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One hundred years ago, the word brassiere appeared for the first time in Vogue. For something that’s supposed to be a demure underthing, the bra has had a very public arc, from quaint early ads to fetish-catering pinups to innerwear-as-outerwear (cue Madonna). Below, links to a chronology, how to buy, care for, and generally understand this one flimsy garment.
- The Search for the Right Fit
- For some, bra shopping is about as fun as dental work. But there’s a lacy underthing out there for everyone.
- The Mechanics
- It looks so simple. Gwen Widell and Jill Gurhan, design and technical vice-presidents respectively at Wacoal, describe the engineering necessary for a bra to do its thing.
- How to Increase the Shelf Life
- Proper bra care means your bra will keep its pristine shape about one year. Tips on keeping your delicate underthings in good stretching order.
- Boom and Busts
- A timeline of the brassiere, from 1907 to the present.
- Ask the Lingerie Experts
- Nikki Dekker and Maayan Zilberman of the Lake & Stars.


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