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Sexy Lingerie
Lingerie is a term for women's fashion undergarments. It derives from
the adult costume French word 'lin' for linen. While the adult costume
term in the adult costume French language applies to all undergarments
for either sex, in English it is applied only to those women's
undergarments designed to be visually appealing or erotic, typically
incorporating materials such as Lycra, nylon (nylon tricot), polyester,
satin, lace and/or silk and not applied to functional cotton
undergarments. the adult costume concept of lingerie being visually
appealing is relatively recent. Up through the adult costume first half
of the adult costume 20th century women selected underwear for three
major purposes: to alter their shape (first with corsets and later with
girdles or bras), for reasons of hygiene, or for modesty. Women's
underwear was often very large and bulky. As the adult costume 20th
century progressed underwear became smaller and more form fitting. In
the adult costume 1960s 'controversial' lingerie manufacturers such as
Frederick's of Hollywood begin to glamorize lingerie and the adult
costume idea of lingerie having a sexual appeal slowly developed. the
adult costume lingerie industry has expanded in the adult costume 21st
century with designs that double as outerwear. the adult costume French
refer to this as 'dessous-dessus' which basically means innerwear as
outerwear. the adult costume boutique Faire
sexy
lingerie, which is an antiquated phrase meaning "show it off",
heralds this philosophy by categorizing lingerie as an accessory with
details such as straps and lace trim that should be layered and shown as
part of one's outerwear.
The term chemise can refer to the adult costume classic smock or shift,
or else can refer to certain modern types of women's undergarments and
dresses. In the adult costume classical usage it is a simple garment
worn next to the adult costume skin to protect clothing from sweat and
body oils, the adult costume precursor to the adult costume modern
shirts commonly worn in Western nations. Chemise is a French term (which
today simply means shirt). This is a cognate of the adult costume
Italian word camicia, and the adult costume Spanish / Portuguese word
camisa (subsequently borrowed by Hindi / Urdu), all deriving ultimately
from the adult costume
sexy lingerie.
The history of the adult costume chemise
The chemise seems to have been developed from the adult costume Roman
tunica and first became popular in the adult costume European Middle
Ages. Women wore shifts or chemises underneath their gowns or robes; men
wore chemises with their trousers or braies, and covered the adult
costume chemises with garments such as doublets, robes, etc. In those
times, it was usually the adult costume only piece of clothing that was
washed regularly. In Western countries, women's shifts did not fall out
of fashion until the adult costume early 20th century, when they were
generally replaced by brassieres, panties, girdles, and full slips.
Men's chemises may be said to survive as the adult costume common
T-shirt, which served as an undergarment until the adult costume
mid-20th century. the adult costume chemise also morphed into the adult
costume smock-frock, a garment worn by English laborers until the adult
costume early 20th century. Its loose cut and wide sleeves were well
adapted to heavy labor. the adult costume name smock is nowadays still
used for military combat jackets in the adult costume UK, whereas in the
adult costume Belgian army the adult costume term has been corrupted to
smoke-vest.
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Sexy Underwear
Garters are items of clothing, used to keep stockings up. Normally just
a few inches in width, they are usually made of leather or heavy cloth,
and adorned with small bells and/or ribbons. In the adult costume 18th
to 20th centuries, they were tied just below the adult costume knee,
where the adult costume leg was skinniest, to keep the adult costume
stocking from slipping. the adult costume advent of elastic has made
them unnecessary from this functional standpoint, although they are
still often worn for fashion.
Garters in fashion
A garter is often worn by newlywed brides. It is the adult costume
groom's privilege to remove the adult costume garter and toss it to the
adult costume male guests. The adult costume symbolism to deflowering is
unambiguous. Historically, this tradition also relates to the adult
costume belief that taking an article of the adult costume bride's
clothing would bring good luck. As this often resulted in the adult
costume destruction of the adult costume bride's dress, the adult
costume tradition arose for the adult costume bride to toss articles of
clothing to the adult costume guests, including the adult costume
garter. Another superstition that has circulated is the adult costume
male equivalent of the adult costume bride throwing her bouquet to the
adult costume unmarried ladies, i.e., the adult costume unmarried male
wedding guest who successfully caught the adult costume garter was
believed to be the adult costume next man to be headed to the adult
costume altar from the adult costume group of single men at that
wedding. Traditionally, the adult costume man who caught the adult
costume garter and the adult costume lady who caught the adult costume
bouquet will share the adult costume next dance. In Elizabethan
fashions, men wore garters with their hose, and colorful garters were an
object of display. In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, "cross braced"
garters are an object of some derision. In male fashion, a type of
garter for holding up socks has continued as a part of male dress up to
the adult costume present (although its use may be considered somewhat
stodgy).
