As a woman, it’s essential to wear a bra that’s well-fitting and offers full coverage. A poorly-fitting bra can stretch and displace breast tissue, which causes sagging over time. The right bra can give you the confidence and lift you need to feel comfortable under a variety of outfits, whether you’re wearing a low-cut top or a strapless dress.
While women in ancient Greece and Rome wore undergarments to support their bosoms, the modern-day bra was conceived by Herminie Cadolle of France. She split a corset into two, creating a lower section to go on the waist and an upper one to go on the shoulders. She patented her design in 1889, calling it le soutien-gorge.
The modern-day bra became a mainstream item in the Roaring ’20s, thanks to innovations such as adjustable elastic straps and padded cups. Manufacturers also started experimenting with fabrics and color patterns to appeal to more consumers, while department stores developed bra fitting areas to help customers find the best undergarments.
Today, there are countless options when it comes to women’s bras, including molded, structured, and non-padded styles. But with so many options out there, how do you know what style to choose for each outfit? We turned to The Strategist editor Simone Kitchens and New York magazine photo editor (and filmmaker) Stella Blackmon to help us figure out which styles and fabrics are the best for specific situations. women’s bamboo bras