How the style and shapes of bras have evolved over time

Gabi StevensonDec 25, 2022, 18:52 IST

The bra has gone through many iterations in its long lifetime, from the corset to the bullet bra to the sports bra.DeAgostini/Getty Images; Universal/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images; NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

Bras and bust supporters of all kinds have been around for centuries.
After the domination of the corset in Western countries, the modern bra was patented in 1914.

Depictions of women wearing bra-like garments were found in a fourth-century mosaic in a Sicilian castle.

A woman practices at a gym in the fourth-century mosaic of the Ten Maidens in Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily, Italy.DeAgostini/Getty Images

The corset dominated women's fashion in western countries until the early 20th century.

An American corset made circa 1740 to 1760; A woman in Paris, France, tying her corset while standing in front of a mirror circa 1890 to 1900.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; Bettmann/Contributor for Getty Images

A young New York socialite named Mary Phelps Jacob patented the first modern brassiere in 1914.

A copy of the first patent for the modern brassiere filed in 1914 by Mary Phelps Jacob.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The 1920s and 1930s brought about new changes for the bra.

A salmon-colored satin bra with lace designed circa 1932 to 1940; A woman poses for a brassiere ad in Southern California circa 1934.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; Dick Whittington Studio/Corbis via Getty Images

By the 1950s, Hollywood stars were making a big impact on bras and breasts.

Jayne Mansfield standing outside circa 1955; Actor Jacques Angelvin shows demonstrates an inflatable push-up bra for the first time in France circa 1952.Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Universal/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Women and designers began to reject enforced femininity in the 1960s, leading to more natural silhouettes.

A model wearing a bandeau bra by Rudi Gernreich in 1965; Twiggy poolside at the home of producer Charles Feldman on May 27, 1967.Mirrorpix via Getty Images; Bettmann/Contributor for Getty Images

The sports bra took off in the 1970s and 1980s after three friends in Vermont sewed two jockstraps together.

A woman jogging in Vail, Colorado, in the 1980s.R. Walker/Classicstock/Getty Images

The push-up bra reached the height of its popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.

A model wears a Wonderbra in 1993 in Paris, France; Eva Herzigova wears a Victoria's Secret Miracle Bra at the brand's fashion show in 2001.Nicolas LE CORRE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; KMazur/WireImage

There are more bra offerings than ever for people in 2022, from matching sets to silky bra tops.

Lizzo performs on the "Today" show on July 15, 2022, in New York City; Emily Ratajkowski at the W Magazine 50th anniversary on October 12, 2022 in New York City.NDZ/Star Max/GC Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for W Magazine

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