Breasts, Bras & Beyond (1) – BRA History
BRA-The Name
Info Source
Bra is short for “brassière”. French brassière – child’s jacket with sleeves. Bras, arm from Latin bracchium – brachium.
The French word brassière refers to a baby’s vest (undershirt) or lifebelt, under-bodice or harness. The word brassière derives from bracière, an Old French word meaning “arm protector” and referring to military uniforms (bras in French means “arm”). This later became used for a military breast plate, and later for a type of woman’s corset. The current French term for brassière is soutien-gorge, literally, “held under the neck” or “throat-support”. In French, gorge (throat) was a common euphemism for the breast.
The term “brassiere” seems to have come into use in the English language about 1893. Manufacturers were using the term by about 1904, Vogue magazine first used it in 1907, and by 1911 the word had made its way into the Oxford English Dictionary.
- sujetador– Spanish (from sujetar, to hold)
- sutiã -Portuguese
- “BH”– what Germans, Swedes, Danes and Dutch call the BRA, and it’s an acronym for büstenhalter, bysthållare, brysteholdere and bustehouder (bust-holder)
- mamzono – Esperanto (breast-belt)
Other nicknames for the bra:
“over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder”
“upper-decker flopper-stopper”
BRA History
Info Source
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| Support of the bosom by a bodice (French: brassiere) from 1900 Image Source |
Throughout recorded history, women have used a variety of garments and devices to cover, restrain, or elevate their breasts. Brassiere or bikini-like garments are depicted on some female athletes in the 14th century BC during the Minoan civilization era. Similar functionality was achieved by both outerwear and underwear. In China during the Ming Dynasty a form of foundation cloth complete with cups and straps drawn over shoulders and tied to the girth seam at the lower back called a dudou (literally ‘belly cover’) was in vogue among rich women.
Since then, bras have replaced corsets and bra manufacture and sale has become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Over time, the emphasis on bras has largely shifted from functionality to fashion.
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| Today, there is a wide range of brassiere styles available, designed to match different body types, situations, and outer wear. The degree of shaping and coverage of the breasts varies between styles, as do functionality, fashion, fit, fabric, and color. (Image & Info Source) |
through the years:
In ancient Rome having ‘bountiful bust’ was unstylish, so 3rd century girls used to wrap bandages around themselves. These bands initially known as aspodesmos or mastodenton was made to flatten breasts and secure during athletics.
(Info and Image Source)
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| “ADD-vantage” A bra that promised to turn small figures into eye catchers Bra ad from the 1950’s Image Source 
Marilyn Monroe boosted her famous curves by slipping on a complex piece of underwear that was the 1950s equivalent of a Wonderbra.
The Hollywood siren enhanced her 36D chest using a double cup and a system of straps that resembled a suspension bridge. Her lace bra was edged with cream velvet piping and sculpted in the distinctive cone style of the 1950s.
‘The bra looks very complicated at first glance and it actually has four cups inside it – sort of like an early Wonderbra’.
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| MADONNA in a Jean Paul Gaultier creation, 1990 Image Source  Dove’s campaign for |
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| What I love about this ad campaign is that it encourages women to embrace their natural shape and beauty. |
One of the toughest things to shop for is a bra and I think this Cowboy poetry that I found on the internet is worth sharing with you today, enjoy!
Cowboy poetry–buying a bra
By Bill Hirschi
(Source)
You know, I’ve never been much for shopping
In fact I try to stay away from town –
Except when shipping time comes,
I ain’t easily found.
But the day came when I had to go
And I left the kids with Ma.
But before I left, she asked me,
“Would you pick me up a bra?”
Without thinkin’ I said “sure,”
How tough could that job be?
I bent down and kissed her
and said, “I’ll be back by three.”
Well, when I done the things I needed
I started to regret
Ever offering to buy that thing,
I was working up a sweat.
I crossed the street to the ladies shop
With my hat pulled over my eyes,
I wasn’t takin’ any chances
On bein’ recognized.
I walked right up to the sales clerk
I didn’t hem or haw.
I told the lady right straight out,
“Ma’am, I’m here to buy a bra.”
From behind I heard some snickers
So I turned around to see
At least fifteen women in the store,
And they’s all gawkin’ at me!
“What kind would you be looking for?
“
”Well,” I just scratched my head.
I’d only seen one kind before
“Thought bras was bras,” I said.
She gives me a disgusted look
”Well sir, that’s where you’re wrong.
Come with me,” I heard her say,
And like a dog, I tagged along.
She took me down this alley
Where bras was on display.
Well I thought my jaw’d hit the floor
When I seen that lingerie.
They had all these different styles
That I’d not seen before -
I thought that I’d go crazy
‘fore I left that women’s store.
They had bras you wear for eighteen hours,
And bras that cross your heart.
There was bras that lift and separate,
And that was just the start.
They had bras that made you feel
Like you weren’t wearing one at all.
And bras that you can train in
When you start off when you’re small.
Well, I finally made my mind up
Picked a black and lacy one.
I told the lady,
“Bag it up,” And figured I was done.
But then she asked me for the size.
I didn’t hesitate.
I knew them measurements by heart,
“Six and seven eighths.”
”Six and seven eighths, well sir,
That really isn’t right.”
“Oh yes ma’am, I’m positive,
I just measured them last night.”
I thought that she’d go into shock,
Musta took her by surprise.
When I told her that my wife’s bust
Was the same as my hat size.
“That’s what I use to measure with,
I figured it was fair;
But If I’m wrong I’m sorry ma’am.”
This drew another stare.
By now a crowd had gathered
And they’s all crackin’ up.
When the lady asked to see my hat,
To measure for the cup.
When she finally had it figured
I gave the gal her pay
I turned to leave the store,
Tipped my hat and said, “Good day.”
My wife heard the whole story
‘fore I ever made it home.
She’d talked to fifteen women
Who’d called her on the phone.
She was still a-laughin’
But by then I didn’t care.
Now she don’t ask and I don’t shop
For no more women’s underwear.
DAILY DOSE OF ART 
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