Brassiere
Do you ever wonder about the origins of the brassiere as a part of women’s clothing? It is more commonly known by its nickname, bra. It is a piece of clothing, a small one in fact, that supports the breasts and helps shape a woman’s figure. A brassiere also helps a woman take care of her breasts more because it can enhance the shape of the breast and prevent sagging and bumping. A brassier also enhances cleavage and the general attractiveness of a woman wearing it.
The brassiere, however, is a fairly recent innovation from the more traditional corset used in the late nineteenth and very early twentieth century. Mary Phelps Jacob is the one credited in inventing the brassiere and introducing it to the public. The brassiere was invented in 1913 after Jacob found out that the tradition corset reinforced by whaleback bones being worn in those times were visible in the clothes worn and can be seen in the plunging neckline. Jacob’s alternative was a very crude brassiere made up of handkerchief and pink ribbons.
A brassiere usually has two cups, which are intended for the breasts. It has a panel at the center, a piece of garter or cloth that runs under the breasts and around the midsection of the body. To keep the cups in place, there are shoulder straps in place. The cups of the breasts used to have underwires so that they would be more durable. Nowadays, however, plastic is mainly being used. There is also a fastener at the back of the brassier in order for the brassiere to fit well in a woman’s breasts.
In order to enhance the attractiveness of a woman’s body, some kinds of brassiere do have padding and the purpose of this is to enhance the cleavage and make the breast appear firmer and bigger.
