Cleavage and Business Attire - YouLookFab Forum

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Cleavage and Business Attire

Eva

How much cleavage should one show at work? What is too much? On this topic in a magazine article, a woman said that she should be able to wear what she wanted because all that mattered is her work. I agree that women should be evaluated for their abilities, however, I began my career in the 90’s when women were still struggling against gender discrimination. I don’t remember seeing much cleavage in the workplace then. I think what is acceptable depends on where you live as well as what industry you work in. (I also believe how well endowed you are plays into the equation.) I live in Seattle, which I believe is conservative regarding apparel coverage. (When I moved from LA, I had to toss out all my short skirts.) I am in the insurance industry which I also consider to be more conservative. I probably show more cleavage today, than I did in the early 90’s, but not as much as I see in the pages of the magazines. What are your thoughts on appropriate business attire and cleavage?

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Nicole

Nicole

Veteran

Oh man Eva, you definately struck a chord with me regarding cleavage. I look best in V neck tops. Crew necks tend to make me look matronly. So, basically, the shirts that look best on me show some cleavage. Add to this, the fact that I work in a law office--granted a pretty laid back one, but I still like to look professional. (And by professional, I don't mean "like a professional.") I am always worried that I am showing too much cleavage, and I have actually left work to go home and change my shirt because I realized that sitting down changed the neckline of my sweater. I have a boatload of camisoles and tank tops that I wear under just about everything. This keeps the cleavage factor under control.

So, I don't think women should strive to look sexy at work, unless their jobs require a little sex appeal. But the funny thing about cleavage is that it's mostly women who notice inappropriate cleavage exposure. Nobody wants to feel their accomplishments at work are being overshadowed by another woman's breasts (or any other part of the body).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is a topic that I feel strongly about. I believe that modesty is the best policy in any professional setting (unless you are a model or dancer and showing skin is part of your job). It’s hard not to show a hint of cleavage when you’re well endowed because you look best in V-necks and scooped necklines, but then as Nicole says, a camisole does help. High necklines are wrong for busty women, and I encourage well endowed women to continue wearing lower necklines with camisoles.

I’ll go further and say that wearing sleeveless is fine, but strappy and strapless are not unless the style functions as a layering piece and the layer on top does not come off. Anything shorter than 2 inches above the top of the knee is too short unless you’re sporting a tunic with leggings. Short skirts creep up when you sit down and this is not a good professional look.

I'm a fashionable but modest dresser so I'm partial to leaving enough to the imagination, especially when it comes to the work place.

mayapple

I don't honestly understand that argument. If that woman wants to be appreciated for her mind and her work, then why is she showing cleavage?

I wear scoopnecks and v-necks myself, but I haven't had any problems keeping things modest (and I am well endowed). I just pop a camisole underneath. Sometimes I cut and resew the straps of my camis so they come up a bit higher and give me more coverage. It's not like busty women have to choose between a burqa and a tube top...there's a happy medium. Button-down shirts are also great (if you can get the waist taken in or find one with darts).

For me it comes down to this: When I'm talking to a man about work, I don't want him looking down my shirt. I want him to pay attention to what I have to say. It has nothing to do with morals or dress codes--it has to do with commanding basic respect and not being treated differently from my boobless co-workers. I agree with Angie that sleeveless tops with thicker straps are fine. There's really no reason for that rule to exist. Arms are not inappropriate and not all sleeveless tops are casual by any means. Showing half a thigh or letting your boobs pop out when you bend over is quite another story.

Every woman I know right now seems to think that 1) they need to hide all signs of their femininity and dress like either nuns or men, or 2) they go to work looking like they're auditioning for America's Next Top Model. I like to think there's some middle ground...

Lina

Member

Mayapple -- One can be appreciated for one's mind and work even if one shows a bit of cleavage (or so it's been argued to me by those who enjoy wearing such clothing in the office).

