They'll Put Your Eye Out - The Iconic Bullet Bra

There is no denying that the fashionable ideal of a human silhouette has never stood still, as a slave to changing fashions and mores of the time, it has undergone countless drastic re-iterations over the centuries. From dramatic crinolines of the 1800s to the flat, androgynous looks of the swinging 20s, and the endless permutations and variations in between; it has constantly been moulded by the dictates of times. One of the clearest examples of this is the ever-changing and evolving shape of the bra over the last century – in particular, the dramatic bullet - or cone - bra!

While popular bra shapes have changed every decade since around the 1900s, it was innovation (both technological and creative) that gave rise to the daring experimentations of the 1950s; the decade that saw the meteoric rise of this dramatic bullet shape. But could contemporary fashion sensibility ever embrace such an exaggerated shape again as fully as it did back then?

The fun and experimental spirit that led to the creation and popularity of a bra shape of such extreme projection was in no small part due to the innovative techniques of the times, with designers competing as to who can come up with the most inventive fabrics, padding and underwiring, giving rise to some extreme structures. This was popularised by virtually every Hollywood star of the time – it’s impossible to think of Marilyn Monroe or Diana Dors and not picture them in what has now been termed the most iconic shape of the time.

The rise and rise of the bullet bra did not appear to stop at fashion, as it became iconic in numerous aspects of popular culture and imagination. It is no surprise that this outrageous and overstated bra shape coincided with the years of technological excitement. The space race fed into the imagination of popular culture, with creature features and b-movies proliferated both in sci-fi film and literature. As the technological discoveries paved the way for futuristic dreams, so they did for this aesthetic innovation in fashion.

While the everyday popularity of the bullet shape does seem to have peaked in the 50s, it by no means stayed there. Who can possibly forget the iconic, awe-inspiring costume created for Madonna by Jean-Paul Gaultier in the 90s? Or think of the revival of all things vintage and pin-up without mentioning the contemporary queen of burlesque that is Dita von Teese, who has frequently favoured theatrical and provocative lingerie, such as the cone bra?

So, can this provocative, daring – and sometimes even seen as aggressive! - bra be as popular again? We certainly think so! With the current proliferation of variety and choice of lingerie, there certainly is enough space for fashionable trends alongside retro pin-up styles that are offered by independent designers and highstreets alike. The trend of underwear-as-outerwear seems to march on unabated since it started to dominate style trends around a decade or so ago, and what better underwear to showcase to the world than the commanding cone bra. Gautier was by no means the only couture designer to embrace this audacious aesthetic – brands from Dolce & Gabbana to Atsuko Kudo bring back countless re-inventions of the bullet bra season after season, and high-street stalwarts such as John Lewis are reporting soaring sales of this shape.

Our Black Bullet Bra

In the current atmosphere of unbridled choice and endless stylistic possibility, the only thing that can limit anyone’s sense of their own panache would be their imagination. Never has there been an easier time to express one’s sense of individual self through style than now, as is evidenced by the speedy sell-out of our own tribute to the cone bra here at Playful Promises. Our popular Bettie Page Lingerie line has just restocked the much-coveted Retro Futuristic bra in classic black, and is joined by a new sumptuously sexy red colourway. Looking for a slightly more subtle shape? The softer bullet bras are also available in black, red, black & peach and teal!

As frequently noted – a T-shirt bra this is most certainly not! It creates a seriously commanding effect and is bound to turn heads, and in a world of endless possibility and choice where other, more demure options are plentifully available (and certainly have their place), why not have fun with your lingerie? And we cannot think of anything more fun than threatening to take a man’s eye out with those things ;)

Christmas gift review: One Thousand and One Nights

The Morgana line from Playful Promises Autumn Winter Damascan Dreams collection really does promise one thousand and one nights of boudoir play. A black lacey and racey retro collection, including; underwired bra, brief, thong, suspender belt and garter dress, which I strongly recommend.

Initially I didn't feel the line was as strong as Etti or Jasmine, however the quiet subtlety of the line soon made it's name within magazines, blogs and photo shoots. The Morgana garter dress was an incredibly popular piece to be called in by stylists, often queuing up to borrow it for their shoots.

It wasn't until I got my hands on the Morgana bra did I realise just how wondrous this line was to be. The bra is surprisingly comfortable, I can honestly say I've never had such a comfortable bra. With lace panelled cups and two inch thick elastic, the Morgana bra is a femme fatale bra like no other.

It has a very thin, almost transparent lining between the lacey exterior making it a soft bra to wear. But more than soft-to-touch comfort, the bra offers perfect sleek support which was surprising for such a lacy piece. In particular I like the shallow dip this bra offers, making it a uniquely shaped bra ideal under t-shirts, the LBD or for playful excursions.

The chunky ribbed elastic band, the signature of this line, is really what makes the collection. Such an original trim, comfortable and yet there is something quite racy about this oversized, two inch thick, elastic finish. The attention to detail is sumptuous, this elastic is finished with a small scalloped edge, therefore the elastic isn't cutting into the skin, rolling or other temperamental activity elastic can usually offer.

The brief, also finished with this chunky trim, features a rather saucy triangle cut-out on the back displaying glimpses of unmentionable regions. The lace fabric offers a racy glimpse and the mesh shows off further flesh, making this a real temptress of the night. And I have to say comfortable and sexy to wear, a match made in heaven (or by Playful Promises).

The garter skirt, or suspender belt, is very desirable. Just like the brief, the back of the garter skirt is as detailed as the front. The chunky elastic is crossed over on the back cropping the skirt high showing off your peachy cheeks, welcoming glimpses of your best assets. I really like the cut of this retro-inspired garter skirt. It includes adjustable straps for your stockings finished with a rubber tip to grip your nylons.

The jewel of the collection, steaming the mirror in your boudoir, is the Morgana garter dress. A real show stopper, the garter dress could almost be a little black dress. Perhaps a little risqué, it's definetly something to show off. The underwired bra offers support and comfort whilst the dress shapes your curves. Again a criss-cross cut-away effect with the chunky elastic offers promising glimpses of what lies beneath.

The garter dress is a real must-have for fun in the bedroom and ideal to be worn under dresses and more. But I strongly recommend the entire line for everyday-wear, boudoir shenanigans and shaping your curves.