Body intimates: The history of the bra

Mastatedon, mamilare or strophium
The first images of bra’s date back to the ancient Greek and Rome. The women used to wear pieces of cloth around their breast to keep them from moving during exercise and sport. They were called Mastatedon, mamilare or strophium.



1900
In the beginning of 1900 the first bra’s as we known them where created. It grew out to be one of the most feminine garments that we know. 1904 One of the first bra’s consisted out of stitched cotton with ribs. It was known as the bust improver. Because it was designd to make the breast look smaller so emphasis was on the bum. 1914 Marie Phelps Jacob created here own bra with handkerchiefs and ribbons. 1914 Paul poiret designed the soutien gorge, a bra that closes in the front.

1920s
During time woman started to play sports and became more and more active. Special girdles and bra’s where designed so the body could move more freely. The round and natural shapes of a woman became more and more visible and also more prominent. 1925 Rosalinda Klin designed the ketos bra. A flexible bra which crosses in the middle and makes it comfortable for different cup sizes 1928 Padding is introduced for the first time. Functions more as enhancer then as a supporter. It’s not a big hit



1930s
During the 1930s bra’s where mainly used to separate the breast. Padding came back and for the first time different sizes where introduced. Different models allowed women to choose how the wanted to present themselves.

1935
Introduction of cup sizes.

1935
First strapless bra

1940s
During the second world war it was to expensive to accessorize and ornament underwear. Durability was important for underwear. When the war was over designers enjoyed their new found freedom. Nylon was introduced. En because more and more women exercised bras became more flexible. Back and shoulder straps where made flexible and sizes fit better because not only the breast size but also the size of the torso was introduced. 1948 Fredrick’s of Hollywood designed the first push-up bra. Cross stitching created extra support. Berlei created the Hollywood Maxwell bra, with round stitched cups.


1950s
During the 1950s the world was divided. In France apple shaped breast where fashionable while in the United states cone shaped breast where the way to go. The Hollywood Maxwell bra from Berlei, designed end 1940 created this shape. Howard Hughs designed a bra with metal wire for one of his movies. By pushing the breast up and together this created a new look for the breast. This resulted in a whole new generation of icons, based on this new bust line. The popularity of the bra grew. 1956 Because the growing popularity of the bra and the growing income of the American teens a whole new market opened up. The first Teen bra was introduced. A soft wireless bra.

1960
The hippie movement started and women felt restricted by the bra. Total or partially nudity made the bra les and les popular. Women who do wear bra’s choose soft bra’s that don’t force the breast in any direction. The flower power fashion had great influences on the design and look of bras. A lot of colour and prints. But also transparent came into fashion. Embroidered tulle and lace where in fashion. Stretch , bikini and elastic underwear where introduced. The first sports bra was introduced. At the end of the 1960s this al started to change slowly. The first ‘Wonder bra’ was introduced, and changing the breast, creating well shaped, full breast became a new priority.



1970s
The Disco age started and satin made its return. Sensuality and sexapeal became more and more important. Soft, silky, shiny fabrics fitted with these desires. Half way in to the seventies the cups return to the bra. Punk was introduced and influences of SM where seen in underwear. 1977 runners Linda Miller and Lisa Lindahl designed the Jogbra.

1980s
The early 80s where dominated by glamour and luxury. Glitter and glamour where introduced into underwear and padding became a standard. The colours where modest mainly black, crème, brown and white. Later aerobics became a trend. Sportive was the new fashion also in underwear. During this time the sports bra went thru a big development.



1990s
With the start of the 1990s artist like Madonna re-introduced the corset. And the started wearing the corset and bra’s as clothing. This changed little by little and grunge became the new fashion. The big glamorous fashion from the 80s disappeared and skinny models and an androgen, unisex look became the new look. This also changed when the wonder bra was re introduced, breast had to be together and up. Bra’s where available in different colours and a lot of women and girls where showing their coloured bra straps from under their clothes, flirting with their femininity.

Millennium and beyond
In 2001 the movie Moulin rouge played in theatres. Corsets, ornamenting and accessorizing on underwear returned. Even the maternity bra, that had been so dull for years, finally got new and fashionable designs. There is experimented in different directions like a bra that will help you to quit smoking and a bra that can detect breast cancer.