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News Mar 21, 2008 @ 9:01am

Cleavage Wins

by Britt Aboutaleb

According to a poll conducted by Debenhams, (the British Macy’s), Wonderbra, and all push-up bras, are the greatest fashion invention ever.

A spokesperson for the department store calls them a “weapon for millions of women across the world,” saying it beat out bootcut jeans and miniskirts because “there is no shame in faking the body beautiful.”

Really?

We think it’s weird for women to distinguish something that exists purely for men as the most important fashion invention.

If we had to pick something, we’d probably anoint the stiletto heel, the white t-shirt, denim in general or just bras overall since they eliminated the need for corsets and we should all be grateful for that.

Is the push-up bra the backbone of your wardrobe?

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Fashionista Main

posted by gen

Mar 21, 2008 9:13AM

Hell no. Not overly endowed but never felt the need to push em up. Padded bras are good for certain clothes [when you need more of a curve], but none of it exactly falls under 'greatest invention ever'.

Stilettos and denim [well, jeans - denim rarely looks good anywhere except the legs] are definitely in there... as is mascara.

posted by skepchick

Mar 21, 2008 9:20AM

Oh, come on. Denigrating the WonderBra as an invention made purely for men and then nominating the stiletto heel? Give me a break! At least the WonderBra doesn't destroy your spine.

I'll cast another vote for denim jeans. Tough, sexy, always feels good.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 9:31AM

Mascara.

Best.Invention.Ever.

posted by Softel

Mar 21, 2008 9:38AM

Skepchick I'm right behind you. I had to raise an eyebrow at the stiletto heel. As for the WonderBra, I think that's pretty sad n says something about what we've come to appreciate in fashion. I'm not a fan of reconstructing, enhancing, reducing, swelling, whatever it is of the female anatomy. I'm a fan of expression... The World's Greatest Fashion Invention?! I'd probably say the use of stretch fabric. Blending stable & stretch fibres have changed the way we see clothing... No more elastic round the waist jeans that ballooned around my a**, and cut off circulation around the ankles! And now my fresh white tops really cling to my curves... So that'd be the greatest fashion invention in my books: stretch fabric... that n eyelash curlers ;)

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 10:12AM

Softel, don't eyelash curlers then count as "enhancing" the female anatomy? Really, anything but a burlap sack enhances the female anatomy.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 10:19AM

Lipstick.

posted by Softel

Mar 21, 2008 10:23AM

: ) Taking it too far maybe!? Enhance isn't the right word at all, you're right. Enhancement is great, it's the extremes that get me down. Still my sentiment remains the same. It's sad that the WonderBra of all things has topped the charts!

posted by zapatosnuevos

Mar 21, 2008 10:48AM

I would challenge the idea that makeup isn't made to impress men as well. No matter how you look at it, the fashion industry is really about beautifying women, most often for men. Don't get me wrong, I love fashion and don't think its really degrading, but then neither is the wonder bra.

posted by Jacqueminette

Mar 21, 2008 10:54AM

I bought a push-up bra in middle school, wore it for about a week, and then jettisoned it.

Since then, I haven't even been able to stand so much as molded cups. A bra that fits properly will give you cleavage, regardless; the effect some push-ups have borders on the grotesque.

I don't believe in false advertising.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 11:10AM

I agree! The Wonderbra is not a "weapon" for women to use against men.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 11:14AM

personally, i avoid push up bras all together because i'm fond of my small perky boobs!!

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 12:44PM

Its funny b/c I bought a Wonderbra from an outlet store in Perryville, MD...and wore it for like 4 mths and went to Vickies with it on to find a new bra and those fools told me Wonderbra doesn't exist anymore. I hate Vickies. They never know what their talking about (but i luuvvv the PINK section..lol)

posted by southweststyle

Mar 21, 2008 12:51PM

as a short, small chested, non-curvy gal, I would say the push-up bra is pretty great, but it's for sure a toss-up between those and heels. boobs are great accessories in my book. both my push up bra and my heels help me look more dressy and professional by giving me some curves and allowing me to look people in the eye.

but i will say my favorite part is taking it off and throwing on a sports bra at the end of the day - feels just as good as taking off heels and putting on sneakers!

posted by Fassion

Mar 21, 2008 1:35PM

No. I only own 2 push up bras and never wear them. I just think it's something, among other things of course, that you should have in your wardrobe. Just in case.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 1:50PM

I've got rather large breasts, and personally, I need that "lift" to be comfortable. I don't actually buy the WonderBra brand, but generally use things that are referred to as push-up because they give me the most support.

