Women's Issues

Of the many styles of women's underwear available today, modrčke and brief sets are among the most classic. However, these garments are really classic of recent origin. Throughout most of recorded history, women's underwear styles were very different than today. Read on for a brief history of the bra.

Ancient Cultures
In Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, breasts were usually discovered. Women's underwear was basically unknown. Both men and women wore simple tunic style of clothing. However, it was customary to expose the breasts, especially in Greece, where female breasts had almost mythical significance. The Greek women do not, however, cover the breasts with tight, supportive bands known as apodesme when competing in athletic activities.

In Ancient Rome, breasts were less emphasized, and both men and women wore loose tunics that covered the breasts. Young women sometimes wore a version of Greek apodesmos, called the strophium, to minimise their breasts. This can be regarded as an early example of women's underwear.

Medieval

Contrary to the modern mythology, medieval women wore bodices not to increase the breasts. Indeed, it is believed that the Holy Roman Empire forbade women specifically to support their breasts or draw attention to them. Bodices straight and are designed to reduce, rather than enhance curves. Women's underwear consisted mainly of simple shift dressed in a bodice and full skirt.

Renaissance

Until the Renaissance era, fashions had changed. It was considered elegant and modern to show plenty of décolletage. Even breastfeeding was frowned by the upper classes as they considered the ruin of the figure of a woman. It was during that time that corsetry soon began to develop.

The age of Corsetry
After corsets were introduced, they have proven that they have great staying power. Ways and styles changed over the years, but the corset kept the women underwear choice by the end of the nineteenth century. Of course, there were generally more practical alternative for women who worked, either inside or outside the home. Even these clothing, however, usually the corsets but were less compressive.

Clothing reform movement
At the end of 1800, two movements began that would ultimately lead to the development of the modern bra. Early feminists acknowledged that freedom of underwear restrictive of women was needed before women could take on a greater role in society. Meanwhile, doctors began to recognize the risks to the health of tightlaced corsetry.

At the end of the 19 th century, numerous patents have been filed by breast-supporting corset alternatives. However, many of these drawings were never manufactured. Only a handful of female athletes and feminist educated purchased the beginning bras.

World War I
World War I brought a lot of support for the emerging movement bra. Steel was commonly used for stays in corsets, but was necessary for the war effort. Meanwhile, the women came to work in factories and industrial plants in large numbers. Societais attitudes began to change.

The years 1920 1960
After the war, has become much more accepted a bra. Until the late 1920, which had replaced the corset as the great staples of women's underwear. Ways and styles changed with fluctuating fashions, but the piece remained largely the same.

Counter Culture

The movement for women's liberation decade of 1960 led record numbers of women wearing bras to stop completely. While bra-burning was probably far less common than urban legends would indicate, many women simply stopped wearing them.

Bra manufacturers fought back by capitalizing on the sexual liberation of time to introduce increasingly bold alternative styles. It was during this period that women's underwear options grew dramatically.

The years 1970 to today

Today, women's underwear is a big business. Sexy lingerie and matching lingerie sets are quite common. Whether you are in the mood for a demure and elegant bra and brief set or something a little wild, their options are virtually unlimited.