Yahoo News: 600-year-old linen bras found in Austrian castle

VIENNA (AP) — A revolutionary discovery is rewriting the history of underwear: Some 600 years ago, women wore bras.

The University of Innsbruck said Wednesday that archeologists found four linen bras dating from the Middle Ages in an Austrian castle. Fashion experts describe the find as surprising because the bra had commonly been thought to be only little more than 100 years old as women abandoned the tight corset.

Instead, it appears the bra came first, followed by the corset, followed by the reinvented bra.

One specimen in particular "looks exactly like a (modern) brassiere," says Hilary Davidson, fashion curator for the London Museum. "These are amazing finds."

Although the linen garments were unearthed in 2008, they did not make news until now says Beatrix Nutz, the archaeologist responsible for the discovery.

Now if I could just find my laundry ticket I could get that back. I think the ticket is in the kitchen drawer with my "Christ will soon be born" fortune cookie. And my map of the (flat) world. Hugs, Devlyn

After 600 years, dear, those brassieres would need waist straps.

Just for giggles the discovery has started a basic S*** storm with costume historians, and living history people.  there are claims that the "panties" found at the site are actually male briefs (braccae),  like my hips could hold a string bikini bottom in place