Posted on 10/04/2005 1:03:36 PM PDT by pissant
Read this and weep, guys!
The push-up bra that launched a thousand lusts is experiencing a plunge.
Sales of the Wonderbra are plummeting --the original push-up bra that became a cultural icon and made mountains out of molehills.
But there's good news for those fond of the bigger-boobs-for-your-buck look. The bubble hasn't burst just yet. Push-up bras continue to be a big favourite in Canada, despite the fact that in Europe, especially England, sales have dropped 10% in the past year.
TNS Fashion Trak, a European fashion market analysis company, is the company that found that sales had dropped. It's said this is mainly due to the change in fashions away from the overt displays a la Britney Spears to the more covered up boho styles currently in vogue.
But the famous cleavage bra has not been totally discarded over there. It's still selling well -- mostly to women ages 45-54, who make up 22% of all sales.
Which makes sense. The Wonderbra has been an integral part of their personal lives since 1964, when it was created in Montreal by Louise Poirier of Canadelle. It was later licensed to the British company Gossard, who've had huge success in recent years with advertising campaigns starring supermodel Eva Herzigova.
The Wonderbra was a sensation when it was launched, selling more than 25,000 a week by 1991 and igniting millions of fevered male dreams all over the world. It's been a top seller ever since. When launched, the manufacturers said the bra had 54 separate design features. But women didn't care about design factors -- the new "power bra" gave them instant luscious, full cleavage even when their assets were small.
This brought them a whole lot of male attention. Bras and breasts became the errogeneous fixation of the Western world and Victoria's Secret catalogue the new Playboy magazine.
Having been reasonably endowed in the bosom department, I never hankered after a push-up. I tried one out when they first appeared on the lingerie scene but felt I looked like a ship in full sail.
The concept of all this bolstered enhancement, however, has always disturbed me. I've always wondered how women dealt with the "moment of truth" -- the time when the bra inevitably comes off in front of an intimate partner. Has disappointment become common for men as those yummy mammaries crash (or shrink) into normality before their eyes?
Of course, years ago a clever woman would make sure a man's desire level was at such a peak at that point he barely noticed. But maybe with today's blunt, no-frills, casual approach to sex and sexuality, he notices but is used to the idea of such promise ultimately delivering little.
Perhaps that's one reason why push-up bras are losing ground with women. How long can anyone keep up the false advertising? But maybe there's a lot of women who make love with their bra on?
However, despite the declining sales of the Wonderbra in Europe, Canadian women apparently haven't lost interest at all in bust-enhancing, cleavage bras.
"There's still a strong focus in Canada on women making the best of what they have," says Shelley Thompson, buyer of fashion bras for The Bay across Canada, "and women of all ages still love and want the push-up, padded bras."
CLEAVAGE
La Vie En Rose has relaunched the Water Bra, which increases breast size by up to a full cup. The cups are filled with water and mineral oil, instantly creating cleavage.
But La Senza, Canada's largest manufacturers of lingerie says they've found a decrease in push-up bra sales, finding women are tiring of the "pneumatic" look and opting for a more "natural" style.
"Women still want to look sexy," says Caroline Sacchetti, executive vice-president, "but they're opting for less push-up and more lightweight, lightly padded bras that enhance while giving good support."
In fact, in a survey La Senza found that 56% of Canadian women said "comfort" is the No. 1 feature they look for in a bra.
But maybe the movement away from the thrust-it-up-and-all-out-there bosom has more to do with the growing sexual confidence of today's independent women, especially those who are single.
Maybe they prefer to rely on less overt and more lasting assets to interest the opposite sex?
Like heck. We all know only too well what still works. Blatant cleavage -- real or otherwise.
A push-up bra is still dating's ultimate weapon. It's death has been much exaggerated.
You mean a woman with small boobs made that statement.
I've heard the term hooters used for both sexes. ;o)
Are you sure they're not merely sagging? ARF! ARF!
Bras are tools of woman oppression.
After 9:00 PM, I live a different life. LOL
All righty then. So I guess when Hooters get male waiters and they wear those short shorts....we'll get to see men hooters.
(I think I just lost my appetite!)
The life of a man in bed, waiting to get up the next morning so that he can go to the office and freep!
"Igor, damn your eyes!"
"Too late!"
Over the shoulder boulder holders : )
These days, women who think that their breasts are "inadequate", resort to having surgery. I tried push up bras, but my cup ran over, not to mention that they're uncomfortable.
Don't worry Pissant, women will always have breasts, just like there will always be death and taxes...
What nature has forgotten...
I'll bet that is a sight to see.
Yup you're right about the surgery. One of my exercise class instructors has them. When she lays down, you can see the implant. I don't know how attractive that is to guys but it seems as long as guys can see them they don't care :o)
HI, I cannot believe that you are not here.
YES
Bras are not a bad thing. I don't want to walk around seeing a bunch of ugly, saggy boobs jiggling all over the place.
A woman shouldn't wear them all the time though and esp. not at night before bed. Sometimes women's health should trump but some men find attractive.
I just meant boobs ought to be corralled in public.
Well yes esp. under a fishnet top :o)
The argument for women going braless in public has a couple of outstanding points...
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