I work in Hong Kong, which is generally quite conservative about such things (in my opinion -- though I've seen higher cut tops in Tokyo offices, thinking about it) and is layering-friendly. It suits me fine as I'm more conservative in general -- women where I'm from are known to doctor their blouses and dresses which are more decollete. I'm also uneasy with wearing sleeveless shirts or dresses in the office (similar reasons -- my grandmother would rarely allow me out of the house without sleeves), even in the heat of the summer. (Thankfully HK office buildings are near freezing.) I've been fond of making short-sleeved cotton/linen/bamboo cardigans for such purposes (and wear a thick wool sweater in the office).

mayapple

I agree, Lina, and I don't mean to say women who show cleavage automatically don't deserve respect. That's flat-out wrong. Unfortunately that's often how it ends up, or how it might end up, so my theory is why take the risk? It doesn't hurt to cover up, but it could potentially hurt not to.

I just don't think they are doing themselves a favor. You can still look hot, professional, stylish, confident, and competent without going that route. It's perfectly fine and good for a night on the town or even on the weekends or out to dinner...but there's just no reason to let it cross over in the workplace...none at all. I am not a conservative person by any means, but I'd rather give myself every possible advantage and not leave any room for judgment.

Eva

I love Nicole's comment about looking professional and not like a professional. And I agree with Mayapple that there is a middle ground. I love cami's, they are perfect to cover some cleavage. Athough I still have some cleavage showing and I am not well endowed. My sister lives in Hawaii and is much more endowed than I am. She says it is too hot to wear a cami under her tops. I say then don't wear it to work.

I once told a woman at work that I thought her top was lovely, but a bit low cut for work. She work on some of my business, but I wasn't her manager. She defended herself and continued to wear the top to work. Her male manager said nothing. I think

Eva

I love Nicole's comment about looking professional and not like a professional. And I agree with Mayapple that there is a middle ground. I love cami's, they are perfect to cover some cleavage. Athough I still have some cleavage showing and I am not well endowed. My sister lives in Hawaii and is much more endowed than I am. She says it is too hot to wear a cami under her tops. I say then don't wear it to work.

I once told a woman at work that I thought her top was lovely, but a bit low cut for work. She work on some of my business, but I wasn't her manager. She defended herself and continued to wear the top to work. Her male manager said nothing. I think it is sometimes hard for male managers to address the issue with female employees.

I believe you should be able to look attractive and smart without sexy. Save sexy for outside of work.

Nicole

Veteran

Eva, maybe her boss really doesn't see a problem with the attire. I don't think men differentiate between a small amount of cleavage and no cleavage. I think it's more of an issue with other women in the workplace. I couldn't imagine having the courage to tell a coworker her outfit was inappropriate for work. Did she get offended? Did she complain to her boss? I don't know how I'd react if it were me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These comments are very interesting. We are generally talking about an American work environment (although Lina hinted about HK) Throw a countries individual culture into the mix and you’ll get an even more interesting response to this question.

I’m realizing that I am possibly more conservative than I thought on this topic, but I still hold the same view. Mayapple has hit the nail on the head: “I’d rather give myself every advantage and not leave any room for judgment”. Wear a camisole if you’re wearing a low neckline to work - it’s classier that way.

Eva

Nicole, I wasn't offensive in my manner with her. She didn't take offense. I did tell her that I thought the top was lovely. When I say she was defensive, I meant that she defended her clothing choice and thought it was fine. Having said this, it wasn't a small amount of cleavage. She is very well endowed and had a low cut top on and did NOT have a cami under it. A cami would have made it acceptable. She tended to push the dress code often with her midriff showing or low waisted pants that showed her underwear when she sat down, etc...I am in the insurance industry. (And interestingly to note, she was in her later 40's, not 20's as one might think from my comments.)

My thoughts on cleavage is some cleavage is fine (I am less conservative than Angie), but I want everyone in a meeting to pay attention to what I am saying and not my chest. I assume that what is acceptable varies from industry to industry and city to city.

Nicole

Veteran

Eva, That's too bad that your coworker didn't take your tactful advice then. She is only doing herself a disservice by not dressing professionally. People will treat her based on her appearance, regardless of her abilities.

mayapple

Wow I guess this is the one area of my life in which I'm conservative. I guess more than anything else, I just don't see much of a point in showing cleavage at work.