And this decision has absolutely nothing to do with what my boyfriend thinks.

Moreover, the stiletto heal is considered so attractive because it forces you to tighten your ass as you walk, thus making it appear pert and ready for mating. Claiming that that's *not* for the appreciation of men is a tad absurd.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 2:06PM

Umm - last time I checked boobs are not just for men. they are for feeding infants. No shame in showing them off!

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 3:19PM

If your boobs are on display for babies then get a maternity bra and some pigeons. Babies don't care if your boobs are pushed up and that way they'll be easy access... for babies that is.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 4:04PM

I've finally come to appreciate my small boobs, and then something like this pops up. :)

ps-- another vote for denim jeans.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 4:14PM

I love my wonderbras. It's all I own when I come to bras. Nude color, front clasp padded push-ups. And a strapless padded push up, but strapless bras are the devil.

posted by guest

Mar 21, 2008 5:37PM

Honestly I think pushup bras are just as much there for women as they are for men. Even as a straight women I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice when another girl has a great pair. Push-ups make me look more womanly, and I love them. And truth, I get just as many compliments from women as I do from men when I wear one.

So yeah, fantastic invention, and it gets my vote.

posted by sam alex

Mar 21, 2008 6:18PM

Anything that boosts (ha) someone's confidence is a great invention in my book.

posted by guest

Mar 22, 2008 9:22AM

Well, I'll just say that, as someone who has the tiniest chest you can have before you simply don't have one, I've never felt the need to wear a push-up bra. Maybe it's because I always thought I would look ridiculous/top-heavy compared to my also-flat butt, but on the whole. But I feel that, if having a larger chest doesn't make me feel any more confident than my usual booblessness, I would rather not project that illusion to people I might meet. I guess I'd prefer feeling like I'm being genuine and honest than having a big rack, just for the sake of my own self-confidence.

posted by gen

Mar 22, 2008 11:27AM

Skepchick - I'm gonna defend the stiletto here. Good stilettos are comfortable [got a pair I can wear for two days solid, day & night, without problems, and I'm no heels pro], they completely change the line of your body & your clothes, and they look phenomenal on everyone [not all women benefit from/need a push up bra, there are some beautiful flat-chested ladies around who'd look absurd with 'm' shaped boobies protruding from their chest].

I shied away from stilettos for years, thinking I couldn't hack wearing them, and only recently embraced them. Now they are my favourite thing, and always prompt compliments from guys AND gals. And they're an absolutely iconic fashion item. Damn right they're a great invention.

posted by guest

Mar 22, 2008 3:21PM

boobs can also be appreciated by -- GASP! women!

who like women! who wear wonderbras!

in a contest between the stiletto, which has made countless women look like uncoordinated fools, and a push-up bra, i'm gonna have to vote for the bra.

posted by guest

Mar 22, 2008 6:38PM

push up bras are definitly for there for men.
not for yourself.

maybe for your own confidence...due to the male attention.

but its not exactly as if you spend a whole day staring down at your boobs enjoying them.
and push up bras are not as comfy as normal ones.

so why would you wear the less confortable one 'just for fun'.

anyone who is claiming its 'for themselves' is kidding themselves.

posted by guest

Mar 23, 2008 1:56AM

Anything that makes you feel beautiful and confident is a success in fashion. Fashion exists to make us enjoy the way we look. Any invention that can help you find joy in the way you look is wonderful, whether it be stilettos or a fabulous bra. I like getting dressed and primped for myself. And if to tell the truth, women dress for other women, because we're our own harshest judges.

All that aside: PANTS for women. We started looking like bosses rather than secretaries.

posted by guest

Mar 25, 2008 4:12PM

It's pretty funny when people say push-up bras are for men. I'm a woman and I feel like they're there for me. Who doesn't enjoy seeing some luscious cleavage on a fine looking woman? You don't have to be a lesbian to agree that boobs are fantastic and pushing them up and together is just icing on the cake.

posted by guest

Mar 27, 2008 11:24AM

I'm a 34D, and I'm not really deceiving anyone either way, I find with push up bras I get a bit more lift than with regular bras plus cleavage, which I personally happen to enjoy. I'm also single so this isn't for any love interest. Boobs are a great body part so if you got it flaunt it right?