The First Modern Bra

1913:The first modern bra to be patented was a silk hanky and pink ribbon affair created by New York socialite Mary Phelps Jacob.  Mary had bought a sheer evening dress to wear to an event, and at the time, the only undergarment available to her was a corset made with whaleback bones.  Mary found that the bones showed through  the sheer fabric and created her DIY alternative!

1914:After a year of sharing her creation with friends, Mary Phelps Jacob applies for a patent (under the business name” Caresse Crosby”) on November 3 for her “Backless Brassiere” design.  Mary’s “brassiere” was very lightweight, soft, and separated the breasts naturally.  Unlike Marie Tucek’s 1893 design, Jacob’s garment did not have cups to support the breasts, but flattened them instead. Jacob markets the “Backless Brassiere” garment until she tires of the business and sells the patent to Warner Brothers Corset Company in Bridgeport, CT, for $1500.  Warner’s reportedly made over $15 million over the next 30 years from the patent.

I’d say Warner’s made a sound investment, no?  And some improvements along the way.  Flattened breasts will be the rave through the 20’s or so…certainly not anymore.  And certainly not with the UpBra!

Bra History

The bra has enjoyed a colorful history.  They were allegedly invented by an American named Otto Totzling (wrong!) and burned by feminists in the 1960’s.

The “over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder” is a necessary evil in many women’s lives…but who do we have to blame for this often uncomfortable, but ever-so-sexy piece of clothing?

2500 BC Women on the island of Crete begin using bra-like garments to lift their bare breasts out of their clothing.

450BC-285AD Roman and Greek women preferred to play down their chests, using a band strapped around their breasts to reduce their bust size.

They Have a T Zone!

The area above and between your breasts is loaded with oil glands, leaving it especially prone to blackheads and pimples.  Also, the larger your set, the more sweat collects, creating an ideal environment for the bacteria that cause blemishes.  Keep pores perspiration-free by using an absorbent powder under and between your breasts to keep skin dry.  Also, clean your T zone daily and after a workout with antibacterial wipes and apply a toner with a mild salicylic acid.  And of course, never sit around in a sweaty sports bra - it’ll trap moisture and cause breakouts.

After a workout, change into your UpBra!  Aside from great looks, you’ll remain cool and dry.  The UpBra is made from a special microfiber that promotes dryness, and the construction of the UpBra is made in such a way as to promote air flow. Look good, feel good.

A Trip to the Factory

I just came back from the factory where the UpBra will be manufactured.  I have to tell you, I have never seen so much precision and detail go into any piece of clothing, let alone a bra.  I was able to road-test the UpBra, and was even happier than the last time we had a prototype to test.  I’m a 36B, and not one to wear underwire, much less a bra as complicated and enhancing as this.  I knew how comfortable it was and how well it worked, but this time around we’ve made it perfect!  By using the slider on the strap, I was able to lift my breasts to new heights and create cleavage I’ve never seen (on me) before!  I wore it most of the day and all evening and never, ever felt the mechanism inside the cups.  I never got sweaty or sticky.  I did, however, got a few appreciative glances.  I think I’m going to like this new  adventure. 

UpBra lifts so well it doesn’t need pads.  It’s 100% you.  Ordinary bras squeeze you in or push you up over the top.  Only UpBra’s unique lifting action lifts UNDERNEATH and AROUND your breast.  so, instead of you having to fit the bra, the bra fits you.

Four Million of Them are Fake!!

 As Cosmopolitan.com points out, about four million breasts aren’t the real thing! About two million women in the US have breast implants, with 250,000 opting for this surgery each year. The average age of a woman who gets implants is 34, and 90% do it after they have kids. “Most women increase two cup sizes”, says Leroy Young, MD, chair of the breast surgery committee of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. No, they’re not always happy with the results: Six percent of women who sport a fake set return for a size adjustment or have them taken out altogether.
Well, you can just about guess what I’m about to tell you…Before taking that drastic measure, give the UpBra a shot.  You can lift a little or a lot, enhancing your look to create cleavage and perceived size.  The UpBra is a wonderful alternative to the permanence of surgery.  And while we haven’t priced it yet, I can promise you it will be less expensive than surgery, too!!  Did I mention comfortable?  Stay tuned, ladies…

An inside look…

animation8Hey girls - here’s an animated version of how the UpBra comfortably lifts you from the inside.  You can see that there are no awkward pads, and that the lower half of the lifting cradle lifts straight up under the breast - giving you a natural, enhanced shape and cleavage.  How far you take it is up to you!! What do you think?