July 19, 2012 11:08 am
The Bra Is 500 Years Older Than We Thought
A 15th century Austrian bra (right), and one from the 1950s. Photo: Beatrix Nutz
Hidden away in an Austrian castle, archaeologists uncovered four 600-year old linen bras, a find they weren’t expecting to make.
According to the Associated Press,
Fashion experts describe the find as surprising because the bra had commonly been thought to be only little more than 100 years old as women abandoned the tight corset. Instead, it appears the bra came first, followed by the corset, followed by the reinvented bra.
A release from the University of Innsbruck, the institution of the investigation’s lead researcher Beatrix Nutz, describes the search of the centuries-old Lengberg Castle:
During the research a vault filled with waste was detected in the south wing of the castle in room 2.07 on the 2nd floor. The fill consisted of dry material in different layers, among them organic material such as twigs and straw, but also worked wood, leather – mainly shoes – and textiles.
One of the bras had cups and wide shoulder straps, and, though it was worn away by time, there was an indication of a previous back strap. The AP says,
And the lingerie was not only functional. The bras were intricately decorated with lace and other ornamentation, the statement said, suggesting they were also meant to please a suitor.
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“Suggesting they were also meant to please a suitor”?
I generally don’t buy bras with lace and ornamentation to “please” suitors. I buy them because I think they’re pretty and because I like them. I’m not saying that the women 600 years ago felt like me, however, quite frankly, we don’t know if they didn’t. I find it interesting, that when faced with a lack of clear evidence to the reason behind the decoration, instead of choosing a woman centered explanation about a woman issue, they’ve choosen a man centered explanation of a woman issue. A woman could not independently decide she like lace, in this explanation, she has to be consumed with what a man thought of her undergarment and choose it accordingly. Essentially, the explanation given in this paragraph is extremely disempowering to women.
Comment by Ellie — July 19, 2012 @ 1:51 pm
Actually I think the “idea” of a bra or a restraining device is probably older then that. I can see women maybe binding them selves at certain time. Maybe hunting so running is more comfortable. Using some hide or such. Just because it dosen’t have satin or lace dosen’t make it out of the running.
Comment by Karen M — July 19, 2012 @ 6:22 pm
Hmmm…I don’t think it said the suitor was male.
I think this is a really cool find.
Comment by Sarah — July 20, 2012 @ 7:28 pm