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Cleavage: What's Appropriate, What's Not
ABCNews ^ | May 29, 2007 | staff reporter

Posted on 05/30/2007 1:26:52 PM PDT by Daffynition

The weather's getting warmer and necklines are dipping lower -- sometimes, too low.

From the beach to the mall to the office, women seem to be showing off their cleavage more than ever before. Why? According to Elisabeth Squires, author of "Boobs: A Guide to Your Girls," American breasts are getting bigger while shirts are getting smaller.

"We are seeing more cleavage these days for a few reasons. First, the fashion of the day is tight and skinny. At the same time, women are bigger than they were even 15 years ago. Bra fitters tell me that an E cup is the new C cup," Squires said on "Good Morning America."

"We have to remember that while more women are showing more cleavage, you really have to use your breast power responsibly," Squires said.

What's Appropriate When

What looks sexy for a night out on the town may not be appropriate in the workplace. In fact, Squires said cleavage should never make an appearance in the office.

"It's way too big of a distraction for men and women," she said. "If cleavage isn't in your job description, don't put it in."

But that doesn't mean breasts should stay hidden. According to Squires, the appearance of breasts can help women in the workplace.

"A recent study showed men photos of women in a workplace with large breasts showing cleavage, medium breasts and small breasts. When asked about who looked most professional and personable, the men chose the women with medium-sized breasts," she said.

"You don't have to be flat-chested to be taken seriously," she added. "You just have to be proportionate. For women who are small busted, that may mean a little padding. For well-endowed women, that may mean a minimizer."

Squires suggested that women also keep things respectable at family events, like a kids' soccer game.

"This is not the time to show off your girls," she said. "Your children should not have to compete with your cleavage for attention."

Night is prime time to bring out breasts, but Squires suggested women treat their cleavage as part of their outfit -- not a focal point.

"You can certainly be a bit more daring," she said. "This presumably is adult time, and cleavage is powerful. This is the time to use it. But they should be part of your whole look."

Pregnant women are an exception to the rules. Squires said because pregnancy gives breasts a boost they might not have otherwise, women should show them off.

"During pregnancy you should celebrate your breasts. For some women, that's the only time they have cleavage," she said. "Obviously you don't want to go nuts. But cleavage on a pregnant woman is just different -- live it up a bit."

Squires said women of a certain age can still show off cleavage, as 61-year-old Helen Mirren proved at the Oscars.

"It has to be integrated into your entire look," she said. "If a woman of a certain age squeezes her girls together, she'll get the wrinkled, crepelike look. That's not good. But if you're older and you wear a scoop neck and you have beautiful, what the French call decollete, that's great."

Tips for Every Woman

Squires offered advice all women can heed to make their breasts look better:

Don't be in bra denial. The average woman changes bra sizes at least seven times in her life. Get fitted and accept your number and cup size.

Think outside the bra. A strong back and shoulders -- good carriage -- makes your whole body look better, including your breasts. Don't concentrate so much on your underwiring. Concentrate on the rest of your body.

Be good to your girls. Breasts are unique, and the truth is that men love them all. Be more accepting of your body. Most women think breasts only come in two sizes: too big or too small. It's not true. They're beautiful; be good to them.


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: cleavage; decorum; fashion; modesty; moralabsolutes; professionaldress
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To: martin_fierro

LOL

Cleavage... I did go through that line a couple of times when the good Lord was passing out the blessings; should have gone through the “keep the sarcastic comments to yourself” line a few more times! :-)


161 posted on 05/30/2007 6:06:08 PM PDT by RikaStrom (The number one rule of the Kama Sutra is that you both be on the same page.../Exeter 051705)
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To: Slings and Arrows
Don't mess with the master.

I am nerdier than 100% of all people. Are you a nerd? Click here to find out!

162 posted on 05/30/2007 6:38:32 PM PDT by glock rocks (Please pray every day for our Patriot Armed Forces fighting to protect our way of life.)
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To: DCPatriot
Aaaaaaargh!!!

I am nerdier than 99% of all people. Are you a nerd? Click here to find out!
163 posted on 05/30/2007 6:58:13 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools.)
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To: rainbow sprinkles

LOL!!!!

Check out the young kid checking out those hooters! Classic!


164 posted on 05/30/2007 7:00:36 PM PDT by avacado
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget


165 posted on 05/30/2007 7:02:28 PM PDT by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon))
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To: glock rocks

Ummmm I write software.... what is your excuse ;-)


166 posted on 05/30/2007 7:15:54 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools.)
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To: All
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

167 posted on 05/30/2007 7:34:03 PM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (...He had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here...-- Worst.President.Ever.)
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To: rainbow sprinkles

Kitteh haz a bukkit!

(Yes, I am addicted to CanIHasCheezburger.com)


168 posted on 05/30/2007 8:15:25 PM PDT by bootless (Never Forget - And Never Again. And Always Act.)
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To: bootless

Oops - it’s ICanHasCheezburger.com.


169 posted on 05/30/2007 8:25:23 PM PDT by bootless (Never Forget - And Never Again. And Always Act.)
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To: bootless

Hey Bootless!!!

Haven’t seen you since SnF!

I’ll call!


170 posted on 05/30/2007 8:47:32 PM PDT by agent_delta
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To: agent_delta

Hey you! It was great to meet you in person after all this time in the same zip code!

Since SnF I’ve been to Santa Maria, as advertised, and then back east for both my sister’s wedding and my father-in-law’s memorial service. A real emotional jet-lagged swing. Nice to stay home a little.

Thanks for the hello!


171 posted on 05/30/2007 8:57:04 PM PDT by bootless (Never Forget - And Never Again. And Always Act.)
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To: GSWarrior
"I can see your dirty pillows. Everyone will." "Breasts, Mama. They're called breasts, and every woman has them."

A Stephen King fan, I see.

172 posted on 05/30/2007 9:04:49 PM PDT by Hacksaw
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To: rainbow sprinkles

so we can have this crap but we can’t read about the teen whose genitals fell out of his pants...not fair....


173 posted on 05/30/2007 10:54:43 PM PDT by cherry
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To: Slings and Arrows
Good grief! Another test? OK ...OK ... Picard.


174 posted on 05/31/2007 2:33:08 AM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: DCPatriot; Xenalyte
And not a mention yet of Janet Jackson? People? People ... what's the matter?


175 posted on 05/31/2007 2:39:12 AM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: GoldCountryRedneck
LOL

We should dedicate this thread to the newly departed [and not mentioned] Anna Nicole ...


176 posted on 05/31/2007 2:46:04 AM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: bootless; Slings and Arrows
It's ALL Slingsters fault!


177 posted on 05/31/2007 2:50:16 AM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: avacado
Czech out these puppies!
178 posted on 05/31/2007 2:52:50 AM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: glock rocks

I call BS.

You love NASCAR and can BBQ.

I rest my case.


179 posted on 05/31/2007 4:44:40 AM PDT by Eaker (Free The Texas 3 - Ramos, Compean and Hernandez)
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To: rainbow sprinkles; bootless

For the record, I am not actually an orange tabby cat.


180 posted on 05/31/2007 5:11:33 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows ("I AM A SEXY SHOELESS GOD OF WAR!!!" --http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0439.html)
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