The Bra Revolution


莊茵喻

        A few months ago, a movie aroused much discussion for its unusual subject --- the bra.  The Hong-Kong made movie 」La Brassiere」 demonstrates the mass acceptance of the bra with a plot that had the two leading men work to create the perfect bra design for women.

In the past, people have many taboos about bras.  They were convinced that bras are full of filthiness and bad luck.  Female underwear weren』t allowed to dry in public for fear they might bring misfortune.  Moreover, a woman wearing a pair of colored bras would be regarded as dissolute and immoral.  In short, women are even taught to hide the fact that they are wearing bras; their bodies are a source of shame.

In today』s world, because of the changes in culture and women』s position, bras function not only as a cover for the body but as accouterments.  Since Madonna wore her bra outside, a bra revolution has begun.  In regard to size, design, material or function, women today have more choices to choose their ideal bras.  Bras are no longer considered unmentionable; they are the symbol of sexiness or charm.  Women can even pick the bra with the right color to suit their clothes or mood.

        The different meanings of bras between earlier times and nowadays reveal that women no longer think of their bodies as a shameful thing and women are willing to treat themselves well.  People generally admit that bras represent a kind of sex appeal and a necessity for women.  We can wait and see what this current trend will lead us to in the future.

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