An "Uplifting" Bra Guide

An “Uplifting” Bra Guide

The History of the Bra:

As early as the year 1550 –there was no such thing as a bra. In those days it was all about a teeny, tiny waste. King Henri II of France’s wife, Catherine de Medicis banned thick waists at court attendances and the woman’s corset was born.

This horrible, painful garment was designed to decrease a woman’s waist size to an unbearable 10 to 13 inches! The reign of the corset, made from whalebones and steels rods was to plague women for over 350 years. No wonder women carried smelling salts to revive themselves from passing out – they couldn’t breath!

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Finally, in 1913 a woman named Mary Phelps Jacobs invented the first modern bra out of pure necessity.

She purchased a sheer evening gown to wear at a social event and a corset stiffened with whaleback bones just wouldn’t do.

She fabricated together two silk handkerchiefs and some ribbon. Her design for a device that was lightweight, soft and separated the breasts naturally was later patented November 3, 1914.

She eventually sold the patent for a mere $1,500 to a company who would make fifteen million dollars with it over the next thirty years.

In 1917, the U.S. War Industries Board called upon American women to stop buying corsets. The corset ban freed up approximately 28,000 tons of metal to assist the efforts in World War I.

Jumping many years into the future, we have an abundance of bras to choose from to support the many lifestyles of today’s modern women:

Backless Bras & Strapless Bras:

Backless bras and strapless bras play a small but significant role in every woman’s wardrobe. Backless bras and strapless bras can be purchased with the following options:

Full coverage
Demi
Minimizer
Padded
Molded
No wire
Push-Up
Liquid Filled
Soft Cup

Both the backless bra and strapless bra can come with detachable straps, should an occasion arise when a woman needed an option.

Both backless bras and strapless bras offer a smooth, contoured fit and exceptional silhouette. Be sure when purchasing either variety you determine the correct size.

A backless bra or strapless bra is often the best selection of lingerie support for wedding gowns and other luxurious formal wear garments. This type of lingerie is often the bra of choice to accompany a wedding gown, which typically has thin or no straps.

The backless or strapless bra is in fact considered one of the most essential pieces of bridal lingerie!

Whether you will be wearing a formal dress that features your back, or a spring halter, there’s no denying the importance of having at least one of each type of bra in your lingerie wardrobe.

Finding the right backless bras and strapless bras for you will be as important as what you will be wearing over them.

Most likely, if you know your proper bra size, you will have no problem finding the right size. The other important features to consider will be color, length of garment, smoothness, appliqués, and overall design.

You wouldn’t want to accidentally expose a glimpse of white underneath a black gown.

Backless bras and strapless bras are delicate garments and must be cared for as such. You should never place these garments in the dryer. The combination of heat and tumbling will without a doubt have these brassieres headed for the garbage.

Likewise, the overcrowded tugging that will occur in the bin of your washing machine will do nothing good for them either. It is recommended that you hand wash backless bras and strapless bras with a gentle detergent, and allow them to air dry.

Proper care will ensure that you have these pieces looking and fitting their best for many seasons of wear.

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Big Bras, Full Figure Bras & Plus Size Lingerie:

Most big-busted women know how hard it can be to find big bras that offer support, comfort and style. The plus size bras that are comfortable and supportive often have no style whatsoever; and the ones that look good are all too often uncomfortable to wear.

However, the big bras that are now available on today’s market offer a combination of all the qualities we look for in plus size lingerie.

You can get big bras in a wide variety of materials and styles, such as:

Underwire plus size bras
Strapless big bras
Backless full figure bras
Minimizing plus size lingerie bras
Firm support plus size bras
Silk, satin, lace and cotton big bras and plus size lingerie

Plus Size Bras are the ideal choice for the full figured and sensual woman. Most plus size bras take into consideration the special needs of real women, including added support and comfort.

Though traditional full figure bras came only in under-wire styles, today’s modern big bras come in many comfortable styles.

Purchasing plus size bras is a wise choice for the supple woman looking for a full figure bra with the best fit possible.

Mastectomy Bras:

Today’s mastectomy bra can be beautiful, feminine and comfortable!

Mastectomy bras come in many sizes and styles, some with removable pockets. A mastectomy bra can include a soft pocket to hold the breast form (prosthesis) comfortably in place.

The bras are appropriate for all types of mastectomy and breast cancer surgery procedures (i.e., radical, modified, bilateral, partial, simple, and total mastectomy, lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, and segmentectomy).