1mansview

Member

1 man's view. I have been a corporate manager for over 25 years.
There is a time and place for Sexy. The work place is not the time or place. This is how most of the men I know feel. We love to look and if you are going to show it, we will. A man will notice what a woman is wearing and how much she is showing as soon as she comes into his view. We are very visual. It could be cleavage, tight clothes or a short skirts. How you look will decide what we thinks of you.
Dressing sexy at work is not good. Other Manager and myself have had this conversation quite often. When a woman comes to work with all of her girls out or clothes that are to tight showing every curve, A man is going to focus on her body not what she brings to the table as a professional. It's to hard to focus on anything else. It's a distraction. You want people to focus on your ablities not your body.
Example, we have Reps coming in and out of our office, a lot of them dress in tight clothes and low cut tops with one exception. One Rep comes in dress like a lady. I have never seen her cleavage. She was professionally dressed and attractive. Since she was professional and classy it made her more attractive as a person and a person you would respect. Almost every man in our office gave their business. She was a lady, a professional, classy and then sexy. We had guys saying things like that is a classy lady the kind you want to do business with or marry.
Example #2 A lady friend told me she went to a managers office and they all looked like they were scared of her when she walk in. I told her the truth, she has an hour glass shape and was wearing at tight sweater with one of those push up gel bras(head lights). It made the guys nervous trying not to look. A man does not want to deal with that in the office.
A man will promote someone who dresses professionally beforehe promotes a sexy lady showing her goods.
Women please leave the sexy for after work and if you are in a relationship save it for your man. That's a wonderful gift to save for him. Leave some imagination at work you will be respected and admired more.

There is no double standard. A man should not come to work with skin tight clothes and his chest hair and biceps showing.

Bottom line women, you are beautiful. You do not need to show everything.
Be a classy, smart, stylish, professional, admired, and respected woman. This will get you promoted, respected and admired.
(Dress for the Occasion)
1 mans view.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I am busty (and wearing crew necks makes it appear like my girls start at my neck) so I also prefer wearing V-necks. I have found a few camisoles that work, but am always on the look out for more. I prefer finding camisoles with a little detailing so it doesn't look like I'm wearing a camisole BECAUSE I'm busty. I like them to look intentional.
Many of you have good thoughts on the modesty issue, so I will leave it at that.

Maya

Veteran

It's so frustrating trying to explain to people that busty girls need to wear lower necklines. The assumption is that we wear lower necklines because we WANT to show cleavage or draw attention to our chests, which is utterly untrue. Women wearing high necklines are seen as being more modest, but if they have a big chest, it just makes them look even bigger. Like Sarah said, it looks like the girls start up at the neck.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_s5vfRP.....rido+1.jpg

http://bp1.blogger.com/_s5vfRP.....ido++2.jpg

Not such a great look, is it? I always use that picture to demonstrate my point. Women with big boobs are always going to have big boobs, and there is nothing they can do about it, so they need to make their chests look as small as possible, and the best way to do that is to wear a lower neckline. The bigger the chest, the lower the neckline should start. This visually lowers where the chest begins, therefore actually making it look SMALLER.

Even when I wear a camisole (which I always do), I still sometimes get a flash of cleavage just from moving my arms close together or leaning over to pick up a pencil. Pretty sad that I or anyone else would be judged for this or deemed immodest or unladylike.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Good point, Maya. I grew up in a very conservative home. I was not allowed to wear pants, jeans, shorter skirts, or any tops two finger widths below the collar bone. Fortunately those rules are no longer an issue, nor am I living at home.
Anyway, my husband put the issue of modesty into a new light for me. Modesty is an attitude, not a particular garment or how it's worn. I think it's good to be aware of things like this and to take measures such as camisoles, etc. But like you said, it can't necessarily always be avoided. And I think in these cases your attitude will speak for you. My two aunts are both very busty and curvy and have issues with this all the time in their professional lines of work. But everyone takes them seriously because they take themselves and their jobs seriously.
And wow, that is definitely not a great look for that poor woman.

Nicole

Veteran

I don't know if that meteorologist works for some rinky dink station, but I thought news shows had people on staff whose job it was to dress the people on camera.

No one should have put that woman in such a tight outfit. Never mind the high neckline--the shirt is too tight and the skirt is too short.