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Luckily, woman everywhere have an unflattering pair of white pants owned by Spanx inventor Sara Blakely to thank for the gut-squeezing product she later whipped up. The bra, on the other hand, was technically invented and popularized by two separate women.
The first was New York resident Marie Tucek, who invented something similar to today's underwire model. She didn't promote it properly (what, no one wanted to wear that?), which is where socialite Mary Phelps Jacob came in. Allegedly, the first bra she made was fastened with ribbon and two silk handkerchiefs. She later patented it, people went nuts over it, and now look at us: One nation, filled to the brim with Victoria Secret push-ups, super-duper push-ups, and spectacles like this.
· Clothing Invented & Popularized by the U.S. [The High Low]
· According to TIME, Spanx's Sara Blakely Is a Fashion Icon [Racked]
· 12 Looks from the Victoria's Secret Show In Order of Most to Least Wearable In Real Life [Racked]