Charmelle 28

1907, was the year when the word brassiere was first reported in an American copy of Vogue. Most major designers of the era tried to lay claim to designing the first bra but in 1914 a woman by the name Mary Phelps-Jacobs patented the first bra and thus gives her the credit for the first bra even though it is known that other bras were around before this.

The Corset can be traced back to about 2000 BC and thru time woman used different methods to support or restrict the breasts from moving. My belief is that as time evolved so did the bra and some people can take credit for different design elements in the bra but many have played a hand in the concept and development as we know it today.

Why do we need more than one style of bras? Look at how many different necklines woman wear and believe it or not, every style of bra gives us a different shape, which enhances each neckline. For example: a balconet bra goes great under a sweetheart neckline; a plunge bra works with a low V neckline; a demi-cup bra gives a clean line to a square neck top; So if you are ever wondering how many bras you should have, think of 2 for each different neckline you wear… and don’t forget your basic everyday or t-shirt bra.

Some woman will say every day, others would say never. Well a lot of it depends on the individual’s personality. How daring are you? European woman are more inclined to let a little lace show, adding a feminine touch. If you are going to pay for it, what is wrong with tastefully showing a little? I think the best way to wear a lace bra is with a woven shirt, as woven materials do not cling to the body like a knit top. Every woman should have a couple of sexy lace bras with matching bottoms in their lingerie drawer; we never know when we are going to need them.

We should place our arms though the straps, the same as we would the sleeves of a dress, them lean forward and let the girls drop into the cups making sure the band is under the breast, sliding our fingers around the band and fastening it at the back. This will ensure that we get a good fit without putting extra stress on the bra. The earlier we start doing it the right way the easier it is to do it right, like most things bad habits are hard to break.

You should replace your bra every 6 months. Most bras get worn out after 6 months and they lose their fit. In addition to the bra wearing out, is the fact that women’s bodies change all the time, due to a variety of reasons, such as losing weight, getting pregnant, giving birth, …And as mentioned in previous postings, wearing the wrong fitting bra can cause some strain on the back and shoulders, and can make the woman look less than her best. Therefore it is recommended that every women changes her bra every 6 months, and get professionally fitted once or twice a year at least.

Many women have heard by now that they are wearing the wrong size bra, from various shows such as Oprah, and other sources. However, the question that still comes up is: So what? I may be wearing the wrong size bra, but I am comfortable in it, and anyway it is under my clothing so who cares?

The answer is that every woman should care. Although an old bra may feel comfortable, it is still putting strain on your back or shoulders if it is the wrong size. Besides, the way the body looks with the right sized bra cannot be overemphasized. I have had women tell me that once they wore the right fitting bra, a lot of people asked them if they lost weight!! This is due to the fact that with a right size bra overall body-shape looks so much better.