For some, wearing a bra is as natural and necessary as brushing your teeth. However, the necessity of wearing one is still debated across the world. Bras come in many different forms, from very simple to elaborate designs.
The word “bra” is short for “brassiere”. A bra is an undergarment that supports and enhances breasts. Historically, bras were worn as early as the Ming Dynasty in China. Over the years, the design has changed from merely a piece of cloth tied around the breasts to today’s modern version. However, the function of a bra has remained the same. It is used to elevate and support breasts as well as to cover them.
By the 16th century, corsets or camisoles had started to appear. These would cover the body from the breasts down to the waist. They would push up the breasts and make the waist look smaller to make women appear thinner. It was only in the 20th century that contemporary bras came into existence.
Designers over time have worked hard at creating attractive, functional and sensual bras. The choice available can confound anybody. Silk bras and lacy bras are considered more fashionable than practical. Cotton ones are functional and women with larger breasts may sometimes opt for these as they offer more comfort and firmer support. However, lacy and intricate designs are now more readily available in larger cup sizes. Bras also come with extra pads for women who want to increase their bust size.
There are also sports bras available that don’t have fasteners at the back, but have to be put over the head. These support breasts to the maximum making exercising or running more comfortable. A bra may also make use of metal underwires to provide support to the bra cups and help them maintain their shape.
Wearing the correct bra is sometimes quite difficult. Many surveys suggest that most women wear the wrong size of bra. Bra sizes are normally measured according to the volume of the breast (the cup size) and the circumference of the band (the band size). Different countries measure bras sizes differently. Even different shops might use different measuring techniques. In the absence of a standardized method of measuring bra size, shopping for a bra is not easy. It is always a good idea to try on a variety of bras in different sizes before buying one.
|
