Bustiers and Bras

Brassieres and Bustiers date from the early 1900s. A design for a brassiere made from two handkerchiefs and narrow ribbon was patented in the USA in 1914 by Mary Phelps Jacob. Until the mid-1920s, brassieres were boneless and were designed to flatten the bust and push it downwards. During the late 1920s and 1930s corsetry companies began manufacturing brassieres which were boned and stitched into different cup sizes. A boned strapless brassiere appeared in the late 1930s and it was during this decade that the word 'bra' came into popular usage. In the 1940s the use of the foam pads gave additional shape to many bras. Their outline was most exaggerated during the 1950s, when bras were both wired and stitched in circular patterns to further stiffen the fabric. The strapless bra was popular during the 1950s, when it was worn under off-the-shouder, strapless dresses. In 1964 a Canadian company, later purchased by Sara Lee Intimates, designed a 'Wonderbra', a padded, underwired, push-up bra that made a more pronounced breast shape. The Bustier is a deep, waisted garment based on a brassiere, bra and camisole which embraces the ribs and hip bones. The shoulder straps are set far apart to enable the bustier to be worn with a bateau neckline. It was popular in the 1950s and emerged in the 1980s in exotic fabrics as outer wear for evening. International singer and film star Madonna promoted the bustier in a contempoorary, exaggerated form - with conically stitched cups - designed by Jean-Pau; Gaultier. Our range of bustiers and bras from silk, satin, lycra and lace all give that sexy look. For casual and comfort or support we have something for you all.