BRA
Evaluation of a female undergarment by Melody Mui
Introduction
Bra is a female undergarment, that could serve to cover, restrain, reveal, support, or to enhance the breast of women. It is a complex garment made from many parts, that could run from twenty pieces to fifty pieces. The invention of bra dates back to the 14th century, where it was a corset for the wealthier women in the Western World. Today, bra replaces corset and comes in many forms, each of which serves different purpose.
Process
The process of choosing and wearing a bra is a school of thought. Let's play the video below and sit through the lecture together.
Needs
Although wearing bra can be troublesome, women still choose to wear it for various reasons, such as social norm adherence or aesthetic purpose. Since bra is a every day garment that is in close contact with body, issues can arise from choosing to wearing the product. In addition, mass-produced bras assume that women’s breasts are equally sized and symmetrical. Through a primary market research with 8 females, needs are identified and summarized in the following table.
| Concern |
Needs |
Score |
| It has to be concealing enough to not show |
Bosoms won’t be exposed |
5 |
| If I don’t wear it, chests can move as I move (don’t like the loose feeling) |
Bosoms can stay in place |
5 |
| Bra's wires can get pokey vs I need wire to hold them in place |
Wire can be optional |
4 |
| Sometimes, I feel like restrained |
Feeling free and comfortable |
5 |
| Hard to find the exact fit, it takes hours |
Shorter time in searching |
4 |
| Bra patterns won’t show through my shirt |
Look decent from outside |
5 |
| Feel sexy and pretty |
Beautiful design |
3 |
| I sometimes would unhook the bra secretly in public |
Hook can be easily on and off |
3 |
| Bras are expensive, so I buy the brands that I trust |
Trustworthy |
3 |
Solutions
Based on the primary research, it is found that bra is a necessity in covering the chest and providing supports. Social adherence forbids women to skip this process. In addition, chest size and occasion can affect the choice of bra and the feeling of wearing it. Two solutions are proposed as below:
(a) Easing out the search process
Currently, there are a few newly established brands that are addressing the comfort issues, such as Tru&Co. and ThirdLove. One of the possible solutions is to have an interface, platform or SaaS that can facilitate users in trying and building trusts with the new brands.
(b) Replacing the hook with magnet
In addressing the restrained feeling, detachment or attachment of bra hook should be made easier. Magnetic paper can be a good alternative.
Next Steps
Further researches should be conducted on whether the new brands are truly more functional and comfortable than the traditional brands. In addition, experiments should also be done to test the holding strength of magnets.
