The bullet bra, also known as the torpedo or cone bra, was a popular women’s undergarment in the mid-20th century, providing shape and support before underwire and padding. It was worn by pin-up models and actresses like Marilyn Monroe, but fell out of favor in the 1960s with the introduction of more comfortable bras. Madonna brought it back in the 1990s, and it remains popular among vintage lingerie enthusiasts.
A bullet bra is a type of women’s undergarment that was first worn and popularized in the 1940s and remained popular until the 1960s and 1970s. This garment takes its name from the conical shape of the cups made for this type or fastener, which resemble the tips of bullets. These bras were especially popular during the pin-up era of the mid-20th century, and many models from that era were seen in this type of bra. While the bra eventually fell out of favor due to changing manufacturing techniques and fashion trends, there are still some fans of vintage lingerie who appreciate these garments.
Also called a torpedo or cone bra, a bullet bra is a particular style of bra designed to provide greater shape and support for a woman’s bust, prior to the use of underwire and padding in bras in the late 20th century. These bras were usually made of satin or nylon and usually consisted of several round pieces of fabric, sometimes connected by “spokes” that extended from the center of each cup outward. The name “bullet bra” as well as “torpedo bra” are quite indicative not only of the taper created by these garments, but also of the post-war mentality and nomenclature of the 1940s and 1950s.
Models and actresses of that era greatly popularized the bra, and wearing these bras under rather tight-fitting sweaters gave rise to a fashion style known as the “sweater girl” look. The shape of a woman’s bust while she was wearing this type of bra was often accentuated by wearing such a sweater, creating an attractive visual profile for the wearer. Actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Lana Turner made these bras and the “sweater girl” look pretty famous. Pin-up models of the 1940s and 1950s, such as Betty Paige, also often posed for calendars and lingerie photos while wearing a bullet bra.
However, the bullet bra was ultimately a victim of changing technology and fashion, largely falling out of popularity in the 1960s. At this time, underwire and padding were introduced to bras, and while they were initially rather uncomfortable, the support and shape provided by such garments was still desirable. In the late 1960s and 1970s, many women made moves to ditch bras altogether or demand more comfortable clothing. Singer Madonna brought the bullet bra back to the public in the 1990s, after which it remained a popular garment within a niche market for vintage lingerie.
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