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Bras are something that no woman can probably live without. Bras are available in various colours, sizes, and shapes. But have bras always been so fashionable as they are today? The bras we so fondly wear and flaunt have a long history. Let’s understand the history of brassieres and gain some insights into how they have evolved over the years.
The Inventor Of The Bra
In case you didn’t know, there’s an inventor for the bra, too. Surprised? Mary Phelps Jacob invented the bra in 1910. Yes, your bra’s origin dates back to the early 90s. Before bras, women relied on corsets for support and shape. But corsets were too restrictive and uncomfortable.
What did the first bra look like?
Mary made the first bra with two handkerchiefs and a pink ribbon. After several changes and innovations, the bra evolved to become the bra that we see today.
When did the word brassiere come into existence?
Before 1910, women used to wear bra-like garments for better shape and support. The word brassiere was first used by Vogue magazine in 1907. Following Mary’s invention of the modern bra, the word made its official entry into the Oxford English Dictionary.
Looking back at the pre-bra era
What did women wear before 1910? Let’s go back to 1400 and find out more about the evolution of the brassiere. During the 1400s, women covered their breasts with bandeau-like tops.
In the late 1400s, breast bags came into existence. The period between 1480 to 1600 was predominantly ruled by breast bags. Cut to 1600, corsets made their entry into women’s wardrobes. These corsets were made of tough materials like wood and whalebone.
The bra underwent a major transformation when the French designer Herminie Cadolle split the corset into two parts, with a top and a bottom. This was the first time in the history of brassieres that a bra was split into two parts.
In 1893, Maria Tucek invented the breast supporter. This breast supporter resembled an underwired bra.
1900 saw the rise of girdles. Women relied on girdles for a better shape. The brassiere was finally invented and patented in 1910 by Mary Phelps Jacob.
Post-invention era
By 1920, women bid goodbye to painful corsets and started using tight bandeau tops. Until 1943, bras underwent several innovations in design. Bras gained more structure and shape with changes in design over the years. Flat silhouettes ruled the 1920s era. The 1930s saw the addition of adjustable shoulder straps.
Cut to 1943, Albert A Glasser invented and patented the first nursing bra. Padded bras ruled the 1960s. Finally, in 1977, lingerie shops came into existence to facilitate comfortable shopping experiences when it comes to undergarments.
Red carpet entry
Did you know bras made it to the red carpet events? Bras were no longer just undergarments but powerful fashion statements in 1980. Top celebrities turned heads with glamorous bras. From just an undergarment to a fashion statement, bras have evolved to empower women in more ways than one.
Bra becomes a billion-dollar industry
Thanks to the active contribution of fashion designers and entrepreneurs, the bra became a billion-dollar industry in 2001. Seamless bras, printed t-shirt bras, contour bras, and padded bras flooded the market. Women now have a range of options to choose from. Bikini bras, bralettes, and several other varieties emerged post-2005. Lingerie shops grew in numbers. Women became more aware of choosing the correct bra size.
It is interesting to study the evolution of the brassiere as it reflects how undergarments have grown to become more comfort-oriented and fashionable. The next time you go for bra shopping, remember that the bra you are wearing today is a result of the inventions and innovations of several visionary and fashion-forward men and women.
