The Development of the Brassiere

... The Development of the Brassiere The brassiere is perhaps the secret touch of exotica in every woman's wardrobe. Throughout history this piece of clothing has been an object of seduction, glamour, or oppression depending on one's stance. Women have always tried to enhance their female figures by squeezing themselves into restricting uncomfortable garments. Waists have been reduced and bust lines have been increased, decreased, flattened or spread out, depending on what is fashionable. Far from being an imposition, the brassiere has emerged in the twentieth century as a major component of clothing for the modern women. By becoming a material and social artefact the brassiere has developed into becoming the focal point of a multimillion dollar industry which will be examined in this essay. The brassiere has played a practical, as well as aesthetic role and it was during the late nineteenth and early

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