Mastectomy bras come in a wide selection of fashionable, attractive, and comfortable post-mastectomy and breast cancer surgery bras, including:

Front closure mastectomy bras: Ideal for women with restricted mobility due to arthritis, surgery or lymphedema, because it slips on, then closes with easy-to-fasten front hooks.
Full figure mastectomy bras: These bras offer a comfortable fit for the larger sizes, and provide the support needed.
Post-surgery bra: These mastectomy bras are designed for use immediately after breast surgery. It enables you to have a soft breast form while you are healing, and allows you to have a shape, along with comfort and protection. (Many women are discharged from the hospital with a surgical drain. Some newly designed bras have a pocket that discretely holds the drainage bulb.)
Leisure and sleep mastectomy bras: Ideal after breast surgery, at bedtime, for lounging or leisure anytime a woman wants extra comfort and softness.
Mastectomy camisoles: The camisole front panel holds a breast form securely against the chest.

The bottom line is that today’s mastectomy bras often include high fashion lace all over, and are comfortable, beautiful, feminine and romantic.

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Nursing Bras & Maternity Bras:

Pregnancy is a time when you will crave comfort and support, and with a well fitting nursing bra or maternity bra you can get just that.

You will find a wide range of maternity and nursing bras available that are designed to ensure that you are comfortable throughout your pregnancy.

As a new mom-to-be you will experience a variety of wonderful emotions as the crucial moment approaches – the excitement, the wonder, the anticipation to name but a few.

But then comes another feeling – discomfort, as your breasts begin to grow, bursting out of your silky designer bra and demanding you stop trying to squeeze them back in to it.

This is time for you to start thinking about getting a nursing bra or maternity bra as soon as possible to promote comfort and support.

There are some things you should bear in mind when buying your maternity bra or nursing bra:

You can’t just buy a bigger version of your normal bra and hope for the best, as it will probably burst at the seams as your breasts continue to grow. You need to get a proper maternity bra or nursing bra designed to grow and stretch with your breast growth.
Remember that you will need to buy a few maternity bras so that you always have a bra to wear even on laundry days.
You may need to get a bigger maternity bra as your breasts continue to grow.

Although nursing bras come with openings to feed the baby through, you may want to get nursing bras instead of maternity bras towards the end of your pregnancy as these will provide support while you are still pregnant and convenience once the baby is born.

Sheer Bras, Shear Bras, See Through Bras, & Clear Bras:

Almost sounds like a bad Dr. Seuss rhyme! Sheer bras, like see through bras, come in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes. When looking for a shear bra, keep in mind the following:

Sheer bras are ideally suited for A-C cup sizes, but can be worn by anyone who is feeling daring.
Shear bras can be found in any style, including silky or lacy.
Clear bras come with or without under wire support.
See through bras are just as sensual as shear bras, but provide you with a bit less coverage for added allure.

See through bras are in essence, clear bras. As an added bonus, see through bras show off everything you have to offer, yet still offer the support necessary to function throughout a long day.

The world’s leading lingerie designers have been using soft lace materials, mesh materials, and other sheer, see through fabrics to pump up the beautiful factor.

Clear bras are a wonderful addition to your lingerie wardrobe because they are versatile enough to be worn all day, and also appealing anytime you want to spice things up a bit.

Sports Bras, Sport Bra & T-Back Bras:

Why not protect your assets with the right sports bra?

Many women find it difficult to exercise without experiencing discomfort as the movement impacts on the breasts. However, there is a way around this – by making use of one of the many effective sports bras on the market as well as the stylish T-Backs that are so popular.

What are the benefits of T-Back bras and sports bras?

A sports bra works as a shock absorber, minimizing the impact of strenuous activity upon your breasts.
Sports bras help to keep your breasts in place and stop the uncomfortable movement that can cause pain and rubbing.
Sport bras provide a cost effective way of protecting your breasts during exercise and keeping them in place by reducing breast motion.
Sports bras help to minimize the risk of breast ligament strain which is a big risk for athletic women.
T-back bras and sports bras help absorb perspiration.
T-Back bras are bra tops that can be worn alone and offer both breast and back support as well as ventilation.
T-Backs bras are available in a wide range of colors and sizes, so everyone that wants to take part in exercise can do so in comfort.

You don’t have to feel frumpy in T-Backs bras or sports bras either, as you will find a wide range of sports bras that boast great designs and a range of materials, which offer comfort, support and allow free movement for the today’s active woman.