History of the Bra
In 2500 BC, Greek woman on the isle of Crete started wearing a garment resembling a bra pushing their bare breasts up and out of their clothing. Then Roman woman squeezed their breasts into a breast band to minimize their busts and Egyptian women painted their breasts.
In 1913 Mary Phelps Jacob came up with the idea of a bra-like garment to wear under a gown that was sheer. Taking two hankies, ribbon, and cord she devised a bra. And women started ordering these from her. In 1914 she patented her idea and it was titled “‘Backless Brassiere’. Jacob later sold her company to Warners Brothers Corset Company for $1,500.
Before Jacob had her brilliant idea women had been wearing binding corsets or the union suit which was woolen and warm but not supporting or flattering.
In 1893 Marie Tucek patented the “Breast Supporter”. It had separate pockets for each breast, shoulder straps, and hooks and eyes.
In 1907 Vogue used the word brassiere from the French word upper arm.
In the 1920’s Ida and William Rosenthal forming the Maidenform Company. (see bio)
Howard Hughes used his aeronautical skills to design a bra for Jane Russell, making her an overnight sensation.
The 1930’s saw the shortening of the word brassiere to bra.
The 1940’s developed with added padding to the cups.
With the 1950’s came the design of the bullet bra.
In the late 1960’s, many women decided to burn their bras. It was considered an act of liberation and empowerment in a male dominated society.
Written by alonesolo/fashiontales
1920s bra with busk hook
Courtesy of dorotheaseclosetvintage
1930s bra
Courtesy of thevintagemerchant
Late1930s nursing bra
Courtesy of alleycats
Vintage late 1930s bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
1940s Bali Bra
Courtesy of pleasurequeen
Vintage 1940s Lady May bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
Vintage 1940s bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
Vintage 1940s bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
1950s Exquisite Form Bullet Bra
Courtesy of Pennidrea
Vintage mid 1950s petal burst Wonder bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
Vintage late 1950s bullet bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
1950s bullet bra
Courtesy of thevintagemerchant
Vintage late 1950s satin Grenier bustier
Courtesy of gilo49
Vintage 1960s Amethyst bullet bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
Vintage Diabolic bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
Vintage late 1960s front close bra
Courtesy of gilo49
Vintage 1960s My S Ross bra
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing@sympatico.ca
1960s Maidenform box
Courtesy of flannerycrane
1960s Maidenform box
Courtesy of flannerycrane
1960s Exquisite Form box
Courtesy of flannerycrane
Vintage 1960s Sarong bra
Courtesy of gilo49
1965 Mary Quant Bra from her first line
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie
Vintage late 1960s/early 1970s Corette front close bra
Courtesy of gilo49
1970s Loveable Bra
Courtesy of alonesolo/fashiontales
Vintage 1970s Pucci bra
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing
Vintage 1970s Lucy bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
Vintage mid 1970s Gossard Wonderbra
Courtesy of Jonathan Walford/Kickshaw Productions
Vintage late 1970s Grenier Love Latch bra
Courtesy of gilo49
Vintage 1980s Keri Vanderschuittulle bustier
Courtesy of poppys vintage clothing on ruby lane
Vintage 1980s Breathless bustier
Courtesy of poppys vintage clothing on ruby lane
1990s Aubade bustier
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
1990s Aubade sports bra
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
1990s bustier with garters
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
1990s bustier with garters
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
