The Overwire Bra
With the most recent Bettie Page collection we went for authenticity - each piece has exquisite details such as zig-zag stitching along the edges, perfect spiral-stitching on the cups, and finishing touches such as cushioning on the inside of the bras to prevent rubbing from the wires.
We're particularly proud of our overwires in the collection, which are hard to come by in modern brands, mostly because the wires themselves are hard to come by. One difference we made was instead of using a single wire for both cups, we updated this to suit busy lingerie drawers and made two separate wires, which mean the bra can be folded in half for storing.
In the 50s, overwire bras were largely about creating a fashionable shape, rather than providing support and lift. With the wire being over the top of the bra rather than the bottom, this creates a more projected bust, suited to the "New Look" style that was so popular. The style would have been useful to smaller busts to replicate that famous hourglass silhouette created by Dior. Most of the weight from the breast will be taken by the band, so if you're between sizes it's best to size down in the band for this bra.
The bra also worked perfectly to the plunging necklines and strapless dresses of the time because of the unusual V shape of the wires. However, we've added removable straps to our Red and Black overwires to help with support if you want it!
What do you think of overwire bras? Could you wear them daily, or just for fun?