Women have worn some form of undergarment to support the breasts far longer than most realise. These forms of supportive undergarments have existed in different forms. The modern bra as we know it today did not come into existence until 1910 and it was not until the 1930s did functional bras become a common sight.

The brassiere which has now been shortened to bra was now being worn by women but the cost meant it was out of reach for many. It was not until the end of the Second World when new kinds of material were increasingly available and production and marketing increased, creating a demand for a greater variety of consumer goods, including bras.