Women's Bras - Yesterday, Today and Beyond

Bras have been around for thousands of years, but were not widely known until the Edwardian period. These bras did not look like the bras we know today. They were very utilitarian in design and had many straps and cinches to improve ones form.

Bras began to become main stream when Mary Phelps-Jacob patented her design in 1914. The prototype was actually made of two silk handkerchiefs and some baby ribbon. As in many cases Mrs. Phelps -Jacob was not able to make a business out of her prototype and sold the patent rights for $1500. The company that bought that patent made millions of dollars selling bras.

Women's breasts were now sized by inches and the industry exploded. In today's world the bra takes many forms and styles. Some are utilitarian like the first bras, but still look and wear like clothing. Many contemporary bras are now lingerie and are meant to be seen without outerwear. Shapers, under wire, minimizer, enhancer and many more styles are available to help women get their desired look.

Sports bras are an entire industry now. From a young age women use sports bras to help them compete and look good while doing a wide variety of activities. These types of bras became hugely popular when Brandy Chastain of the women's US national soccer team, ripped her shirt off and showed her sports bra to a cheering world when they won the championship.

Seeing models and sports figures in bras on the covers of magazines and billboards is commonplace now. We have become a society that sees undergarments as a fashion statement.