Corsets, Pieces of Fabric, and Bullet Bras: The Eventful History of the Bra
Did you know that bras were invented over a hundred years ago? In 1913, American Mary Phelps Jacob patented a bra in New York. Jacob found corsets uncomfortable and wanted to revolutionize undergarments for the modern woman.
Technically, though, the history of bras goes back even further. In the late 1800s, Marie Tucek patented her own bra invention. Her goal was different, however: while Jacob sought to make bras more comfortable and provide support for women’s breasts, Tucek aimed to conceal them.
Corsets, the grandmother of the bra, also provided breast support. Introduced in the 1500s, corsets were designed to lift the breasts and shape women’s upper bodies to fit the ideal proportions of the time.
For centuries, women have alternated between covering and lifting their breasts as fashions and the support garments available to them have changed. Historical records suggest, for example, that Cretan priestesses used fabric to hold their breasts in place as early as 1500 BCE.
Jacob is considered something of a mother of the bra, having begun developing comfortable bras using two pieces of silk fabric and a ribbon. Lightweight bandeau bras became fashionable in the 1920s, and the spirit of the times also helped Jacob’s bra take off: women were entering the workforce, and corsets, which were still widely worn at the time, got in the way.
In the 1930s, bras began to be mass-produced. Bra design evolved, and bras with cups became mainstream. The bra company S.H. Camp and Company developed the modern cup sizing chart, so one size no longer had to fit everyone. Instead, bras were made to better meet the needs of customers of different sizes.
In the 1940s, padded bras that lifted the bust came into fashion. The following decade brought excitement over another new invention: the bullet bra, later worn by pop star Madonna, became a talking point.
Sports bras were invented in the 1970s as the fitness trend gained momentum, and by then bras had firmly established their place in women’s wardrobes.
In the 2000s, bra styles are more varied than ever. Explore Meritta Bra’s collection and find your favorites in its extensive selection.
For help choosing a bra today, consult the bra size guide and the article on the importance of comfort in bra fashion.