| Of the many styles of women's underwear available | | | | resembled corsets but were less compressive. |
| today, bra and brief sets are among the most classic. | | | | Clothing Reform Movement In the late 1800s, two |
| However, these classic garments are actually of | | | | movements began that would ultimately lead to the |
| recent origin. Throughout most of recorded history, | | | | development of the modern bra. Early feminists |
| women's underwear styles were far different than | | | | recognized that freedom from restrictive women's |
| those of today. Read on for a brief history of the | | | | underwear was necessary before women could take |
| bra. Ancient Cultures In Ancient Egypt and Ancient | | | | on a larger role in society. Meanwhile, doctors began |
| Greece, breasts were generally uncovered. Women's | | | | to recognize the health risks of tightlaced corsetry. In |
| underwear was basically unknown. Both men and | | | | the late 19th century, numerous patents were filed |
| women wore simple tunic-style garments. However, it | | | | for breast-supporting corset alternatives. However, |
| was usual to expose the breasts, particularly in | | | | many of these designs were never manufactured. |
| Greece, where female breasts had almost mythic | | | | Only a handful of educated feminists and female |
| significance. Greek women did, however, cover the | | | | athletes purchased the early bras. World War I World |
| breasts with tight, supportive bands known as | | | | War I brought a lot of support for the emerging bra |
| apodesme when competing in athletic activities. In | | | | movement. Steel was commonly used for the stays |
| Ancient Rome, breasts were less emphasized, and | | | | in corsets, but was needed for the war effort. |
| both men and women wore loose tunics that | | | | Meanwhile, women went to work in factories and |
| covered the chests. Young women sometimes wore | | | | industrial plants in great numbers. Societal attitudes |
| a version of the Greek apodesmos, called the | | | | began to change. The 1920s to the 1960s After the |
| strophium, to minimize their breasts. This could be | | | | war, the bra became much more accepted. By the |
| considered an early example of women's underwear. | | | | late 1920s, it had replaced the corset as the major |
| Medieval Contrary to modern mythology, medieval | | | | staple of women's underwear. Shapes and styles |
| women did not wear bodices designed to enhance | | | | changed with fluctuating fashions, but the garment |
| the breasts. In fact, it is believed that the Holy | | | | remained largely the same. Counter Culture The |
| Roman Empire specifically forbade women to support | | | | women's liberation movement of the 1960s led |
| their breasts or draw attention to them. Bodices | | | | record numbers of women to stop wearing bras |
| were straight and designed to minimize rather than | | | | altogether. Although bra-burning was likely much less |
| enhance curves. Women's underwear consisted | | | | common than urban legends would indicate, many |
| primarily of simple shifts worn underneath a bodice | | | | women simply stopped wearing them. Bra |
| and full skirt. Renaissance By the Renaissance era, | | | | manufacturers fought back by capitalizing on the |
| fashions had changed. It was considered stylish and | | | | sexual liberation of the time to introduce increasingly |
| modern to show plenty of décolletage. Even | | | | daring alternative styles. It was during this time that |
| breast feeding was frowned on by the upper | | | | women's underwear options dramatically grew. The |
| classes, as it was believed to ruin a woman's figure. It | | | | 1970s to Today Today, women's underwear is big |
| was during this era that early corsetry began to | | | | business. Sexy lingerie and matching lingerie sets are |
| develop. The Age of Corsetry Once corsets were | | | | quite common. Whether you are in the mood for a |
| introduced, they proved to have great staying | | | | demure and elegant bra and brief set or something a |
| power. Shapes and styles changed over the years, | | | | bit wilder, your options are virtually unlimited. |
| but the corset remained the women's underwear | | | | Amanda Cotterill has been involved in the sexy |
| choice until the late nineteenth century. Of course, | | | | lingerie uk market for many years. This article outlines |
| there were generally more practical alternatives for | | | | the history of sexy corsetry as if that needed much |
| women who worked, either inside or outside the | | | | explaining! Please include this credit if you use this |
| home. Even these garments, however, generally | | | | article. |