The bullet bra is a 1940s–1950s silhouette defined by circular-stitched conical cups that project forward into a pointed tip. Popularized by Hollywood starlets like Jane Russell and Lana Turner, worn under tight sweaters to create the "sweater girl" look of the era.
The silhouette fell out of fashion in the 1960s but persists as a retro / pinup / rockabilly style (Dita Von Teese, Madonna's Jean Paul Gaultier corset from the Blonde Ambition tour).
How to Identify
- Pointed, conical cup shape
- Visible concentric circular stitching on the cup
- Often satin or cotton, rarely modern fabrics
- Underwire optional (original 1950s versions were wireless)