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Bras, b--bs and cleavage

BrieN

Veteran

Angie's comment on Tanya's post highlighted a topic I've been thinking about since the warmer weather arrived here. What are the "modern" guidelines for showing cleavage? What about bras? Can they just be one more element in an outfit? What about bra straps and tank like tops?

I bought the Caslon shirt dress in super bleach recently and like how it looks unbuttoned a bit. I thought a sliver of bra might be ok to show if it gaps a bit when I move. What do you think? I would be tempted to wear a white bra because the dress color is so light. Would I need to get a bra in a different color to show it is done on purpose?

Caslon Popover Shirtdress (Regular & Petite)

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Ivy

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I think I will be in the loan minority but I don mind a peekaboo of cleavage or bra nice dress by the way.

Chris987

Veteran

I suspect, like most fashion questions, it's up to the wearer and depends on where you are going to wear it and what sort of image you are trying to project. In the traditional rules, underwear should not be visible, but lots of people don't follow those rules. For a teenager at her friend's house listing to music...not a problem. If you are trying to be a credible corporate type, probably not so acceptable. Really depends.

That's must my opinion...and I'm certainly not an expert.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

BrieN, you'll find the forum very divided on the subject. Here's my very short version:

As far as possible, no cleavage at the office or in a professional setting. This can be hard to do when you are large in the bust. Wear a Second Base camisole. Exposing a camisole on the otherhand is gorgeous, especially if it's lacy.
No hectic bra exposure in a professional setting, especially when the environment is conservative.
In your leisure time or in non-work settings, I say rock your cleavage in ways that make you feel fab and alluring.
I say the same for PRETTY bra exposure that becomes part of the outfit. It's just a bit of bra, and not a boob. As long as the boobs are covered in public, and the bra looks like it's part of your outfit, we're good.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Btw, slither of bra is fab in that dress. Why not!

Sal

Veteran

I am with Angie - and would use similar rules for midriff or upper legs.

For me personally, I don't show midriff or much upper thigh unless I am at the pool or beach, but I will sometimes have a cleavage. This is to do with my body shape.

I was going through some photos last night of a party 9 years ago and noticed the cleavage showing - funny how fashions change. No cold shoulders though and definitely longer skirts or mostly trousers.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Angie girl you are so alright in my book

Anonymous

It depends on the setting. I am not interested in seeing cleavage or bras at work. I don't care one way or the other outside of the office, but in a meeting, ick.

Sara L.

Veteran

I completely agree with Angie on this one. I think bras and cleavage aren't acceptable in professional settings but fine for non-work situations. I think the exposed bra needs to look intentional if that's the look you're going for. There's some extra strappy ones that I like for that look too (although I don't have any myself).

Colette

Veteran

Agree with Angie 100%.

Elle

Veteran

I agree. Bras should not show at work but, as long as it looks intentional, you can show off your cute bra anywhere else. I know I'm not in the majority, but I'm actually a fan of bright colored bras under white shirts.

jill58

Veteran

Definitely no cleavage at work! I'm astonished when I see this in professional environments.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Agree with Angie 100%...and think that's a casual dress you're probably not wearing to work, so a little bra is just fine .

Now, if I could only find some cleavage....

Just joking, but this is a question the likes of me will never have to ask!!

DonnaF

Veteran

I still remember when DD22 would come home from first grade informing us that her teacher had a pretty blue lacy bra. I'm sure Emily had to bend over a lot to help the kids, and yes, they noticed!

Aida

Veteran

More agreement with Angie!

Zibbets

Veteran

Agree with Angie!
Even in casual, non-work situations, I almost always think it's more attractive to keep bra straps out of sight. Once in a very great while, with just the right ensemble, I think a swipe of colorful strap is cute.

Anonymous

I side with Angie on this one too. I am wearing a similar shirt dress today, which has a slightly too open neck (no buttons at all) and it's a little dodgy if I move around a lot. I am wearing a pretty big necklace that fills that space - for that reason. I can get away with this kind of thing in the job I do, but I would not wear this for a sales conference or trade show. I suppose I could pin it closed - but somehow that never looks right, does it?

Echo

Veteran

I agree with the majority - NOT at work. Aside from that, you do you.

Diana

Veteran

I agree with Angie. No bra/cleavage at work, but outside of work, I don't mind straps or the sides of bras showing. What I don't like is when people wear a regular strap bra with a racerback or strapless top. It just looks so unintentional even if the bra is pretty.

Cococat

Veteran

I'm with Angie all the way.

I don't do cleavage because I was teased by the boys at school when I developed early to a C cup....but it's a personal choice.

Outside of work i have a couple of nice bras that I will wear if the shoulder straps might be exposed.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAH.

I'm high fiving all of you. And here I am saying that the forum is divided on this! I'm usually in the minority thinking that pretty bra exposure in a non-professional setting is just fine.

In the US, I see quite a bit of cleavage in the work place with youngsters. I boil it down to ignorance and lack of training. Children in the US don't wear school uniforms so they have little to no experience in putting together a professional outfit. And they get no guidance from their employers either. Educate the youngsters about how to dress professionally, and they will oblige I'm sure.

Anonymous

AGREE wholeheartedly.

Style Fan

Veteran

I am in agreement with Angie on this one too. I do like a pretty bra strap showing in outfits that are not in professional settings.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm really ambivalent to be honest. I do it, but I'm not sure I like doing it. I do it when I just don't care. But I do think it has to be a colourful bra. White and nude just make me feel like the top doesn't fit. I also feel the top has to be drapey. Like a tailored sleeveless dress in a heavy fabric and a thin strap bra is no go. And with a blazer...I'll be like either you forgot your shirt or I hope you're a famous music artist... Yes! I'm all judgy and hypercritical! I'll work on it Ok.

Bijou

Veteran

This topic reminds me of the classic Seinfeld episode where Jerry said to George that "cleavage is like looking at the sun, you can look, but you have to look away".

BrieN

Veteran

Thanks everyone. I have spent decades wearing unflattering necklines because it is so hard to find a scoop or v-neck that isn't revealing on me. A modest neckline on someone else isn't on me.

jacquez

I personally love to wear a deep scooped back with a (pretty or at least colorful) racerback bra. There aren't many racerbacks that fit me, so the ones that do get a LOT of use in this context, in summer!

Anonymous

BrieN
I wear a 40F bra, so while v necks and scoops look best because I'm big shoulders and curvy, my chest hangs out of everything

I also work in a conservative workplace (bank) so no b---bs hanging out.

I wear camisoles under almost everything. I use the brand Angie mentioned Second Base as they are half shirts basically and cool in the summer. I have also bought tanks from old navy one size down, hacked off under my bust line and presto, a summer weight cami

Just an idea

Nebraskim

Veteran

I, too, vote for no cleavage and not much bra peek in a work environment. I'm a 36A so I actually have no cleavage. I do have a couple of dresses very similar to this and I enjoy wearing colorful sports bras or camis underneath to pop some color and interest.

Ivy

I also agree with the majority here. Echo's reply is word-for-word what I was thinking as I read your question!