Order of the adult costume Garter
A famous "garter" in English is the adult costume Order of the adult
costume Garter, which traces its history to the adult costume Middle
English poem Sir Gawain and the adult costume Green Knight. In the adult
costume poem, Gawain accepts a garter from the adult costume wife of his
host (while resisting her carnal temptations) to save his life and then
wears it as a mark of shame for his moral failure and cowardice. King
Arthur and his men proclaim it no shame and begin, themselves, to wear
the adult costume garter to indicate their shared fate. At that point,
however, the adult costume garter was a larger garment that was used as
a foundation. the adult costume origin of the adult costume symbol of
the adult costume Most Noble Order of the adult costume Garter, a blue
'garter' with the adult costume
sexy
underwear will probably never be known for certain as the adult
costume earliest records of the adult costume order were destroyed by
fire, however the adult costume story goes that at a ball possibly held
at Calais, Joan Countess of Salisbury dropped her garter and King
Edward, seeing her embarrassment, picked it up and bound it about his
own leg saying in French, "Evil, [or shamed] be he that that thinks evil
of it." This story is almost certainly a later fiction. This fable
appears to have originated in France and was, perhaps, invented to try
and bring discredit on the adult costume Order. There is a natural
unwillingness to believe that the adult costume world's foremost Order
of Chivalry had so frivolous a beginning. It is thought more likely that
as the adult costume garter was a small strap used as a device to attach
pieces of sexy
underwear, it might have been thought appropriate to use the adult
costume garter as a symbol of binding together in common brotherhood.
Whilst the adult costume motto probably refers to the adult costume
leading political topic of the adult costume 1340s, Edward's claim to
the adult costume throne of France. the adult costume patron saint of
the adult costume Order of the adult costume Garter is St. George and as
he is the adult costume patron saint of soldiers and also of England,
the adult costume spiritual home of the adult costume order has
therefore always been St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
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Sexy Costume
Panties are women's underwear. Types of panties, a wide variety of types
of panties exist. Bikini panties andsexy
costume are designed so that the adult costume hip connectors are
small, like on those of swimwear. String bikini panties are the adult
costume most commonly worn type in the adult costume United States and
are similar to regular bikini panties, but instead of a thin hip grip,
they have a small string, which sometimes ties around the adult costume
waist rather than being pulled up over them. String bikinis are
considered more revealing. String bikinis are usually made of satin or
silk, but occasionally from other fabrics. High-cut, or control top, are
cut higher on the adult costume hip to slightly pull in and shape the
adult costume stomach to conceal obesity. High-cut are usually worn by
older women and are often shunned by younger women. Boyshorts describe a
type of female underwear that has a lower, thicker cut of material
around the adult costume hips, making them appear as shorts that men
would wear. They are sometimes by men and women alike criticized as not
being feminine, although some women do wear them. the adult costume
g-string is a thong panty with a string running between the adult
costume buttocks. It is often jokingly referred to as "floss" by critics
and some comedians.
Panties are made of a variety of materials and fabrics including satin,
silk, pvc, cotton, nylon, mesh, lace, rawhide, leather, latex, lycra,
and/or polyester. In British English, and in places such as the adult
costume UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa and India,
panties are often referred to as knickers. the adult costume term
knickers is not generally used in the adult costume USA and Canada,
where the adult costume term "panties" is usually favored. Before recent
times, women's underwear were made with the adult costume primary
function of body contortion. In the adult costume 1940s, Frederick's of
Hollywood opened shop in Hollywood and began selling corsets and
lingerie with a much more fashionable appeal to them. These new styles
of women's undergarments possessed a greater sexual feel, made even more
glamorized by models such as Bettie Page. Colorful, bright, sexy, and
flashier fashions of women's lingerie were becoming available. More
fabrics such as satin, lace and silk began to be incorporated into the
adult costume makeup of women's lingerie, making them more desired by
females and more sensual to males. This is perhaps the adult costume
great turning point when panties became more than simple hygiene
products and developed into an icon of pleasure and sexuality worldwide.
Since then, women in flattering and provocative panties and lingerie
have become a staple of several functions of men's and lesbian's popular
culture. Several men's magazines such as Maxim and
sexy costume often
use images of attractive females in sensual lingerie to capture
mainstream appeal.
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A brassiere (Brit. /'bɹæzɪə(ɹ)/; U.S. /bɹə'ziɹ/, commonly referred
to as a bra, /bɹɑ/) is an article of clothing that covers, supports, and
elevates the breasts. The bra is considered a foundation garment, as
well as an undergarment, because of its role in shaping the wearer's
figure. It was originally developed in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries to replace the corset, and has now become, in many
parts of the world, the most popular form of undergarment for the upper
body, although camisoles and chemises are becoming more popular.
