Supportive

“A friend is like a good bra: hard to find, comfortable, supportive, always lifts you up, makes you look better, never lets you down or leaves you hanging, and [is] always close to your heart.” (Jasinda Wilder)

The bra is a supportive undergarment that females use to relieve back pain, act as a stylish accessory, and accentuate their bustline. The bra has evolved over the last century from its humble beginnings as a lightweight piece of cloth that replaced the corset. Today, bras are available in an overabundance of sizes, styles, and varying levels of support to fit every female. Women have been binding and supporting their bustline from almost the beginning of time. The first bras date back to ancient Greece where women would wrap bands of fabric across their chests, and tie or pin them in the back.

The modern term “bra” is a shortened word for brasserie, which was first used by American Vogue to describe a smaller and simpler corset in 1907. It comes from the French word meaning "upper arm." It is thought to have originated with the DeBevoise Company, which used the term in advertisements for its whale-bone-supported camisoles. In 1911, the word gained an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary.

The garment that lifts and separates (via cups and straps) became part of the world on November 3, 1914. That was the day a patent was granted to New York socialite, Mary Phelps Jacobs, for the bra. The necessity that drove Jacobs's invention came down to the fashion trends of early-20th-century America. The dresses of the time were cut for slim and boyish figures and plunging necklines. This combination for the well-endowed Jacobs was awkward.

While preparing for a Manhattan debutante ball in 1913, the 19-year-old became frustrated. Jacob created her bra because she did not want to wear a constricting and confining corset. She designed this bra as a lightweight, backless garment using two handkerchiefs and a pink ribbon. The maid and she did some quick sewing as Jacobs tried on the resulting garment. When the ribbons were pulled taut and tied, the effect was similar to what was achieved with a corset. It was much sleeker, and comfortable with the absence of whale bones. The main advantage of the bra as Jacobs noted that it did not bind the female anywhere except where it was needed.

The bra provided a wonderful alternative to women at home.  It served a utilitarian purpose where females were able to completely take off their corsets (not just loosen them), and replace them with a light, loose bra. Mary Phelps Jacob did not gain much fame or fortune from her invention, as she sold the patent rights to The Warner Brothers Corset Company several years later for the modern equivalent of $21,000. Without her invention, the development and evolution of women’s undergarments would not have taken place in the same way that it did. Bras have allowed women to express their freedom and sexuality and will continue to do so in the future.

Did you know that 64% of females are wearing the wrong size bra, and 24% of them know that for a fact? Females often find themselves in a quandary when it comes to making smart bra choices.  Most women share a love-hate relationship with their bras because no matter how much they hate the inconvenience of one; they won’t do without the benefits of it. Below are some tips for every female to fit in the bra best for them:

The band should be parallel to the ground-It should line up evenly from front to back. An easy check is to put one finger in between the two cups and the other on the clasp and make sure they feel even. The band is responsible for 90 percent of the bra's support so it's important to make sure it fits properly.

 You need to know your size (and your sister size)-There’s a wide variation in how bras of the same size will fit from brand to brand even from one style to another. That’s why experts say women should know both their true size (and their sister sizes). If a bra doesn’t fit in your regular size, it might work in your sister size. The rule of thumb is as follows, if you go up in the band, going down in the cup and vice versa.

For example, a 32C could possibly fit a 30D or a 34B. If you’re a 34C, you might find bras that fit better in a 36B or a 32D. Knowing your sister size is useful to accommodate for size differences between brands. It is also a good resource if your “real size” is hard to shop for. People with smaller bands and large cup sizes, or larger bands and smaller cup sizes, will benefit most from sister sizing.

There’s an equation for figuring out your band and cup size-The bra size is a ratio that combines the measurements of your cup (letters AA-M) and band size (numbered 28-44). It’s a really good idea for any female to get a professional bra fitting. You might be surprised what a bra expert will tell you such as you’ve been wearing the wrong size your whole adult life.

To measure at home, you’ll need two measurements: around your back and under your bust for your band size, and around your back over your nipples for your cup size. You’ll then subtract the difference. For example, if your bust measures 35 inches and your under-bust (or rib cage) 32 inches, you’ll be a 32C because 35 minus 32 equals 3, and that number corresponds to the letter “C” in the alphabet.

If your breasts are two different sizes, round up-It’s normal and common to have one breast that is bigger than the other. If the difference is significant enough that it makes bra shopping even more complicated than it already is. Fit to the larger breast. If you want, you can even out the appearance by adding a bra cutlet to the smaller breast, or getting a bra with removable pads and taking them out on the big side.

Full bust, full figure, and plus size mean different things-The most popular sizes for women across the country is between 32DDD and 34G (that’s 32E and 34F in UK bra sizing). More brands offer bras in a range of larger sizing. Women with a small band and large cup size are considered full bust. That includes sizes of a DD cup or larger and a 36 band or less.

Full bust sizes include sizes like 28G, 30F, 32E, and 34H. Plus sizes for bras have a band size of 38 or larger. Full figure encompasses sizes DD+ with a 38 or larger band. All full figure bras are also plus size, but not all plus size bras are full figure: A 38F would be considered full figure and plus size, but a 40B would be just plus size.

Bras don’t last forever, and have to be replaced when it no longer gives you the support needed-The experts say that depending on your size how well you take care of your bras (never put them in dryer), and how many you have on rotation, a good, basic bra should last about a year. Washing them gently by hand (after typically three to four wears) and rotating them (not wearing the same one multiple days in a row) will also help keep the bands from stretching out too quickly. Watch for the sign of your band moving up your back as a signal it’s time for bra replacement.

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"For women... bras, panties, bathing suits, and other stereotypical gear are visual reminders of a commercial, idealized feminine image that our real and diverse female bodies can't possibly fit. Without these visual references, each individual woman's body demands to be accepted on its own terms. We stop being comparatives. We begin to be unique.” (Gloria Steinem) [i]

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[i] Sources used:

 

·        “11 Expert Tips for Finding the Right Bra Size and Fit” By Talia Abbas

·        “18 Types of Bra Every Girl Must Know” by Natasha  

·        “21 Bra Types Every Girl Should Know In 2020: The Complete Bra Style Guide” by Clovia

·        “30 Types of Bras Every Woman Should Know – A Complete Guide “by Pratima Ati

·        “Are you wearing the right bra size? 4 tips you didn't know you needed” By Jordan Muto

·        “History of the Bra” by SexInfoOnline

·     “The Best Bra for Your Breast Type” By Mirel Ketchiff

·     “The First Bra Was Made of Handkerchiefs” by Megan Garber