The “bullet” bras of the 1950s are fascinating and iconic of this era. Here are several detailed points on this topic:
1. **Origin and Design**
– **Invention**: “Bullet” bras were invented in the 1940s, but gained popularity in the 1950s.
– **Design**: Their distinctive conical shape is achieved through circular or spiral seams around the bra cut. This design offered extra support and forward projection, creating a highly distinctive silhouette.
2. **Popularity and Cultural Influence**
– **Hollywood**: These bras became famous thanks to Hollywood “sweater girls,” like Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe, who wore them under tight sweaters2. It contributed to their popularity and adoption by the general public.
– **Fashion**: They were considered an early version of push-up bras, intended to showcase the feminine shapes that were very in vogue at the time.
3. **Historical Context**
– **Post-War**: After World War II, there was a desire to return to femininity and glamour, which led to the adoption of more accentuated and structured clothing styles.
– **Advertisement**: Advertisements back in the day highlighted these bras as must-have fashion items to achieve the ideal silhouette.
4. **Fabrication and Materials**
– **Materials**: “Bullet” bras were often made from rigid fabrics to maintain their tapered shape.
– **Seams**: Reinforced seams added not only support but also the rigidity needed to maintain the sharp shape.
5. **Impact and Legacy**
– **Modern Fashion**: Although their popularity declined in the 1960s with the advent of bras offering a more natural shape, the “bullet” bras have undergone a revival thanks to designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, who brought them back to the taste of the day in the 1990s.
– **Pop Culture**: Madonna among others wore a “bullet” bra designed by Gaultier on her Blond Ambition tour in 1990, which revived interest in this vintage style.
These bras are not only a symbol of 1950s fashion, but also a reflection of cultural norms and beauty ideals of the time.