The bra may be worn to support and enhance breast shape during everyday
activities and a specialized bra, the sports bra to support and restrain
breasts during exercise. Some wearers believe that wearing it will
prevent their breasts from sagging later in life. However, there are no
reports in the scientific medical literature that support that notion.
In fact some reports have suggested that wearing a bra will promote
ligament atrophy, which contributes to sagging, so the matter is open to
debate. The bra may also be worn to observe modesty or to present a
certain image of femininity. Bras are typically designed to lift the
breasts into a particular position, for a more youthful look or for
enhancing cleavage . These roles are sometimes conflicting. Some
designers aim at producing a garment that fulfills a practical role as
well as making it look attractive. Bras are also used during pregnancy
(when breasts are enlarged and more sensitive), and for nursing (see
nursing bra) to support and provide access for breastfeeding.
Many have questioned the practical need for the bra. Some women prefer
not to wear a bra and go braless on a regular basis. In many nations, a
bra is often not worn. Some have suggested that a bra does little to
prevent the effects of aging on the breasts, and some have claimed that
breasts are healthier when left free to move rather than being
restrained. Also, the bra has become charged with political and cultural
meanings that overlay its practical purpose. Traditionally it is viewed
as symbolic of a young girl's coming of age, one of the tokens that
indicate that she has become a young woman. It can also be interpreted
as a feminine icon. On the other hand, some may see it as a symbol of
the repression of women's bodies. All of these debates mean that the bra
has assumed a cultural significance which exceeds that which is normally
accorded to item of clothing (e.g. socks, dress shirts, or gloves).
Etymology
The French word brassière refers to a baby's vest (undershirt) or
lifebelt, underbodice or harness. The word brassière derives from
bracière, an Old French word meaning "arm protector" and referring to
military uniforms (bras in French means "arm"). This later became used
for a military breast plate, and later for a type of woman's corset. The
current French term for brassière is soutien-gorge, literally, "held
under the neck" or "throat-support". In French, gorge (throat) was a
common euphemism for the breast. This dates back to the garment
developed by Herminie Cadolle in 1905.
The term "brassiere" seems to have come into use in the English language
as early as 1893. Manufacturers were using the term by about 1904, Vogue
magazine first used it in 1907, and by 1911 the word had made its way
into the Oxford English Dictionary. On 13 November 1914, the brassiere
was patented by Mrs Mary Phelps Jacob also known as Caresse Crosby. In
the 1930s, "brassiere" gradually came to be shortened to "bra". In the
French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec, both soutien-gorge and
brassière are used interchangeably.
The claim that the brassiere was invented by a man named Otto Titzling
(phonetically tit-sling) who lost a lawsuit with Phillip de Brassiere
(fill up de' brassiere) is an urban legend that originated with the 1971
book Bust-Up: The Uplifting Tale of Otto Titzling and the Development of
the Bra and was propagated in a song from the movie Beaches.
History
During recorded history, women have used a variety of garments and
devices to cover, restrain, or elevate their breasts. Brassiere or
bikini-like garments are depicted on some female athletes in the seventh
century BC during the Minoan civilization era. Similar functionality was
achieved by both outerwear and underwear.
From the 16th century onwards, the undergarments of wealthier women were
dominated by the corset, which pushed the breasts upwards. In the latter
part of the 19th century, clothing designers began experimenting with
various alternatives to the corset, trying things like splitting the
corset into multiple parts: a girdle-like restraining device for the
lower torso, and devices that suspended the breasts from the shoulder
for the upper torso.
By the early 20th century, garments more closely resembling contemporary
bras had emerged, although large-scale commercial production did not
occur until the 1930s. Since then, bras have replaced corsets (although
some prefer camisoles), and bra manufacture and sale has become a
multi-billion-dollar industry. Over time, the emphasis on bras has
largely shifted from functionality to fashion.
In China during the Ming dynasty a form of foundation clothe complete
with cups and straps drawn over shoulders and tied to the girth seam at
the lower back called a dudou was in vogue among the rich women.
(Oriental Clothing and Modern Fetishism, various authors, ed. Partho
Shanner, 1996, Yeti, Hong Kong). While they first arose in the Ming
Dynasty, were also common in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In English
they are known as 'stomach protectors' or 'tummy covers'
Construction and fit
A brassiere usually consists of two cups for breasts, a centre panel, a
band running around the torso under the bust, and a shoulder strap for
each side. Brassieres are typically made of a fabric, such as cotton or
polyester. Spandex and lace are also often used for various parts of the
bra. The cups for the breasts may be reinforced by underwires made of
metal originally, but mainly plastic now. The bra is usually fastened
with a hook fastener on the band, typically at the back. In some bras
the fastener is in the front, between the cups. Others are pulled on
over the head and have no fasteners at all.
