straight silhouette of dresses needed a bustier bra , with a straight shape and the role of flattening women's breasts.
In 1922, Ida Rosenthal, a Russian immigrant and seamstress working at a New York dress shop, decided to change the straight shape of the bustiers then in use to make women's breasts more prominent and their dresses fit better. The Rosenthal company developed bras in different sizes and was the first to market the nursing bra. In the 1930s, the emphasis was on cups and it was also at that time that SH Camp and Company introduced the method of measuring cups using the letters A, B, C, D. Adjustable straps also began to be used, as did the method of closing bras, which were now adapted to different body sizes and shapes.
Frederick Mellinger puts on the market push-up bra in 1947 and it became an extremely popular accessory. World War II also influenced the construction of the bra, requiring a design that would adapt to the needs of the many women who joined the military and needed a comfortable bra to wear under their uniform.
The conical bra is the most representative of the 1950s, a period when Hollywood influenced women's fashion and choices. Stars like Marilyn Monroe made this model popular, brought back to attention in the 1990s by Madonna.
The bra continues to evolve. The shape, quality of materials and durability are significantly improved, and in 1977 the sports bra is invented, fitness becoming increasingly popular.
From those made of precious materials, real pieces of jewelry full of diamonds, to those with memory foam, bras continue to evolve and adapt to our lifestyle. From modern materials such as fine microfiber, delicate elastic lace, tulle, cotton or elegant satin, bras Today they are ultra comfortable and durable.
We are grateful for their help and we indulge ourselves with the patterns, colors, and materials that today are both comfortable and very beautiful.