The Bullet Bra

The bullet bra gives the ultimate 1950s pin up girl silhouette. The bullet bra was actually available from 1939, but WWII put plans on hold so it wasn't until the early 1950s that the bullet bra put breasts centre stage. It's shape was even more extreme than that of bras in the 1940s and the spiral stitching emphasised the cone shape.

Claudia Schiffer in What Katie Did's Maitresse Bullet Bra for Vogue Russia

For the less well endowed padded versions were soon available and 'gay deceivers' or falsies (develped by Warners in the late 1930s) became extremely popular.

Gwyneth Paltrow in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Vogue UK

Bullet Bra Brands

Maidenform was the brand that really put bullet bras on the map when they launched their 'I Dream' advertising campaign in the USA. The campaign showed women in their bullet bras looking confident and indepent alongside lines including 'I dreamed I stopped traffic in my Maidenform bra'. The range included a spiral stitch bullet bra which soon became the breast shape of the 1950s. Maidenform's Chasonette bullet bra was finally launched in the UK in 1955 with the slogan 'What makes it so special? Spiral-stitched to round as it accentuates'.

Rihanna in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for GQ UK

What Katie Did revived the bullet bra in 1999, starting with a cotton version, before moving on to more glamorous satin. The bullet bra was one of the first pieces Katie wanted to recreate as there was nothing available at that time that gave an authentic 1950s silhouette, and vintage pieces were few and far between.

Victoria Beckham in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Harpers Bazaar UK

What Katie Did In The Press

The What Katie Did bullet bra was designed to be a niche piece, appealing to hardcore vintage fashion fans, but over the years the look has become more mainstream and What Katie Did's bullet bras are frequently featured in the press worldwide from Vogue India to Vogue Italia and everywhere in between!

Nicole Scherzinger in What Katie Did's Maitresse Bullet Bra for The Daily Mail

What Katie Did On Film

What Katie Did Bullet Bras are the first stop for wardrobe departments of the stage and screen. Our bullet bras first made an appearance on stage worn by London's Royal Ballet at London's Opera House, more recently they've been used by Glyndebourne Opera House for period pieces.

Kate Moss in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Vogue Italia

Film appearances inlcude The Nowhere Boy, X Men First Class, and My Week With Marilyn where all the female cast wore What Katie Did bullet bras and shapewear under their costumes to get the right silhouette.

Claudia Schiffer in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Paris Vogue