Bra-Logie

The least used piece of clothing during quarantine was supposedly the bra, as claimed by numerous articles. I had to think about that for half a round around the Alster first. Why on earth should we get rid of our bras now just because we're working from home?

Every morning after getting up, the same ritual: coffee, jogging, washing, moisturizing, a little makeup, and putting on an appropriate daytime outfit. Of course, that always includes a bra. I love bras! They are my most beautiful garment, and I have always mainly worn them just for myself. Beautifully hidden under layers of undershirt, T-shirt, blouse, or sweater, it is closest to my skin there. Only we two know the pleasure of Brussels lace or midnight blue silk. My bra gives me support and posture, even when I wear it wireless. I don't need to cheat on top. Only very rarely do I wear lightly padded foam cups. With my cup size of 75 B, I am average in the German bust size comparison.

 Bra: Marie Jo Pearl - Living Coral

By the way, when doing sports, I prefer bustier tops made of Lycra. It's quite a squeeze, but I don't like the feeling when the bust swings freely. When doing yoga or jogging, I prefer not to feel any clothing at all. Like Eve in paradise, I just want to listen to my breath without any material distractions.

The custom that we women cover and support our breasts actually dates back to ancient Greece. In Sparta, women are said to have bound their breasts during sports events to appear more masculine. In the 19th century, simple bodices with padded breast enhancers were common, which already closely resembled today's bras. In between, the corset had its moment, but in the end, only the bra survived. Yes, I even dare to claim that there are no more diverse designs than those with the tiny pieces of fabric of breast outerwear: elastic, cylindrical, mischievous, assertive, flattening, smoothing, firming, and revealing. And even the wild 70s couldn't harm the bra – its supportive role remained intact. Feminists were able to rid themselves of the constricting corset, but the bra was allowed to stay. Solely because of its orthopedic effectiveness, as a large bust can cause shoulder problems due to too much weight. Perhaps more women than men therefore prove to have backbone. Like many other garments, the bra was also subject to the dictates of fashion: boyish in the 1920s, rounded in the 1930s during the war, and pointed in the swinging 50s. Then in 1994, a milestone in the history of the bra followed: Wonderbras conquered the busts with their new shapes and materials. Now there was no stopping it, and a lingerie boom descended on us like locusts. The most expensive bra ever produced is the Fantasy Bra (2000) with a purchase price of 15 million dollars. This summer, the bra is celebrating its comeback as a bracelet worn under a blazer. And those who want to follow the trend will probably have to do more crunches instead of butt exercises. The focus this season is clearly on the center of the body.

So why should I now get rid of my beloved bra just because a virus is currently blocking my usual field of activity? We are learning right now that everything is changing, we can't hold on to anything, and everything will be rearranged. So why not at least let myself be protected by my bra wires, or should I rather say "pampered"?

According to Karl Lagerfeld, many have already lost their dignity by wearing sweatpants, so why be sloppy on top as well? All we have is the here and now – and that is our bra. No more, but no less. It helps me bring structure to the day, and by closing the hooks I take a stance. And posture is very important to me right now: it breaks down my fear of the future into digestible little bites. My bra gets me into the first gear of a new day with homeschooling, hang-out meetings, window cleaning, and putting three meals on the tables. I am currently juggling my new company and family in a very tight space and am supposed to get rid of the only piece of clothing that supports me? Sometimes I feel the too tightly set straps of my bra in the evening when my body has expanded from the day, and the clasp on the back sometimes pinches me. No wonder – it has a heavy load to carry on these days. When I undo the hooks, I observe my skin breathing a sigh of relief. It's like yoga: tension - relaxation. A cycle that gives me security.

But it also shows me how much my bra has supported and carried me, and the thought of having a helper is almost comforting. As a thank you, I sometimes massage the marks away a little with massage oil, look in the mirror, and am happy that I was able to experience another day without pain and illness in my closest environment, that I didn't have a panic attack or cabin fever, that I managed to go shopping, and that I have no more tragic blows of fate to digest. I smile at myself, think of my children and what ideas they have come up with today to pass the time at home. I lovingly hang my bra on the hook so that it can rest and be ready to go again tomorrow. It doesn't let me down and I don't let it down.

You can find my worn models as well as countless other beautiful styles in the Marie Jo Online Shop! *Advertisement/In collaboration with Marie Jo