Viewers of the venerable television series “Bewitched” may have observed a big shift in Elizabeth Montgomery’s dress selections in the later seasons. Against the prevailing fashion, Montgomery’s character Samantha Stephens famously refused to wear a bra in multiple episodes. Even if viewers may have found this break from tradition surprising, Montgomery made this choice for artistic and practical reasons.
For Montgomery, deciding from wearing a bra was a conscious creative decision made in conjunction with the producers and costume designers of the play, not just a personal one. The character of Samantha came to be more and more connected with concepts of empowerment and liberation as “Bewitched” developed and moved into its latter seasons, reflecting the shifting societal mores of the day. By going braless, Montgomery wanted to capture Samantha’s self-assured and carefree personality while questioning conventional ideas of femininity and embracing a more organic and carefree look.
In addition, there were practical reasons for the choice to forgo a bra because actresses could find the constrictive undergarments of the day uncomfortable during extended hours on set. The producers of the show wanted Montgomery to be comfortable and free from any extra restrictions so she could completely play Samantha. For that reason, they let her to forgo a bra. Montgomery may have dressed differently for the period, but in the end, it helped to convey the essence of the times and enhance the character’s depth.