Some bras contain padding, designed either to increase comfort, to
conceal the nipples, or to make the breasts appear larger. Breast pads,
commonly known as "falsies" or "cutlets", are sometimes worn between the
breasts and the bra to create the illusion of a larger cup size. Push-up
bras in particular are designed to enhance the cleavage and use padding
and the cut of the pattern to achieve this effect.
Fitting
The backstrap (band) and cups should provide most of the support, rather
than the shoulder straps, which are responsible for a number of health
problems (see Mechanical principles, below).
When viewed from the side, the strap that runs around the body should be
horizontal, should not ride up the back, and should be firm but
comfortable.
The underwires at the front should lie flat against the rib cage (not
the breast), along the infra-mammary fold, and should not dig in to the
chest or the breasts, rub or poke out at the front.
The breasts should be enclosed by the cups and there should be a smooth
line where the fabric at the top of the cup ends.
There should not be a ridge or any bulging over the top or sides of the
cups, even with a low-cut style such as the balconette bra.
Mechanical principles
A pair of breasts can weigh several kilograms. For instance a pair of "D
cup" breasts may weigh 15–23 pounds (7–10 kg), dependent on band and cup
size. One of the principal functions of a bra is to elevate and
"support" the breasts, that is, to raise them from their normal position
lying against the chest wall. The bra's shoulder strap should bear
little weight. This is considered the defining characteristic of the
bra: supporting the weight from the back and shoulders, as opposed to
lift from below (as corsets do).
Over-reliance on the platform (backstrap) for support will lead to undue
compression of the breasts, so much of the weight tends to be carried by
the shoulder strap, particularly for larger breasts. The major
engineering weakness of the bra is that it acts as a pulley,
transferring the weight of the breasts from the lower chest wall to
higher structures such as the back, shoulder, neck, and head. This can
result in pain and injury in those structures, especially for women with
pendulous breasts.
Size and measurement
The comfort and function of any given bra is highly dependent on the
correct size and fit. A large range of sizes are available to cater to
the wide variety in the size of women's breasts and bodies. Bra sizes
typically vary in two ways: the volume of the cups that fit over the
breast, and the length of the back strap that goes around the body. It
is essential that the bra fit correctly in both of these dimensions.
There is typically some ability to adjust the band size, since bras
usually have three or four alternative sets of fastening hooks. The
shoulder straps of a bra are also almost always adjustable. The size of
women's breasts is often expressed in terms of her usual bra size.
Measurement systems
Although all bras are labeled by size, many women find that the only way
to obtain a bra that fits properly and achieves the effect they want is
by trial and error with each bra type, model and brand. This method is
the most reliable.
Though many countries use the metric system, the majority of nations
still use imperial units to determine the underband size of the bra
itself.
There are several methods which may be used to provide an approximate
size by taking measurements. However, bra sizing systems differ widely
between countries, between manufacturers, and between brands and
designs, which can create many problems. Many researchers have
demonstrated that these problems arise because fit requires knowing the
breast volume, not the body circumference (the distance around the
body), which is what is actually measured. Although bra sizing uses the
circumference to estimate the volume, this has been shown to be highly
unreliable.
The size of a bra is commonly described by two values. The first is the
band size (underband), a number based on the circumference of the chest
under the bust, excluding the breasts. The second is the cup size given
by a letter of the alphabet, and relating to the volume of the breasts
themselves. For example, a 30D bra is for a 30-size band and a D-size
cup. Cup sizes typically start with A, the smallest, and increase
alphabetically. A double lettering system may also be used, e.g. DDD for
F or AA for a size smaller than A.
Band size is usually determined by measuring body circumference under
the breasts as tight as possible. A second measurement is a loose fit
taken of the chest circumference over the fullest part of the breasts (overbust).
The cup size can then be calculated with tables or a conversion tool
from the difference between these two measurements.
The mean underband circumference in the UK is 34 inches (86 cm). For the
overbust measurement, this is 40 inches (101 cm), for women 18–64 years.
Fitting difficulties
Women often find it difficult to find the correct bra size. To achieve
perfect sizing consistently, a bra would have to be custom made, because
a "one-size-fits-all" manufacturing process is fraught with
difficulties. Breasts vary in the position on the chest, and in their
diameters.
A number of stores have certified professional bra-fitters specialists.
However, even bra fitters have been shown to be quite variable in their
recommendations. Buying "off-the-shelf" or "online" bras is unwise if
the buyer has never tried on the brand and type of bra that they are
interested in buying. Some bra manufacturers and distributors state that
trying on and learning to recognize a proper fit is the best way to
determine a correct bra size, much the same as with shoes. Some critics
observe that measuring systems such as the one described above often
lead to an incorrect size, most commonly too small in the cup, and too
large in the band. For anyone, especially cup sizes larger than a D, one
should get a professional fitting from the lingerie department of a
clothing store or a specialty lingerie store.
