Love them or hate them, bras have become a staple in our lives. From bandeaus, sports bras, bralettes, and underwire ones, there are tons of styles available in the market to suit each and every body type. It has definitely come a *long* way since Ancient Rome, where the first record of women supporting their breasts was recorded. Below, check out the colorful history of our ~breast~ friends:
Mamillare (Ancient Rome)
Back in Ancient Rome, big breasts were frowned upon, as they were seen as a characteristic of aging or unattractive women. To cover them up and flatten them, young girls would wear a tight band of cloth (also called fascia) around their breasts. They believed that doing so would prevent sagging and overly large mammaries.
Corset (the 1500s)
Before bras took off, corsets were the main weapon of choice for women. These body-cinching contraptions pushed up their breasts and highlighted their figure, giving them that desired hourglass shape. They were popularized by Queen Catherine de' Medici, wife of King Henry II. The women of the French court quickly followed suit. They have seen an emergence in recent years, however, as celebs like Kim Kardashian regularly use it for waist training.
Symington (the 1920s)
In the flapper era of the roaring '20s, the "boyish" silhouette or androgynous style was more favored. This was characterized by short hair and a flat-chested look. The bras in this decade were in the form of the Symington, which aimed to minimize feminine curves with lines that were inspired by Cubist painters.
Maiden Form (the late 1920s)
The Maiden Form, a company founded by Ida Rosenthal and her husband, produced bras that were meant to counter the "boyish" look that the early '20s favored. They aimed to embrace the natural shape of a woman's figure.
Underwire bra (the 1930s to 1940s)
In the 1930s, the word "brassiere" was eventually shortened to just "bra." The practice of using letters and numbers to measure cups started in this decade, too. In this era, women's undergarment of choice was the underwire bra, which featured wires inside the fabric that helped lift, shape, and support girls' breasts.
Bullet bra (the 1950s to 1960s)
A buxom figure was favored in this era, which paved the way for the invention of the bullet bra. It was cone-shaped with spiral stitching that was meant to add an extra cup size to women's busts. Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe usually wore it under sweaters to give them the appearance of having a bigger chest.
Sheer bra (the 1960s)
By the time the '60s rolled around, the groovy, hippie flower child movement was in full swing. This gave birth to the invention of the sheer bra, which had no underwire or lining at all. This gave the appearance of wearing "nothing" underneath.
Jogbra (the 1970s to 1980s)
The '70s and '80s saw a rise in interest for sports and fitness, and thus, the "Jogbra" (aka sports bra) was invented. Before it came to be the design we all know and love today, the Jogbra was originally made by sewing together two men's jockstraps.
WonderBra (the 1990s)
20 years after it was invented, a push-up bra called the WonderBra, finally experienced a boom in sales. This style remains popular, even today, for its ability to give women the appearance of a bigger bust sans the discomfort.
Combining fashion, sexiness, and comfort (the 2000s to present time)
After more than a century of uncomfortable bras, manufacturers found a way to combine fashion and sexiness without sacrificing comfort. Bras now come in all sorts of styles, sizes, and fabrics, giving us a wider variety to choose from.
Sources: Glamour, Good Housekeeping
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