Women’s Bras – How to Choose the Right One For You

Throughout history, women have used garments to support, restrain, or modify the appearance of their breasts. Artifacts suggest the precursor to today’s bra dates to ancient Greece. Its modern incarnation is widely credited to 1913’s Mary Phelps Jacob, who patented her wide-strapped, pullover style and briefly ran a two-woman factory.

But the bra industry really took off during the 1930s. Improvements in fiber technology, fabrics, styles, and colors made for more attractive and versatile undergarments. Manufacturers started focusing on specific markets (including maternity and mastectomy), and a burgeoning department store industry aided sales. Meanwhile, girdles gave way to pantyhose, and ad campaigns leaned heavily on Hollywood glamour.

Today, there are countless different bras available in a myriad of shapes, sizes, colors, and fabrics. While some are incredibly supportive, others are a bit more revealing.

Full coverage bras are great for those with bigger breasts because they provide maximum support. The best ones also have sturdy underwire and curve-hugging fabric. They can be worn under t-shirts, tanks, blouses, button-ups, and other tops.

Though these bras aren’t the most comfortable, they do a good job of keeping your bust from sagging. As we age, the force of gravity pulls on every woman’s breasts, causing them to droop over time. A good bra can prevent this, but it’s also important to take them off at night and wash them regularly. If you don’t, you could end up with achy shoulders, rashes under the arms, and itchy skin on your chest.women’s bamboo bras