Celebrating the history of the bra

I love that Japan gives recognition to clever inventions. And the bra is no exception. Today, and February 12th annually, is Bra Day ブラジャーの日. The anniversary was created by Wacoal, one of Japan's leading makers of women undergarments, but it commemorates an important milestone.

On this day, February 12th 1913, Mary Phelps Jacob in the United States created the prototype of the contemporary bra by fastening handkerchiefs together with ribbon. She later secured a patent in 1914, marking a significant turning point in women's practical clothing. Before the bra women relied on restrictive corsets. I had never thought about the history of the bra before today. Hats off to Ms Mary Phelps Jacob.

In Japan, Western-style undergarments began to spread from the late Taisho to early Showa periods, with bras appearing in women's magazines with names like "breast band". They were even sold in pharmacies initially as hygiene products. Today, Wacoal uses this anniversary to promote new designs and initiatives such as bra recycling campaigns and educational programs, encouraging people to enjoy and better understand the role of bras in daily life. 

This is the only bra photo I had in my personal connection. I took it because it was an "only in Japan" moment - underwear for Halloween!