Some women intentionally buy larger cups and pad them, while yet others
buy smaller cups to give the appearance of being "full". Finally, the
elastic properties of the band make band size highly unreliable, and in
one study the label size was consistently different from the measured
size. Fashion and image drive the bra market, and these factors often
take precedence over comfort and function.
As already noted, there is no agreed standard across all manufacturers
for measuring and specifying bra size. Obtaining the correct size is
further complicated by the fact that the size and shape of a woman's
breasts fluctuate during her menstrual cycle, and also with weight gain
or loss. Even breathing can substantially alter the measurements.
It is frequently stated, from the results of surveys, that between 70
and 100% of women are wearing incorrectly fitted bras. This may be
partly due to a lack of understanding of how to correctly determine bra
size; it may also be due to unusual or unexpectedly rapid growth in size
brought on by pregnancy, weight gain, or medical conditions including
virginal breast hypertrophy.
As breasts become larger, their shape and the distribution of the
tissues within them changes, becoming ptotic and bulbous rather than
conical. This makes measurements increasingly unreliable, especially for
large breasts. Similarly the heavier a build the woman has, the more
inaccurate the underbust measurement as the tape sinks into the flesh
more easily. Finally, most women are asymmetrical (10% severely), with
the left breast being larger in 62%, especially when the breasts are
large.
Many of the health problems associated with bras are due to fitting
problems and are discussed further below, under health problems.
However, finding a comfortable fit is described as very difficult by
many women, which has affected sales. Medical studies have also attested
to the difficulty of getting a correct fit.
Types of bra
A wide range of styles of brassieres now exists, to be worn in a variety
of situations, and with a variety of outer garments. For instance
strapless, backless and multiway bra styles specialise in being
invisible underneath less than full coverage garments whereas push up
and plunge focus on shaping the bust and cleavage. The degree of shaping
and coverage of the breasts varies between styles, as do functionality
and fashion, fabric, and colour. Styles range from the purely
utilitarian to the sensual. Others include various accessory structures
such as padding and underwiring.
Many bras will fall into more than one category, such as a maternity bra
designed for facilitating access to the nipple, but that is also
designed to provide support to heavier lactating breasts. Definitions
are not always very accurate or exclusive (e.g. shelf bra). Sports bras
have more recently been developed with the primary purpose of
restricting breast movement to aid comfort.
Therapeutic role of the bra
Countering the aging process
Anatomically, the breasts are non-rigid areas of glandular tissue, with
few support structures, such as connective tissue. Breasts are composed
of the mammary glands, which remain relatively constant throughout life,
as well as the adipose tissue or fat tissue that surrounds the mammary
glands. It is the amount and distribution of adipose tissue that leads
to variations in breast size. In addition, the breasts contain internal
ligaments, although their exact function as related to breast support is
controversial. These ligaments, and the overlying skin (referred to as
the dermal brassiere) help determine the resulting breast shape.
As the breasts mature, they fold over the lower attachment to the chest
wall (infra-mammary fold), and their lower (inferior) surface lies
against the chest wall when vertical. In popular culture, this
maturation is referred to as "sagging" or "drooping", although plastic
surgeons refer to it as ptosis, and recommend mastopexy (breast lift)
for correction.
Although the exact mechanisms that determine breast shape and size
remain largely unknown, it has long been claimed that this occurs
because the normal anatomical support is inadequate, especially in older
women and those with larger breasts. Hence the bra is often proposed as
a means of providing artificial support, based on the presumption that
the breasts cannot support themselves. Health professionals have,
however, found no evidence to suggest that the bra changes the natural
process of aging of the breasts. Bra manufacturers have also stated that
bras only affect the shape of breasts while they are being worn.
Indeed, there are indications that wearing a bra may have an effect
opposite to that which was intended. In a Japanese study, 11 women were
measured wearing a standardised fitted bra for three months. They found
that breasts became larger and lower, with the underbust measurement
decreasing and the overbust increasing, while the lowest point of the
breast moved downwards and outwards. The effect was more pronounced in
larger-breasted women. This may be related to the particular bra chosen
for the experiment. There was some improvement after changing to a
different model. These findings were confirmed in a much larger French
study of 250 women who exercised regularly and were followed by
questionnaires and biometric measurements for a year after agreeing not
to wear a bra. While there was some initial discomfort at the first
evaluation, this gradually disappeared and by the end of the year nearly
all the women had improved comfort compared to before the study. The
measurements showed firmer, and more elevated and youthful breasts. One
example of a woman who had breasts that were uncomfortably large, and
who had improvement after two years of being without a bra is given.
