For the past several years it seems women have simply given up when it comes to fighting the appearance of bra straps. The evidence is walking the streets and runways, sitting on the cover of fashion magazines and in boutique windows, and rocking the stages as even celebrities make underwear the new outerwear. Women and girls everywhere seem to be enjoying the comfort of a bra that still has its straps!

Though this is certainly a new fashion trend, females of all ages everywhere are welcoming it as somewhat of a revolution. If we take a look at the history of the bra, it’s easy to see the simple reasons for the newly accepted fashion trend. The fashion industry has always possible played the largest role, tirelessly shaping styles and trends. But we must also consider environmental social demands which have also contributed reasons for major changes in the way women dress, as they have driven personal feminine needs. One thing is clear, as we track the actual history of the bra, the straps are, and always will be, crucial to the concept.

For decades woman wore corsets. The corset was worn tightly for two reasons. The first was to push up the breasts and then hold them in place, and secondly to make the waist seem smaller. As Women\’s Lib became a social drive demanding to be heard, resulting in women entering the work force, something more practical than the corset was necessary. In addition, health professionals deemed the corset unhealthy as women were having severe spinal issues as a result of years of constraint. And so, the \”bra\” was born. The bra was defined as \”having shoulder straps.\” The focus was on support and comfort. It just seemed to make sense and it was quickly accepted.

However, fashion was not headed in the same modest direction of the bra. Shoulder bearing designs like tube tops, spaghetti straps and strapless tops and dresses hit the runways with a splash. Though woman had come a long way in terms dressing, working and behaving more as they pleased, the bra was still considered an undergarment and it was not acceptable to show it\’s straps. And so the strapless bra was born, which was and still is an oxymoron, since again, the original definition of the bra was that \”with shoulder straps.\” But what was a girl to do? The steamy styles were just too hard to resist, so strapless bras flew off the shelves.

It\’s important to note that many health professionals believe this is when woman began buying bras that were really too small. The reason is simple. To resist gravity, woman often buy a 32\” when they really need a 34-36\”. The idea being that the bra fits so tightly around the torso, it is more likely to stay in place and hold up the breasts. Breast cancer has greatly increased in the last three decades. Studies show that by impeding proper circulation of blood and lymphatic flow, tight clothing can contribute to the formation of cancer.

Next came the shelf bras. First just found in tank tops, woman went crazy over this less than perfect solution. Before long, shirts of every kind could be found with a sewn in bra of some sort. Though a step in the right direction, the shelf bra clearly had some shortcomings. It did indeed offer a little lift, but lacked real support and shape. After several years of popularity, this style seems to have faded from magazine catalogs and department store racks.

The main reason for this is the next step in the bra evolution, the one we’re living in today, the age of the exposed bra strap. They are literally everywhere! Though at first, not everyone was completely comfortable with the new look. Those of us who grew up hiding our bra straps had a hard time embracing the concept (these are the same woman still wearing panty hose to the office every day). But even with the rejection of a generation, exposed bra straps see, to be here to stay.

As it has become sociably acceptable, it seems the only criticism is the quality of the strap on display. It seems that as long as they are clean and match, they pass. The convertible bra is so popular now, allowing us to mix and match straps as we like. Though most of us are not a fan of the clear bra straps, decorative bra straps are becoming more and more popular. There are several online stores like Exposed Envy, which offer a style of removable straps for every girl’s dilemma. From embellished rhinestone to printed fabric, it appears to be a perfect compromise.

Rarely do we take a step forward and then a step back, so it stands to reason that bra straps on display are here to stay. Which is a good thing for woman everywhere. Every woman has breasts and unless we start burning our bras again, it is nice that society allows us to also have bra straps. Our mothers may still think it a bit tacky, but then again, for the most part they\’ve packed up their spaghetti straps altogether. Maybe it\’s like childbirth, they\’ve also forgotten how uncomfortable strapless bras are! In addition, which is tackier, a bra strap or a girl losing her top on the dance floor? A nicely worn fashionable bra strap, or yanking one’s dress and bra in place all evening? Yes, it\’s nice that we can now show our bra straps. I think the most important thing is to just keep the straps clean and pretty. Invest in a nice bra that fits and some nice straps changeable straps. Stay away from clear bra straps as they are just tacky. Make a classy statement with them, maybe use them to add a splash of color, keep it clean and keep it classy. As long as this is the case, there is no reason the bra strap can\’t be a girls best friend.

Kelly Carroll is the owner/operator of Exposed Envy. Exposed Envy Bra Straps and Accessories offers women unique fashion solutions. Carroll also writes content and articles for various sites and publications. Http://www.exposedenvy.com is also dedicated to charity.

Kelly Carroll is the owner/operator of Exposed Envy. Exposed Envy Bra Straps and Accessories offers women unique fashion solutions. Carroll also writes content and articles for various sites and publications. Http://www.exposedenvy.com is also dedicated to charity.

Author Bio: Kelly Carroll is the owner/operator of Exposed Envy. Exposed Envy Bra Straps and Accessories offers women unique fashion solutions. Carroll also writes content and articles for various sites and publications. Http://www.exposedenvy.com is also dedicated to charity.

Category: Womens Interest
Keywords: bra straps, clear bra straps, fashion trends, fashion