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Bras
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Published: September 20, 2006
A bra or brassiere is an undergarment that supports and covers the breast.
The main reason for wearing bras is to provide external support, thereby increasing mobility and comfort. If left unfettered, breast tissue is not strong enough to hold the breast up. A second reason many women wear bras is because many of them believe they will help to prevent or prolong sagging breasts. This claim, however, is disputed within the medical community.
Bras, in some form, have been around as long as breasts have; however, Herminie Cadolle did not invent the modern brassiere until 1889. This was actually a two-piece undergarment called le bien-etre (French for well-being) with a corset for the waist while the breasts were supported by straps.
Sixteen years later, in 1905, the upper-half was sold separately as le soutien-gorge, a name the French still use when speaking of bras. Contrary to popular belief about the modern brassiere in the United States, Mary Phelps Jacobs was not the first to receive a patent for the bra, known as bust-supporters at the time. Patents for bust-supporters had been around since the 1860s, but it was not until 1914 when Jacobs received the first patent in a new category of brassiere.
Bust-supporters, or brassieres, are available in a variety of styles. Bras are a lot like shoes and, if you do not know what choices are available, you run the risk of being stuck in something run-of-the-mill, offering little support and unnecessary pain. There are now so many types of bras available glossaries describing form and function are necessary.
The full-support bra is designed to offer steady support for the whole breast; therefore, it is ideal for everyday wear. These types of bras are most comfortable in cotton with soft-cups, but if extra support is needed, try one with molded cups and double lining.
A nostalgic drive down memory lane is not complete without reminiscing about the first forays into womanhood; training bras offer little support and are merely used to train a young girl in how to wear a bra when her breasts fill in. They were invented in the 1950s in response to adolescent girls’ desire to fit in among her more developed peers. Training bras have no underwire and are designed for girls entering the early stages of breast development.
Push-up bras are God’s gift to men disguised as God’s gift to women with small breasts. The push-up bra has additional padding in the form of silicone or foam, and is designed to push up the breasts and maximize cleavage. These bras are great for low-cut or plunge necklines.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are minimizer bras available for women who are overly blessed in the chest. By compressing the breasts, they help to give the appearance of a reduction of one cup size.
Shelf-bras actually refer to two different types of bras. The first type of shelf bra only covers the bottom half of the breast, leaving the nipples and top half of the breast exposed. This is akin to the balconette bra. The other type of shelf-bra is interchangeable with “built-in bra.” These bra-like structures often are built into camisoles, tank tops and swimsuit tops.
One bra every woman should own is the convertible bra. These multi-tasking bras can be worn as a strapless bra with strapless tops or dresses, as a halter bra for use with halter tops, as one-shoulder bras and as balconette bras. Truly outstanding convertible bras also can be worn with low-backed tops or dresses.
T-shirt bras are another good choice for everyday wear. These offer the same support as the full-support bra, but are seamless and therefore ideal to wear underneath tight t-shirts.
No matter what type of bra you choose to wear, remember one thing: It must always lift and separate.
Sources
“Brassiere”. 18 September 2006. Wikipedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/brassiere
“10 Types of Bras.” 22 August 2006. Full Figure Plus. 19 September 2006. http://fullfigureplus.com/
The main reason for wearing bras is to provide external support, thereby increasing mobility and comfort. If left unfettered, breast tissue is not strong enough to hold the breast up. A second reason many women wear bras is because many of them believe they will help to prevent or prolong sagging breasts. This claim, however, is disputed within the medical community.
Bras, in some form, have been around as long as breasts have; however, Herminie Cadolle did not invent the modern brassiere until 1889. This was actually a two-piece undergarment called le bien-etre (French for well-being) with a corset for the waist while the breasts were supported by straps.
Sixteen years later, in 1905, the upper-half was sold separately as le soutien-gorge, a name the French still use when speaking of bras. Contrary to popular belief about the modern brassiere in the United States, Mary Phelps Jacobs was not the first to receive a patent for the bra, known as bust-supporters at the time. Patents for bust-supporters had been around since the 1860s, but it was not until 1914 when Jacobs received the first patent in a new category of brassiere.
Bust-supporters, or brassieres, are available in a variety of styles. Bras are a lot like shoes and, if you do not know what choices are available, you run the risk of being stuck in something run-of-the-mill, offering little support and unnecessary pain. There are now so many types of bras available glossaries describing form and function are necessary.
The full-support bra is designed to offer steady support for the whole breast; therefore, it is ideal for everyday wear. These types of bras are most comfortable in cotton with soft-cups, but if extra support is needed, try one with molded cups and double lining.
A nostalgic drive down memory lane is not complete without reminiscing about the first forays into womanhood; training bras offer little support and are merely used to train a young girl in how to wear a bra when her breasts fill in. They were invented in the 1950s in response to adolescent girls’ desire to fit in among her more developed peers. Training bras have no underwire and are designed for girls entering the early stages of breast development.
Push-up bras are God’s gift to men disguised as God’s gift to women with small breasts. The push-up bra has additional padding in the form of silicone or foam, and is designed to push up the breasts and maximize cleavage. These bras are great for low-cut or plunge necklines.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are minimizer bras available for women who are overly blessed in the chest. By compressing the breasts, they help to give the appearance of a reduction of one cup size.
Shelf-bras actually refer to two different types of bras. The first type of shelf bra only covers the bottom half of the breast, leaving the nipples and top half of the breast exposed. This is akin to the balconette bra. The other type of shelf-bra is interchangeable with “built-in bra.” These bra-like structures often are built into camisoles, tank tops and swimsuit tops.
One bra every woman should own is the convertible bra. These multi-tasking bras can be worn as a strapless bra with strapless tops or dresses, as a halter bra for use with halter tops, as one-shoulder bras and as balconette bras. Truly outstanding convertible bras also can be worn with low-backed tops or dresses.
T-shirt bras are another good choice for everyday wear. These offer the same support as the full-support bra, but are seamless and therefore ideal to wear underneath tight t-shirts.
No matter what type of bra you choose to wear, remember one thing: It must always lift and separate.
Sources
“Brassiere”. 18 September 2006. Wikipedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/brassiere
“10 Types of Bras.” 22 August 2006. Full Figure Plus. 19 September 2006. http://fullfigureplus.com/