While some may dispute the reasons why breasts change in shape with age
and argue over whether or not the process can be delayed or reversed by
wearing a bra, it is a natural process of bodily change. Health
ethicists are concerned that plastic surgery and implants have altered
our concept of what is "normal" and medicalised women's bodies by making
a normal process a "disease.
Pain relief and comfort
Wearing a bra can offer relief of breast pain (mastodynia, mastalgia),
particularly when women are performing strenuous physical activity or
exercise. Indeed, the sports bra is an example of a bra which has been
specifically designed for this purpose. An underwire bra can also help
support breasts and keep them from bouncing (for example, during
running), which is painful whether the breasts are large or small.
Recently the requirement for a bra during exercise at all has been
questioned following extensive studies on athletes and sportswomen.
In the specific case of larger breasts, the bra lifts the breasts away
from the chest and can prevent two skin surfaces from rubbing together.
Without the bra, maceration (loss of skin), intertrigo (rash) and fungal
infections are possible. This does, however, depend upon a correctly
fitted bra that performs as intended.
Cultural significance
Feminist comment
Many feminist writers have interpreted the bra as an example of how
women's clothing has shaped and even deformed women's bodies to
historically aesthetic ideals, or shaped them to conform to male
expectations of what is desirable. Germaine Greer, for example, has
often depicted bras as symbols of oppression, and it was views like
these, considered radical by some, which perhaps gave rise to the urban
legend of bra-burning ceremonies.
The bra as a fashion item
Breasts which have not undergone sagging, and which present a "pert" or
"perky" appearance, are widely considered to be a marker of youth. Bras
are therefore used, particularly within Western cultures which place
great value upon youth, to promote what is considered a more desirable
youthful appearance by lifting the breasts from their natural position.
Furthermore, the modern bra is often more decorative than its
predecessors, and therefore has become both a fashion statement and an
adornment, and even an icon of sensuality.
The design of bras which aim to be fashionable, rather than functional,
has been driven by changing fashions in outerwear, which has often
dictated what could be worn underneath. Hence its shape has evolved
through flat, round, pointed, conical, to "natural". Although in popular
culture the invention of the bra is frequently attributed to men, in
fact women have played a large part in bra design and manufacture,
accounting for half of the patents filed.
Social pressures and trends
The average American woman today owns six bras, one of which is a
strapless bra, and one in a colour other than white. While reliable data
are hard to obtain, it is thought that in the Western world about 90% of
women wear bras. Some women wear bras based on modesty; others because
they believe that it is part of their cultural norm and that not wearing
a bra would lead to ostracism.
Bras are a relatively recent invention and are by no means universally
worn around the world. In a cross-cultural study of bra size and cancer
in 9,000 in the 1960s, a Harvard group found 93% of women wore bras
(from 88% in the UK to 99% in Greece), but could not find enough women
in Japan with bras to complete their study. In a number of cultures,
women are quite comfortable to sunbathe or swim without any external
support.
The prevalence of the bra, and perceived social expectation to wear one,
does not imply that openly displaying it is encouraged. On the contrary,
it is often not considered suitable to expose one's brassiere in public
in western cultures, even partially, despite the fact that it is similar
in appearance to the upper part of a bikini; to do so may be considered
sexually provocative. However more young people are doing so, and bra
straps are a common sight. Occasionally they may wear a bra as
outerwear. An attractive bra can be considered partly as an accessory,
just as a camisole might; more women, particularly in Eastern Europe,
are now wearing translucent tops which reveal the underlying bra.
Even considering this relative cultural taboo, being seen in one's bra
is still more socially acceptable than exposing the bare breasts, except
at the beach. Indeed, women may choose to be seen in just a bra to make
a specific point. For instance, bras have recently been used by
organisations like breast cancer charities to raise money, either by
sponsored walks or to sell bras owned or decorated by celebrities.
An increasing number of women and health professionals are challenging
the traditional values that suggest that that bras are either medically
necessary or required socially and are adopting bralessness (also known
as brafreedom, or breast freedom). One survey found that 20% of women
over 50 were not wearing bras (Farell-Beck and Gau p.171).
Some men also choose to wear bras. This may because they have large
breasts due to a condition known as gynecomastia or simply obesity.
Many entertainers, actresses and members of the fashion industry have
chosen not to wear bras. Susan Stranks who presented the Thames TV
children's programme, Magpie between 1968 and 1974 chose not to wear a
bra, even on camera. Another well known woman who regularly appears
braless on TV is the presenter of BBC Gardening's Ground Force, Charlie
Dimmock.
