La Magia

Because we are so heavily inspired by vintage lingerie, the bullet bra is one of our most popular items. We have many different bullet bras, mainly from What Katie Did, and people are often curious about them. So we thought it was about time we had a look at the origins and heritage of the bullet bra.

Lots of people think of Madonna circa the 1980s with her longline pointy bra designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, but the bullet bra harks from way before this time, back in the 1940s. Made famous by Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner and Jane Russell, the bra created a busty shape known as the "Sweater Girl" look.

Due to its pointy shape it was also known as the torpedo or cone bra, and was often made from either nylon or satin with spiral stitching and not a wire in sight. Bullet bras were never padded but women often put a little padding at the point of the cup to keep them pert! (A tip for you girls, cotton wool works very well!)

So what happened to the bullet bra? Why did it fade out of mainstream style? Well trends come and go, and during the 1960s there was a move towards underwires and padding. But the appeal of the bullet bra endures among those of us who strive for a bit of old fashioned glamour, and I am sure they will continue to be a bestselling item for La Magia for many years to come.

View our selection of bullet bras and retro inspired lingerie.