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A brassiere or '''bra''' is a Foundation Garment for women which supports and covers the Breast s. NEED FOR BRASSIERES The female Breasts have very little internal support, being composed largely of Adipose Tissue . It is believed that the primary Anatomical support for the breast is provided by the Cooper's Ligaments , with the Skin covering the breasts offering some additional support. However, this anatomical support is usually insufficient to hold the breasts up (especially in older women), and to prevent movement of the breasts, which can cause Pain and Discomfort . Thus, the primary reason for wearing a brassiere or similar Foundation Garment is to provide external support for the breasts, increasing comfort and mobility. Bras are believed by some to help preserve the youthful shape of breasts (which naturally sag as women Grow Older ), an opinion which, unsurprisingly, is promoted by bra manufacturers. However, there is some doubt over this amongst the medical community, and while a woman may choose to wear a bra for comfort or for social reasons, there is no conclusive evidence to support the notion that a woman's breasts will sag lower over her lifetime if she doesn't wear a bra. Some medical professionals believe that wearing a bra can actually increase breast sagging later in life because the chest muscles that support breasts are used less and atrophy from lack of use. Health benefits of breast motion and sagging have also been suggested but not substantiated — for example, some researchers claim that breast movement, which is restricted by a brassiere, stimulates the Lymphatic System and helps remove Toxins from the body . HISTORY The concept of covering or restraining the breasts dates back to 6,500 years ago in Greece . Minoan women on the island of Crete 4,000 years ago wore garments that partially supported yet revealed their bare breasts. A band of cloth known as an ''apodesmos'', or ''mastodeton'' was worn by ancient Greek women to bind down the breasts for exercise in those city-states that supported women's sports, such as Sparta . Also, a belt could be fastened over a simple tunic-like garment or undergarment, just below the breasts, in order to provide some support. Another word for a breast-band or belt was ''strophion''. garment]] A bra-like device to give a ''symmetrical rotundity'' to the breasts was Patent ed (nr 24,033) in 1859 by Henry S. Lesher of Brooklyn, New York ; although it is recognisably a bra, the design looks uncomfortable by current standards. In 1889 Herminie Cadolle of France invented the first modern bra, a two-piece undergarment called ''le bien-être'' (the well-being). The lower part was a Corset for the waist, the upper supporting the Breasts by means of shoulder straps. By 1905 the upper half was being sold separately as a soutien-gorge ("breast-supporter", using a euphemism for breast that usually means "throat"), the name by which bras are still known in France. Cadolle's business is still going strong. In the United States , Mary Phelps Jacob was granted the first U.S. Patent for the brassiere (nr 1,115,674), in 1913 . She was aided in this work by her French maid, Marie. Her invention is most widely recognized as the predecessor to the modern bra. She sold the patent to the Warner Brothers Corset Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for $1,500 (or over $25,600 in today's money). Warner eventually made an estimated $15 million off Caresse's patent. In 1922 , Ida Rosenthal , a seamstress at the small New York City dress shop, Enid Frocks, along with shop owner Enid Bissett and husband William Rosenthal, changed the look of women's fashion. The "boyish figure" then in style downplayed women's natural curves through the use of a bandeaux brassiere. Their innovation, designed to make their dresses look better on the wearer, consisted of modifying the bandeaux bra to enhance and support women's breasts. Hence, the name "Maidenform". A later innovation is the development of sized brassieres. The company they founded became the Maidenform manufacturing company . In 1943 , Howard Hughes designed a cantilevered brassiere for Jane Russell for her appearance in the movie "The Outlaws". This "lifts and separates" design went on to influence later commercial brassieres. During the coverage from the Mass Media at the time. BRA SIZES The size of a bra is commonly described by two values: the band size (the circumference of the chest at the bust, excluding the breasts), and the '''cup size''' (given by a letter, and relating to the volume of the breasts themselves). The Size of women's Breasts is often expressed in terms of bra size. Bras are commonly available in cup sizes A-DD, and one generally has to go to a specialist lingerie store to find larger cup size bras. The sizing of cup sizes can be confusing, since some manufacturers use multiple letters such as AAA or FF. A common cup size system amongst European manufacturers, in order of increasing size, is: AAA-AA-A-B-C-D-DD-E-F-FF-G-GG-H-J. It is important to note that the actual size of bra cups vary with band size. As an example, the cup in a 34B is smaller than the cup used in a 38B. Any system for Determining Bra Size is not without its problems, and the only real way to get the right size is by Trial And Error or more effectively to visit a certified bra-fitting specialist, usually found in better quality stores. Unfortunately, as is the case with most clothing, not all bras are made alike. Women find that different manufacturers' bras fit differently. However, there are several methods which may be used to provide an approximate size by measuring alone. Bra sizing systems differ widely between countries, and also between companies. Some countries use the Metric Measurement System rather than the Imperial System used in the UK and U.S. Band size is usually determined by measuring body circumference ''under'' the breasts and then adding a specified amount to account for the fact that the ribcage is generally wider at the height of the breasts than at the point one measures at. An alternative method to determine band size involves measuring under the arms and across the ''top'' of the breasts. In the United States , various manufacturers and boutiques