In My Journey to Lhasa, Alexandra David-Néel only mentions "cotton undergarments" as an indication of what she wore under her long cotton shirt. To keep my clothes as authentic as I can, I will be finding the early 1900s equivalent to anything like this that isn't fully explained in her books. This means sports bra's are out the window for this trek...
I've been doing lots of research on many things from the early 1900s, especially women's underwear. The interesting thing is that bras and pants actually weren't all that different to what they are now, they just seem to have slightly less support. This concerns me, as nipple chaffage is always going to happen if you wear the wrong bra to the wrong occasion.
Below are a few of my options for this journey - which one do you think would work best in the mountains?
1920s Elastic Breast Girdle
I like it, but maybe not for this trip.
1920s Flat Bra
A strapless bra just won't do.
1920s Bra Advert
There are definately a few potentials here. Middle top row looks promising.
1930s Frilly Bra
I love this. But we are starting to get into underwired push up territory in the 1930s.
1950s Rocket Bra
No. Plus I think I'm pushing it with the 1950s. (Alexandra travelled until 1924).
Find out which bra wins my trust, and how my nipples held up in a few months time when I'm back from my journey!