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The word brassiere is derived from an old French word, braciere, which means “arm protector.” It actually refers to a French military uniform. Bras mean “arm” in French, and later the term was used for a military breast plate, and eventually a woman’s corset. One problem of determining the true origin of the brassiere is that is been used in French for several centuries. The terms bras, abbreviated bra began to show up as in the mid-1930s.
The brassiere was originally worn as an alternative to the corset. It was intended to be worn at home, as a negligee. The brassiere, or “bust supporter” became a necessity for full-breasted women with the introduction of the straight-fronted corset, which didn’t offer much support, as did earlier styles. The earliest brassiere was designed to hold the bust in and down. It had either a wrap-around bodice or was a boned, close fitting camisole, either style was worn over the corset.
In Europe today, the French word for a bra is soutien-gorge, which means breast support. Brassiere refers to a baby’s vest, or undershirt today. In Quebec, brassiere and soutien-gorge are used interchangeably.
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