History of Bras

The very beginning of the bra started with corsets in the Victorian era. These were very tight cloths designed for a hour glass shape. It was very hard to breathe, and sometimes displaced organs. The first bra (brassiere) was created in 1914 by Mary Phelps Jacobs. They became popularized after World War 1. In 1922, a company called Madianform was created which started the system of using cups. In 1947, the pushup bra was created by a company named Fredricks of Hollywood.

The Negative Impact of Bras

1. Bras dysregulate lymphatic flow

The lymphatic system is responsible for transporting extracellular waste and immune cells throughout the body. We have 4x more lymph than blood. Unlike the circulatory system, the lymph doesn’t have a pump, and only moves when we move. When we wear constrictive clothing, like bras, this system cant’t work properly. Constrictive clothing cuts off the lymphatic system. A sure sign of this is seeing red indentations on your body after you remove the clothing. Your lymph was not flowing all that time.

2. Breasts get weak

The breasts have suspensory ligaments and coopers ligaments that hold them up. When you where a harness (bra), it does the work for the breasts, and the ligaments become weak. This causes breast sag. This is like putting your arm in a cast for a year and witnessing the atrophy. When you remove the bra, you can regain the strength, vitality, and fullness.

3. Cysts and cancer

When you stop the lymphatic flow, this can lead to a build up of waste products, and result in cysts and potentially cancer down the line. This research examines breast cancer patient habits, and shows that women who wear tight bras have a much higher risk of breast cancer.

Changing Our Perceptions

The bra industry is primarily run by men. We have a cultural narrative that women should wear bras and breasts look good in them (not saying they can’t). This is a foundation that is built on sand, and will fall. If were not building our perception on truth, health, and empowerment, then what are we doing? We change culture by making one decision, and it starts with us.