Push Up Bra
Push up bras are special brassieres characterized by a chest band and two shoulder straps. It is considered to be special because of the incorporation of a strap placement, décolletage and foundation. Foundation is the construction technique of a garment for the purpose of alterations or modifications of the body’s natural shape and figure. On the other hand, décolletage is showing of the cleavage due to an extremely low cut design that exposes the shoulders, upper parts of the breast and the neck as well. The three elements comprised into a push up bra make it a more defined fashion silhouette.
Generally, push-up bras have underwires to uplift the breasts from underneath or from sagging. They are always the best option for full-breasted women. Push up bras are also classified as cleavage enhancing bras as they present a deep cleavage in between the breasts. A push up bra that similarly supports the breast but with cup open or the nipple exposed is referred to as a demi bra. Padded versions of a push up bra are not suitable for big bosom women as it tend to add their already ample size.
Push up bra was invented with attributions to Howard Hughes, a movie mogul and airplane designer. It was because of the movie, The Outlaw, that the push up bra was conceptualized. For the movie use, Hughes fabricated some rods of structural steel into the garment just below the breast and was connected into the shoulder straps. The steel was for the breasts to be lifted upward and so the shoulder straps be moved aside from the neck. This engineering allowed the upper part of the breast to be exposed freely and generously.
In 1960’s, steel was already widely available, thus, its role in a push up bra was gaining momentum. This bra at that time was under a complicated construction, with two separate cups and each cup had a curvy steel wire attached to the base, and the two widely spaced straps provided the uplift. Hook and eyes, like it is today, were already used back then to fasten the undergarment in place. In other designs, the supporting part around the torso that also pushes the cup upward, allowed the straps to fall off from the shoulders without compromising the whole brassiere, or without it being detached. Therefore, leaning over may be done several times, yet one is always assured of proper containment.
Underwire and bikini styles mimic each other all throughout the 60’s, as underwire collaborated with the push up bras and bikini briefs. This was indicated by their comparison through pictures of the hottest two females stars at that time, Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch. These female stars wore nothing but elastic brief and décolleté underwired brassiere. Sophia Loren was seen in the picture with teasing hair and completing a striptease act in the movie, yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. While on the other hand, Welch was promoting a movie entitled “Fathom, “ and the edges of her satin panties framed her pubic hairline and her brassiere was built as if to support an enormous weight.
Way back in the 1960’s, common silhouette then was the push-up bra. But things had progressed and the underwire design was significantly used with halter, and balconet. The latter was often confused with a bandeau. Their difference can be identified whether the breasts were uplifted or held from the side like a bandeau.
As 1970 crawled in, the string bikini look almost took over sidestepping the foundations of the push up bras and corset. During that period, string halter took the rein and was on top of the ladder. But by 1980’s, bras can be seen in innumerable forms, colors and designs on the beach. And by 1900’s, the push ups again gained its leadership. In the later part of the 1990’s, it was then that that underwire resurfaced, and this time, in both underwear and swimwear preferences.
Eventually in the end, at present, fashion designers have come to embrace push up bras and its contribution to the fashion industry. Designers now come to realize that push up bra may come and go, but still, it is one thing that no one can ignore.