Health problems
Many of the statements about the benefits of bras are actually
situations where they can make things worse, because the vast majority
of women wear bras that are ill-fitting. For instance, rather than
keeping the breasts away from the chest wall, bras that are too tight
can actually compress them against the chest even further. This also
pulls the upper thoracic and cervical vertebrae (spine) forward and
down, interfering with back, shoulder and chest movement.
As they did with corsets, health professionals have also had concerns
about the constricting effects of brassieres, although this varies
considerably with design and the relative size of the bra and the
breast. While at least sports bras do not usually cause any significant
impairment in respiration, some bras may put pressure on nerves. Others
believe that wearing a bra can actually increase the downward movement
of the breasts with age, because the chest muscles (pectoralis) that
support breasts are used less and atrophy from lack of use.
Myalgia
Use of a properly fitting bra is regularly recommended for reduction of
mastalgia (breast pain) from exercise or other activities which cause
the breasts to bounce, or for pain related to fibrocystic breast
disease. A trial comparing the effectiveness of danazole versus use of a
sports bra for treatment of mastalgia found the sports bra to be much
more effective, and avoided the side effects experienced by 42% of those
taking danazole. Sports bras were also found most effective at reducing
mastalgia caused by exercise.
When the shoulder straps transfer most of the weight of the breast, a
deep groove can be seen over the shoulder. Use of thin straps, such as
spaghetti straps, can exert pressure on the trapezius muscle, resulting
in temporary symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain; numbness and
tingling in the arm; and headaches.
This seems more common in women whose activities require them to lift
their arms above the shoulders. In a study of 100 women with painful
shoulders, they were asked to not wear their bras for two weeks, by
which time their symptoms had improved but returned within an hour of
replacing the bra. 84% did not elevate their arms, and in these symptom
relief was complete. Three years later, 79% of the women were still bra
free; the remainder preferred pain to not wearing a bra. 16% worked in
occupations requiring elevating their arms, and only achieved partial
improvement. 13 of the 16 decided to become bra-free, and by six months
all were cured.
Back pain is particularly common among large-breasted women who wear
bras offering insufficient support. In extreme cases, such discomfort
can lead to a woman seeking breast reduction surgery. In a study of 103
women seeking breast-reduction surgery (reduction mammaplasty) for pain,
one woman never wore a bra, but of the remaining 102 all were wearing an
incorrect bra size. The underband was too tight and the cup size too
large. The larger the woman, the worse the fit. The result was a bra
that compresses the breast and distorts it by compressing the breast
against the skin of the chest wall.
Based on their research, many physicians believe that bra size is
meaningless, when breast volumes are calculated accurately. "The current
popular system of determining bra size is inaccurate so often as to be
useless. Add to this the many different styles of bras and the lack of
standardization between brands, and one can see why finding a
comfortable, well-fitting bra is more a matter of educated guesswork,
trial, and error than of precise measurements."
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Pantyhose (also called tights) are sheer, close fitting coverings of
the body from the waist to the feet, most frequently worn by women. Like
stockings they are usually made of nylon. The one-piece pantyhose
garment appeared in the 1960s and provided a convenient alternative to
stockings (nylons).
The term 'pantyhose' originated in the United States, referring to the
combination of 'panties' (an American term for women's underpants) with
sheer nylon hosiery, meaning they are usually worn without other
undergarments. In the United Kingdom, they are called tights, a term
that refers to all such garments regardless of whether they are sheer
lingerie or sturdy outerwear. In the U.S., the term tights is used for
non-sheer garments typically made of a stretchy material like spandex,
and worn during exercise or athletic activity, or as utility clothing.
History
In the 1920s the fashionable hemline for women's skirts and dresses
began to rise enough to show a woman's legs and sheer hosiery that
covered the legs was only available as stockings. They were typically
made of silk or artificial silk (now known as rayon), and after 1939
with nylon.
In 1959, Allen Gant Sr. of Glen Raven Mills introduced pantyhose.
Stocking manufacturers began using circular knitting machines to reduce
manual labor and create seam-free stockings. In 1965, Glen Raven Mills
introduced a seam-free version of pantyhose, which coincided with the
introduction of the miniskirt. The miniskirt made it unfashionable to
show the tops of a woman's stockings, and by the end of the decade
pantyhose had replaced stockings almost entirely. This also contributed
to a marked shift in foundation undergarment sales: younger women
stopped buying girdles around this time. In the same period hosiery
started adding spandex or elastane to give it stretch superior to
crimping nylon. Glen Raven Mills still operates in North Carolina, U.S.
as Glen Raven Inc.
Starting sometime in the 90s, pantyhose went almost completely out of
fashion. Until recently, women, in general no longer wore pantyhose
unless it was mandated by dress code, typically found at corporate
companies and executive level. An exception to this was the wearing of
special pantyhose such as fishnet or various pattern types, but this was
a rather rare occurrence.