recommend adding different numbers to the measured circumference to determine band size, generally from 4 to 6 Inches . A further complication is that some manufacturers say that when the under the bust measurement is 35" (89 cm) or more, only 3" (7.5 cm) should be added to determine the band size. The cup size is worked out from the difference between the band size and a measurement of the chest circumference over the fullest part of the breasts. A common, though not universal, method suggested by many manufacturers is that a difference of 1" (2.5 cm) requires an A cup size; 2" (5 cm) a B cup, and so on (see Below ). Sister size It is stated that sizes have a "sister size." When the size one is fitted to wear is unavailable or not fitting properly, it is possible to try the sister size, by moving up one band size and down one cup size to have an equivalent fit (for example: 32C to 34B). This works because by decreasing the cup size the band size must be increased to compensate. This equivalency is true to some extent. Many people are able to wear both sizes. However, there are slight differences in the cup and band that may prove problematic as the bra begins to wear and the sister size may not be as comfortable. Determining bra size One common way of determining bra size is described below (all values measured in Inches ). First measure tightly around the torso, directly underneath the breasts. This is the ''frame size''. To calculate the ''band size'', add 5" if the frame size is an odd number, or 6" if it is even (the difference takes account of the fact that bras are only available in even sizes). Next measure directly across the fullest part of the breasts over the nipples, while standing straight with arms to the side. This is the ''bust size''. The ''cup size'' is then the difference between the bust size and the band size, converted into a letter using the following table: For example, if a woman's frame size is measured at 30", then 6" would be added to give a band size of 36". If her bust size measured 40", that gives a difference of 40" - 36" = 4", which converts to a "D" cup size. So her final bra size would be 36D. CONSTRUCTION AND FIT A bra consists of shoulder straps at either side, cups for the breasts, a center panel, and a band running around the body under the bust. They are typically made of a Fabric such as Cotton or Lace , with the cups for the breasts given shape by ''underwires'' or plastic reinforcements. The bra is usually fastened a hook Fastener on the band, typically at the back, but in some bras the fastener is situated at the front, in between the cups. Some bras contain Padding , designed to improve comfort and provide a more flattering shape — this is sometimes in the form of Silicone gel packs. Push up bras, designed to enhance Cleavage , usually contain padding. It is important that a woman's bra fits correctly, both to ensure a flattering shape and to avoid discomfort. Back Pain is particularly common amongst large breasted women who wear bras which offer insufficient support. In extreme cases, such discomfort can lead to a woman seeking Breast Reduction surgery. It is estimated from the result of surveys that up to 70% of women in the United Kingdom wear incorrectly fitting bras, which is perhaps due to a lack of understanding about the Fitting Of Bras , as well as the difficulty in obtaining larger bras. It is a common misconception that the shoulder straps should bear the weight of the Breasts , in fact the strap around the body should provide most of the Support , it should be firm but comfortable.
Correct bra size depend on factors including bra manufacturer, and change as the size of her breasts fluctuates with Weight gain/loss and stage in the Menstrual Cycle . Breast pads or " Falsies " are sometimes worn underneath the bra to give the appearance of larger breasts — this requires that the wearer wear a larger size of bra than actually required by her breasts. TYPES OF BRA A range of styles of brassieres exist, to be worn in a variety of situations. The degrees of support varies between styles, with some being designed from a highly practical point of view, and others to provide a deliberately sexually alluring form.
CULTURE Statistics show the average American woman today owns six bras- one of which is a strapless bra and one a color other than white. Indeed in many Western cultures, it is often considered more noteworthy ''not'' to wear a bra. Much of the TV presenter Charlie Dimmock 's fame may be attributed to her reputation for gardening without a bra. {Link without Title} Although similar in appearance to the upper part of a Bikini , it is not generally considered suitable to expose one's brassiere in public in Western Cultures , even partially, and to do so is usually considered sexually provocative. A famous example of a bra being exposed for Shock Value is the conical bra outfit (designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier ) worn by Madonna on her 1990 tour. Even considering this relative cultural taboo, however, full display of a woman in only her bra is still vastly more socially acceptable than a woman's open display of her bare Breasts . As an example of the relative acceptability of bra-only activity, bras have recently been used by operations like Breast Cancer charities to raise money, either by sponsored walks by women wearing exposed bras {Link without Title} , or selling bras owned or decorated by celebrities. The oft-repeated story that the brassiere was invented by a man named Otto Titzling ( Phonetic ally, the humorous ''tit-sling'') who lost a lawsuit with one ''Phillip de Brassiere'' is an example of an Urban Myth {Link without Title} . TERMINOLOGY The word brassiere derives from ''bracière'', an Old French word meaning "arm protector" and referring to military uniform (''bras'' in French means "arm"). This later became used for a military breast plate, and later for a type of woman's corset. In modern European French , the word for a bra is ''soutien-gorge'', (breast support) and 'brassiere' refers to a baby's vest, although it is sometimes used for the "bra-top" without formed cups. In Quebec , ''soutien-gorge'' and ''brassiere'' are synonyms. SEE ALSO REFERENCES
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