Comments on: Cleavage: how much is too much?

By: Ross

Ross — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:50:34 +0000

I am a man-and I do think women have the right to wear what they want at the workplace, I do believe in equality between the sexes, but some women do use their sexuality to their advantage at work. some women deliberately dress sexy to distract men at work – they enjoy using that power they have over them and now that men are even afraid to stare or make any comment about it because of harsh sexual harrassment laws women nowadays are free to wear whatever they want in the office and theres nothing men can do about it and that is why much more women now are showing more cleavage, breasts enhancers, tight blouses, push up bras – they are flaunting it – - what am I supposed to do when all around me are flashing cleavages, bouncing breasts, skimpy tops, I get horny, I cant help it, it arouses sexual thoughts in me and it distracts me from my work. I try hard not to stare because I know women wouldn抰 like that but its hard,- Ladies is this fair what you are doing to men? Tell me what you think- Id like to get a ladys opinion
Ross

By: A Guy

A Guy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:33:15 +0000

An interesting discussion. I’ll chime in with what may be a minority opinion among guys, but I tend to avoid girls/women who show cleavage. A few scenarios:

(1) It’s that work situation that Angie alluded to: Please, please, let me just interact with you as a professional coworker. If you’re proficient at what you do, I’ll find plenty to respect and appreciate about you. My respect is something you can take to the bank, whereas my gawking is entirely worthless to both of us.

(2) It’s outside of work, and we’re not romantically involved with each other: If you’re showing cleavage, I’ll respect your right to dress as you please, but I’ll probably politely take my leave in very short order. Because I find it tiring and uncomfortable to studiously avoid your breasts while trying to take in the person I’m talking to. That’s alright: plenty of other guys will be happy to talk to you.

(3) We’re in some kind of relationship, other than marriage: Our relationship will either grow or not grow, independently of your breasts. I’m probably well aware of your form and appearance, but what I’ll be trying to build our relationship on is friendship, character, interests, beliefs, values, and so on. Classy or casual, dressing modestly will do much more to capture my affections than the alternative.

(4) We’re married and by ourselves: If we’ve gotten this far, and you want to show some cleavage before taking everything off, I’m okay with that.

I hugely appreciate when women around me dress modestly, and I find that it makes them no less beautiful. But as others have suggested, there’s probably some leeway between what you wear and how you wear it. Just my own views.

By: Ross

Ross — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:29:53 +0000

I used to work in this place where there was a woman with huge lovely breasts – who worked at the desk opposite me – sometimes she would thrust out her boobs in fullview of me when stretching herself- but i tried to keep my eyes on my work and not to be distracted – i felt embarrassed to oogle – i didnt have a problem with not staring

By: Gina

Gina — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:55:43 +0000

I have a personal policy of not showing my cleavage at work. I’m rather small-breasted (32B/C) so it’s pretty easy for me to keep everything covered. I’d actually have to make a point of wearing a push-up bra and a particularly low cut shirt if I wanted to show cleavage. In other words, it would be completely intentional.

I don’t find it inappropriate for other women to show cleavage in the work place, especially if its a small amount of cleavage on a larger-breasted woman. In that case, her top usually isn’t as lowcut as some of the stuff I wear, but she just has more that will stick out. As a supervisor, I’ve never had anyone show such an inappropraite amount of cleavage that I felt it had to be addressed. I did recently have to address the issue of thongs sticking out of pants (isn’t that trend loooong past anyway?????).

Only one time ever did I break my own rule and show cleavage in the work place. I was going to a work-related party after work, and some of the other women at that company tended to dress a little sexier for those events, and I wanted to match. I ended up spilling wine on myself and ruing my cami and blouse. I took that as a sign, and have never again shown cleavage at work.

By: patricia

patricia — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:42:35 +0000

If it’s impossible to cover all yor cleavage, then I think a little bit is ok depending on the type of work u do.. scoop necks and v-necks do look the best on women with big boobs ( like my mom) but, my main issue is with the nipple!! I just think it’s inappropriate!! I’min a meeting and i have to stare and them for an hour!! ugh please ladies wear the right size/fit/shape if you know yor nipps are on the larger size. I canunderstand I have pretty “poky” nips, but i choose great bra’s that have a little tiny bit of lining so that I don’t have to constantly do the TMI thing! lol %)

By: Sassy

Sassy — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:15:58 +0000

I am a 34E and I usually always wear a camisole underneath everything I wear. It doesn’t help that I’m 5′2″. I will always look top heavy.
In this regard, I ALWAYS make sure I’m covered up at work (hence cami’s!).
I have to comment because my husband came home the other day complaining about a woman he works with who was wearing a button down top with several buttons undone. He said he was having the hardest time explaining the new application to her because he was trying so hard not too look down.
Studies have shown that the eye gravitates toward skin and with a large expanse showing its difficult for anyone to keep their eyes straying from errant cleavage.
Sometimes, I have experienced this same effect with my colleagues who wear low cut ensembles. I have my own cleavage, I don’t need to look at someone else’s but I know how hard it is to avoid looking.
For this reason, I think cleavage is inappropriate in the workplace… depending on what you do, of course.
Outside of work, I have no issues with it.

By: Skirt junkie

Skirt junkie — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:41:37 +0000

I’d consider a discreet cleavage ok, also in the workplace. I don’t like too much cleavage, nomatter the context.

I’m from Denmark, and I think we are a bit more liberal concerning what we consider OK to wear in the workplace than you are in the US.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:25:41 +0000

Kyla – I agree that there is a difference between showing some collarbone and neckline and upper chest area and what would be cleavage. I think cleavage is the line between the breasts – not the entire chest area. Good clarification and point!

Wow! What a topic….

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:09:03 +0000

I am a single, 27 year old who works in a print shop (all my co-workers are men), and I am very busty. Our office dress is very casual but I think it is respectful to my co-worker’s wives to cover my cleavage. Maybe I am being overly modest, but I know men are visual creatures and I don’t want to give them any food for thought.

It is hard to find shirts that look good on me and cover my cleavage. My best friend is the cami, because even I am sometimes tired of seeing my cleavage.

By: Angie

Angie — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:10:31 +0000

More food for thought. I had a suspicion that viewpoints would differ and that’s great. Variety is the spice of life.

At the end of the day, I guess it’s horses for courses. A few of you have touched on this already, but I think it warrants extra mention. Where you are in the cycle of life seems to play a role as to whether you’re comfortable sporting cleavage or not (and tolerating it on others as well). Are you young, single and carefree, or married with children. This stage of life seems to impact your judgment on the subject. That’s interesting in itself.

Carissa, I’ve had that blog post up my sleeve for a while. I love the suggestion that you made to your client too. Spot on.