10 bra-loving facts about bras

Whether we like it or not, bras are part of many people’s daily lives! In fact, women make up 50% of the world’s population, so many will be affected by them at some point in their lives. Buying these clothing items can be difficult, but once you get the hang of it, you can choose from a variety of colors, patterns, materials and shapes of bras.

Although bras may seem like a trivial, everyday item of clothing, bras have created a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. Bras have gone through countless transformations throughout history, and there are lots of fun facts from start to finish. So let’s reveal some fun facts about bras!

Related: Top 10 Misconceptions About Historical Clothing and Fashion

10 The predecessor of the bra: corsets

Despite bras being an important part of people’s lives today, they weren’t always the soft, squishy material we know and love. According to NPR, corsets were created in the early 16th century and were the precursor to the modern bra. The corsets of this period were thin, stiff cages made of wood, metal or whalebone – whale… that sounds uncomfortable! Despite their uncomfortable makeup, corsets soon became mandatory for middle- to upper-class women.

Years later, however, a metal shortage arose in the United States. This shortage led to the US War Industry Board banning the purchase of corsets so that the metal used to manufacture corsets could be made available for the war effort. After this ban, more than 28,000 pounds (12,700 kilograms) of steel – enough to build two battleships – was freed up for use in the war effort. When the war ended, corsets became old news and a new item of clothing was born: bras! (LINK1) ^[1]

9 Old bras

Although bras were not patented until the 20th century, some fascinating discoveries from ancient times have indicated that bras are a long-standing clothing item. In 2012, The guard reported on the discovery of four 600-year-old bras in an Austrian castle. This discovery was groundbreaking and dates bras to the Middle Ages rather than the 20th century.

Hilary Davidson, fashion curator at the Museum of London, stated that these bras “look exactly like one [modern] bra.” Furthermore, as the aforementioned NPR article states, “The very first bra most likely dates to ancient Greece, when women wrapped a band of wool or linen over their breasts and pinned or tied it in the back.” Even though bras weren’t patented until 100 years ago, ancient women were smart enough to make their own supportive clothing.^[2]

8 A historic DIY project

While bras and bras were made and used before 1914, Caresse Crosby was the woman who officially patented the first modern bra in the United States. On the fateful day of the invention, Crosby was preparing for a debutante ball. In addition to a lengthy preparation process, Crosby had to squeeze into a stiff, tight corset before putting on her dress. However, the corset protruded from her dress and looked like “a box-like armor of boning and pink cordage.”

Luckily, Caresse had a creative mind and decided to make her own bra! Caresse said to her maid, “Bring me two handkerchiefs and a pink ribbon.” Once Caresse and her maid received the materials, they assembled a makeshift bra from scratch. Her colleagues loved her creation and in no time Caresse was able to patent her bra, launching the evolution of the bra into the modern bras we know today.^[3]

7 Mark Twain: an unexpected contribution

That’s right – Mark Twain, the author of the classic book Tom Sawyer, coined the “Father of All Literature,” invented an integral part of today’s bras: the bra clasp. Well, a little… In reality, his invention came to fruition because he found braces uncomfortable, so he wanted to create an alternative.

In 1871, Twain invented the “multi-purpose elastic fastener,” stating that “the nature of my invention consists of an adjustable and detachable elastic belt for vests, trousers, or other articles of clothing requiring belts.” Unfortunately, his creation did not become popular because of the garments he intended, but it did catch on with the bra! So the next time you’re struggling with your bra clasp, you can thank (or blame!) Mark Twain.^[4]

6 The ‘Jock Bra’, also known as the sports bra

Before sports bras were created, working out could be a painful endeavor. Without support, many women suffered while running or doing other athletic activities. Before the invention of the bra, women still had to wear corsets for sports such as tennis, even in long dresses. Honda Miller, Lisa Lindahl and Polly Smith knew this pain all too well. During a jogging craze in 1977, these three women struggled to find comfort and support in their clothing options while running.

As a joke, Lisa Lindahl took her husband’s (unused) jockstrap and mounted it on her chest to function as a bra. Surprisingly, this method seemed to provide relief. What started as a joke grew into a prototype and soon a successful invention! So you can thank these three women the next time you find yourself jogging comfortably in a sports bra.^[5]

5 Bra myth debunked: Sleeping in a bra stops sagging

Despite their popularity, bras are not discussed much, leading to a number of myths surrounding them. For example, wearing bras during sleep is a controversial topic. Many people swear that sleeping without a bra causes the chest to sag, but this claim is simply not true. Fortunately, an answer has been found to this controversial topic. According to Dr. Amber Guth, director of the Breast Cancer Surgery Fellowship at NYU, has the solution. And she brings good news!

There is no evidence that wearing bras while sleeping prevents your chest from sagging. Dr. Guth states, “There is certainly no evidence that sleeping in bras is helpful or harmful,” and that changes in the breast area are due to other factors such as pregnancy, time, and gravity. So the only concern when wearing a bra to bed is your comfort and preference!^[]

4 Another bra myth debunked: breast cancer

The belief that bras cause breast cancer is another old wives’ tale fueled by flawed research and flawed reasoning. The logic behind this myth is relatively simple. Around the same time that technology was invented to better identify breast cancer, bras were also invented. Due to the overlapping periods of both, this led many to draw a connection between the two. Due to this myth, many bra wearers have grown up avoiding wearing bras for extended periods of time unless absolutely necessary. Fortunately, this myth was also debunked!

The American Association for Cancer Research found in their 2014 population survey that no aspect of bra wearing, including cup size, underwire and hours worn, affected breast cancer. The organization points to external factors, a history of breast cancer in families and a lack of exercise as the real culprits. So even though bras may not be the most comfortable piece of clothing, they won’t do you any harm!^[7]

3 Wait, do I need to change my bras?

Many people wear their bras longer than the recommended lifespan. Yes, there is a lifespan for bras! Lois Siciliano, a lingerie technologist, explains: “We recommend replacing your bra every nine to 12 months, and since your body changes regularly, you definitely shouldn’t wear a bra from the last ten years.”

To avoid discomfort and improper fits, bras should be kept up to date as your body changes. However, there’s no need to worry: there are methods to ensure your bra lasts longer and feels better!^[8]

2 Extends the life of your bra

In the same article referenced earlier, Lois Siciliano shared valuable insights on making your bras last longer without spending an obscene amount of money. Lois says that hand washing your bras is one of the most crucial steps to extending the life of your bra. She says: “This really is the best way to wash bras and it’s the only safe and environmentally friendly option.”

Washing bras at a high temperature or on the wrong cycle can stretch the elastic fibers in your bra. This will drastically shorten the lifespan of your bra. You even run the risk of the underwires of your bra coming loose! While it’s good to know strategies to extend the life of your bra, it’s important to note that the most critical indicator of your bra’s physical condition is your own preference and comfort. If you don’t feel like you need to change your bra, don’t!^[9]

1 The cost of bras

Bras may not be a staple on your shopping list, but the cost of bras each year adds up! A recent survey found that the average woman will spend £2,700, or about $3,400, on bras in her lifetime. This high price over a lifetime suggests that even though we don’t think about bras much, they are an impactful part of the economy.

The $3,400 spent per woman in the United States can amount to billions of dollars and largely contribute to the retail industry as a whole. Global Edge cited that in 2016, “the global lingerie retail market was valued at approximately $29 billion, with bras accounting for approximately 34% of that market value.” Bras are a powerful retail item, so don’t underestimate the power of support!^[10]