Bras are an essential garment for many women, but there’s more to them than meets the eye. From their historical origins to their modern-day innovations, bras have evolved over time and have played a significant role in the fashion industry.
In this blog post, we will explore some interesting and lesser-known facts about bras that you may not be aware of. From the world’s most expensive bra to the first sports bra, we’ll delve into the fascinating history of this essential garment and uncover some surprising facts along the way. Whether you’re a bra enthusiast or just curious about the evolution of this iconic garment, this blog post has something for everyone.
The first known bra was invented by a man. In the late 19th century, a man named Caresse Crosby patented a “backless brassiere” that was made of silk and ribbons.
Jacob’s brassiere, from the original patent application.
Bras were originally designed to flatten the breasts, not lift and enhance them. It wasn’t until the 1940s and 1950s that bras began to be designed with the intention of creating a more shapely and youthful appearance.
The world’s most expensive bra was created by Victoria’s Secret and was worth $15 million. It was made with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires and was worn by supermodel Gisele Bündchen in the 2000 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
The average woman owns nine bras, but only wears six of them regularly.
The world’s largest bra collection belongs to a woman named Susan Sheppard, who has more than 6,000 bras in her collection.
The word “brassiere” comes from the French word for “upper arm,” which is “bras.”
The first sports bra was invented in 1977 by Lisa Lindahl, who was inspired to create the garment after noticing that traditional bras were not suitable for jogging.
In China, it is considered good luck to give a red bra as a gift to a newly married couple.
In 2011, a group of women in California attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the largest bra chain by linking together more than 5,000 bras. They succeeded and set a new record.
In the 1920s, bras were considered a symbol of women’s liberation and were worn as a way to free the body from restrictive corsets.
Bras have been made from a variety of materials throughout history, including silk, cotton, wool, and even metal.
In the 1930s, bras were made with a separate cup for each breast, rather than the one-piece cups that are common today.
In the 1940s and 1950s, bullet bras became popular, which were bras with cone-shaped cups that were designed to give the appearance of a fuller bust.
The average bra size for women in the United States is a 34DD, which is larger than the average bra size of a decade ago.
Women in the United States spend an average of $56 on a bra, with the most expensive bras costing several hundred dollars.
The world record for the longest bra chain was set in 2015, when a group of women in Germany linked together more than 18,000 bras to raise awareness for breast cancer.
There is a National Underwear Day that is celebrated on August 5th each year. It was created in 2003 as a way to promote confidence and body positivity.
In some cultures, it is considered taboo to show or expose a bra strap, while in other cultures, it is more common to show off bra straps as a fashion statement.
Some bras are designed with special features, such as built-in pockets for breast pumps, or removable padding for women who have undergone mastectomies.
The bra has inspired numerous cultural references, including songs, movies, and even a book titled “The Bra Book: The Fascinating History of the Bra from Ancient Times to the Present.”
The first patent for a bra with cups was filed in 1893 by Marie Tucek, a New York City socialite.
The first mass-produced bra was created in the 1930s by a company called Maidenform.
In the 1950s, the bra industry experienced a boom due to the influence of Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield, who popularized the hourglass figure.
Some bras have been designed specifically for men who want to achieve a more feminine silhouette, such as the “Manssiere,” which was invented in the early 2000s.
In 2009, a company called Ohya developed a bra that could convert into a gas mask in case of emergency.
The world’s largest bra, which was created in 2011 by Triumph International, measured 8.5 meters (28 feet) in diameter and could fit a person who was 6 meters (20 feet) tall.
In 2019, a company called Nubra developed a bra that could be worn by people with tattoos, as the material was designed to prevent the tattoo ink from smudging or fading.
Some bras have been designed to be worn as outerwear, such as the “bra top,” which was popular in the 1990s.
In the early 20th century, bras were called “bandeaus,” and were made with a single band of fabric that went around the chest.
The first bra with underwire was created in the 1930s by a company called Warners, which was designed to lift and shape the breasts.
In the 1940s and 1950s, bra cups were often made with padding and support structures to create a more shapely and youthful appearance.
In the 1960s, bras with adjustable straps became popular, which made it easier for women to customize the fit of their bras.
In the 1970s, the “minimizer” bra became popular, which was designed to minimize the appearance of large breasts.
In the 1980s, bras with lace and frills became popular, as well as bras with push-up padding to enhance the appearance of the bust.
In the 1990s, the “bralette” became popular, which is a type of bra that is made with minimal support and is often worn as a fashion accessory.
In 2013, a group of women in India broke the Guinness World Record for the largest bra chain, when they linked together more than 10,000 bras to raise awareness for breast cancer.
In 2014, a company called Cake Lingerie created a bra that could be converted into a nursing bra, which made it easier for breastfeeding mothers to feed their babies.
In 2017, a company called ThirdLove developed a bra that could be customized to fit the unique shape of a woman’s breasts, using a 3D scanning technology called Fit Finder.
In 2018, a company called Soma developed a bra that could be worn with one strap or two, depending on the wearer’s preference.
In the 19th century, women in Europe and the United States often wore corsets to shape and support their bodies, which often included a built-in bra.
Bras have a long and interesting history that is full of surprises and innovations. From their original purpose of flattening the breasts to the modern-day trend towards natural-looking, comfortable bras, the evolution of this garment has been shaped by cultural and societal trends. Whether you’re a bra enthusiast or just interested in the history of this iconic garment, there is always more to learn about bras.
We hope that this blog post has provided some interesting and lesser-known facts about bras that you may not have known before. So next time you slip on your favorite bra, remember that there is a rich history behind this essential garment and that it has come a long way since its humble beginnings.
