Inventions that changed fashion
The Bra
The previous attempts to design underclothing that provided support for female breasts were bulky and expensive. Bustiers and corsets started to be replaced by the precursors of modern bras in the late 1800’s, but did not reach their modern form until Christine Hardt patented her design in 1889. Germany and Mary Jacobs patented her US design in 1914, the first truly modern bra. Cups were first of only one size and made of a stretchy material, with the ABCD method of cup sizing appearing in 1932.
The Zip
This mechanical wonder passed through the hands of several inventors but it was nearly 80 years after its first appearance that it found its place in history. First attempts at zippers did not meet with commercial success. However, it wasn’t until 1913 that the modern zipper took flight. Able to replace laces and buttons, zippers have made clothing and shoes much handier.
Shirts
Everybody has at least one shirt in their wardrobe. The shirt is one of our oldest garments. Since before the Middle Ages the shirt has existed as a piece of clothing, but then only as underwear or night gown for men. In the early days the shirt had neither collar nor cuffs, but a hem that could be tightened and buttoned. In the 18th century the shirt was no longer worn only as underwear but the collar grew into enormous proportions and was decorated with embroidery and lace.
In the middle of the 19th century the shirt was tailored more to the shape of the body, the fixed collar disappeared and the shirt started to show up in more colorful designs especially as sports shirts and labor shirts.
Trousers
The trousers only became acceptable for women in the 1920
However, the trend of women wearing trousers didn’t really take off until the launch of Yves Saint Laurent’s female tux “Le Smoking” in 1966.
