Feminists

Starry Messenger

(32,375 posts) Wed Jul 18, 2012, 07:04 PM Jul 2012

600-year-old linen bras found in Austrian castle [View all]

http://news.yahoo.com/600-old-linen-bras-found-austrian-castle-192408678.html

VIENNA (AP) — A revolutionary discovery is rewriting the history of underwear: Some 600 years ago, women wore bras.

The University of Innsbruck said Wednesday that archeologists found four linen bras dating from the Middle Ages in an Austrian castle. 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.

One specimen in particular "looks exactly like a (modern) brassiere," says Hilary Davidson, fashion curator for the London Museum. "These are amazing finds."

Although the linen garments were unearthed in 2008, they did not make news until now says Beatrix Nutz, the archaeologist responsible for the discovery.

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39 replies

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600-year-old linen bras found in Austrian castle [View all] Starry Messenger Jul 2012 OP

i thought that coco channel invented the bra. iemitsu Jul 2012 #1

I think the rocket bra came later, 1940's. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #2

Mary Phelps Jacob is usually credited with inventing the modern bra REP Jul 2012 #4

I love this but would like to know why they think women didn't wear LaurenG Jul 2012 #3

They swear that medieval women went commando. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #5

I know, I guess they were all just sent to the barn for a week each month to LaurenG Jul 2012 #15

They must have worn diapers. Manifestor_of_Light Jul 2012 #21

That's interesting. LaurenG Jul 2012 #24

My grandmother described something similar in her autobiography. Crunchy Frog Jul 2012 #33

So did mine Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #37

Yep. nt LaurenG Jul 2012 #39

Were they underwires? Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #6

They almost look like it, don't they? Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #7

Modesty? I'm thinking utility myself... REP Jul 2012 #8

Yes, linen would be good for that. Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #9

Not really 'good thinking' - it's the main reason I wear an Iron Maidenform myself! REP Jul 2012 #10

Yup. FloridaJudy Jul 2012 #11

I would love a linen bra. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #12

lol! robinlynne Jul 2012 #26

Somebody should do reconstructions and put them on the market. Crunchy Frog Jul 2012 #34

I wonder if the woman that invented the bra ever got any credit or compensation Zorra Jul 2012 #13

Are you kidding? Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #16

Not true at all - women were allowed inheritances they were just last in line for property, money, Hestia Jul 2012 #18

I keep forgetting the rights of women have fluxuated. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #23

Wasn't the bra invented by Harry Titsling? ahg Jul 2012 #14

According to Trivia Pursuit. I always thouight that answer was thrown in for lumpy Jul 2012 #31

For those thinking this is really "modern" Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #17

The description calls those a bikini. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #19

Actually what this discovery informs us about Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #20

I've always associated corsets more with the Victorian era. Crunchy Frog Jul 2012 #35

That's a spoof. Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #38

I'm sorry, but is that a wardrobe malfunction I'm seeing there? Thor_MN Jul 2012 #22

And the old german word for those bras would be "Holds 'em from flopping." Botany Jul 2012 #25

Die Brustenhalter is the German word, I believe. mysuzuki2 Jul 2012 #27

Danke Botany Jul 2012 #29

Bitteschoen meine gute Freund(in). mysuzuki2 Jul 2012 #30

and in related news, mysuzuki2 Jul 2012 #28

There's no written history of "unmentionables" ? Gee, I wonder why ... nt eppur_se_muova Jul 2012 #32

Somebody must have invented the bra and panties LONG AGO. Manifestor_of_Light Jul 2012 #36