For kicks I decided to take a trip down memory lane and dig up an old model bra that used to be ubiquitous. Way back when, after we grew out of the "Teen Form Training Bra" days, we didn't have Victoria's Secret, or Aerie, or Soma, and we had nothing like Bralettes to soothe our distorted boobs. Shopping for bras created quintessential memories of Body Shaming to the maximum. In high school, I think everyone I knew wore a 34 (not because they fit!), in basic white Playtex, or Maidenform bras that looked just like this.

I loved Bali "natural woman" bras, but I was most partial to Olga bras. I can't remember the model name (Bodysilk maybe?), but there was a certain "front-close" bra that basically got me through high school and college. It seemed front close bras were more available then. This was good for me, because the alternative was (as shown in these photos) to have my tissue smashed down all over my ribcage, with weird extra pointy unfilled fabric at my nipples. I used to think this meant I was "flat-chested". And maybe I am, but not in the way I thought as the time! This particular Bali Flower Bra doesn't look very good under my clothing because it's shape is really out of date. This thing provides lift like no other, I'll give it that. However it tried to project the lift (literally) into the tips of the cups so boobs look like thin tubes with conical ends.

I am so grateful for the invention of the T-shirt bra! We've come a long way!

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 08, 2017 Flag this

• Show all comments (13)
• I remember these, too :-) :-)

• Thank you for the throwback! I relate - my first bra was a Playtex 18-hour bra in 36C, which didn't fit in sooo many ways.

• The Bali Flower I used to have was a soft cup. And like you said , extra unfilled pointy material at the nipple area.
  My favorite bras I had when I was in high school in the 1980's were made by @ Vanity Fair and @Lilly of France. I had a front closer made by @Lilly of France that I thought was really my most comfortable bra.

• This was my every day bra in high school...size 34DD. Later, in college, I wore "minimizers" by Lilyette, Wacoal, Olga in 34DDD. I now wear my correct size of 30FF.

• The Bali Flower is still made today, not sure who it actually fits.

• I graduated from high school in 83, and Olga were the bras I wore the most too. I think I wore a 34DD, which sort of maybe almost fit? I couldnt wear front closures even then, because the gore on those was always too wide for me, and hurt. I wear a 32JJ now, but I weigh like 45 lb more than I did in high school, so you know I was never really a 34. Or a DD.

• 1

  oh, and - no t-shirt bras in my size still

• I think I've blocked it out of my memory, lol!

• My first bra was similar in shape, only worse. And it looked hidiou and I hated its. It was 34B and SO ill-fitting :( I wear 28F now.

• My first bra was similar in shape, only worse. And it looked hidiou and I hated its. It was 34B and SO ill-fitting :( I wear 28F now.

• 1

  I had a few of these, my how times change! Yep always pointy, but they were comfortable. Probably why they are still being made.

• 1

  I had a few of these, my how times change! Yep always pointy, but they were comfortable. Probably why they are still being made.

• My Bali Flower soft cup was white and I wore size 34B.

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