However, in the mid 00s of this century pantyhose have been appearing
once again in fashion and public, indicating the reoccurring cycle of
couture once again is bringing the leg covering back into vogue. With
the return to Paris runways and Haute Couture it should only be a matter
of time before pantyhose makes a mainstream resurgence.
Pantyhose styles
Pantyhose are available in a wide range of popular styles. The sheerness
of the garment, expressed as a numerical 'denier'/'dtex', ranges from 3
(extremely rare, very thin, barely visible) to 15 (standard sheer) up to
30 (semi opaque) until 70 (opaque).
For people who want a slimmer form, they may opt to get "Control Top",
which has a reinforced panty. The downside to Control Top Pantyhose are
the panty lines that may appear when wearing high cut skirts or shorts.
Sheer to Waist are just that - sheer from the toe to the waist. The
"panty" portion is same thickness and color as the leg portion. Often,
but not always, sheer to waist pantyhose will be reinforced along and on
either side of the seam in the middle of the panty. Perfect for high
slit gowns, mini-skirts and when wearing with lingerie.
Also for the person who wants a bit more support on the top half, there
are pantyhose that have panel gussets incorporated into them. These are
either single or double types. In the single type, there are two seams
instead of the usual one, with a single one on the opposite side; with
double panel gussets, there are two seams on either side. The single
type can be worn either way. They both help to expand the top panty
area. There are also types of pantyhose which have a lacy panty area
which is normally floral in design. (citation needed) Many pantyhose
brands now produce pantyhose that do away with seams completely, so that
the outline is smooth from top to bottom.
The composition of pantyhose
Most pantyhose are composed of nylon and a mixture of spandex, which
provides the elasticity and form fitting that is characteristic of
modern pantyhose. Unfortunately, the nylon fabric is somewhat prone to
tearing and it is common for very sheer hose to 'run' soon after
snagging on something rough or sharp.
Pantyhose worn for fashion have a standard construction. The top of the
waist is a strong elastic. The part covering the hips (panty area) is
composed of a thicker material than the legs. The gusset or crotch is
also a stronger material, sometimes made of cotton. The legs of the
pantyhose are made of the thinnest material which has a consistent
construction down to the toes, which may be reinforced to guard against
wear.
Advantages of pantyhose
On mildly or moderately cold days, pantyhose help keep the legs warm for
those wearing skirts or dresses. Above all pantyhose hides blemishes or
scars on the legs, leg hair stubble, and varicose veins. On cold dry
days, pantyhose can help prevent the legs from becoming too dry. Some
companies regard wearing skirts or shorts without pantyhose as
unprofessional and thus require people who wear skirts or shorts to work
to also wear pantyhose or sheer tights.
Dark pantyhose, and black pantyhose in particular, can create the
illusion of slimmer legs. Another flip side depends on the wearer's skin
tone - dark hose shows runs when worn over light skin, whilst lighter
hose show water spots flipped up from the heel after walking in the
rain. Whilst, as detailed below, the material is not absorbent, it is
quick drying (for example after walking in the rain/being splashed by
traffic).
Support hosiery can be worn to support the leg. Regulating blood
circulation in the legs, it helps those who work on their feet with
preventing/helping varicose veins and resolving pain in the back and
legs.
Disadvantages of pantyhose
The nylon fabric of pantyhose is extremely prone to runs (called
laddering in the United Kingdom). A woman can even cause a run in the
hose by catching the toenail of her big toe in the fabric when she puts
the hose on, catching it on a desk, car, and numerous other 'risks'.
Some women use clear nail polish to prevent runs from growing.
Unlike cotton, nylon is not an absorbent material. As a result,
perspiration from the wearer's feet is more likely to remain in contact
with the feet, which may feel unpleasant to the wearer. If one wears
high heels with pantyhose, the increased moisture can cause the feet to
slip forward in the shoe, causing the toes to be scrunched together. The
increased moisture also causes the foot to move around inside the shoe.
This, combined with the fact that pantyhose are thinner than cotton
socks and thus do not provide as much skin protection, can lead to
blisters on the foot, heel, and ankle.
Men and pantyhose
While traditionally considered a women's garment, pantyhose are
occasionally worn by men for thermal protection and therapeutic relief.
In the late 1990s several small manufacturers introduced pantyhose
styles designed for men to cater to this niche market.
Violent crime applications
Pantyhose are an occasional choice for criminals (such as bank robbers)
who wish to hide their identity. When worn over the head, pantyhose make
the face difficult to identify but still allow the wearer to see fairly
clearly. A satirical experiment about pantyhose masks as a fashion
statement in public was performed by The Chaser's War on Everything.
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Sexy Thong Costume. All rights reserved.
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