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History of brassieres

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Main article: Brassiere

The history of the bra is inextricably intertwined with the social history of the status of women. Therefore it is important to realize how fashion has evolved, and how changing views of the body and especially the breasts have shaped that fashion.

At various times since 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 women athletes in the seventh century BC in the Minoan era. Similar functionality could be achieved by both outerwear and underwear.

From the sixteenth century onwards the undergarments of wealthier women were dominated by the corset, which pushed the breasts upwards. In the latter part of the nineteenth century various alternatives were experimented with, splitting the corset into a girdle-like restraining device for the lower torso, and transferring the upper part to devices suspended from the shoulder.

By the early twentieth century garments more closely resembling contemporary bras had emerged, although large scale commercial production did not occur till the 1930s. Since then bras have virtually replaced corsets, although some prefer camisoles, and become a multi-billion dollar industry dominated by large multinational corporations. Over this time the emphasis has largely shifted from functionality to fashion.

Source from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki