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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: Daffynition
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket">
321 posted on 09/26/2007 12:24:39 PM PDT by ulm1 ("democrat" originated as an epithet "'one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses")
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To: Daffynition
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"> GUNESS BOOK RECORD HOLDER
322 posted on 09/26/2007 12:27:25 PM PDT by ulm1 ("democrat" originated as an epithet "'one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses")
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To: Daffynition
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket">
323 posted on 09/26/2007 12:28:34 PM PDT by ulm1 ("democrat" originated as an epithet "'one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses")
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To: Daffynition
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket">
324 posted on 09/26/2007 12:29:28 PM PDT by ulm1 ("democrat" originated as an epithet "'one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses")
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To: ulm1

Is that 57F Crystal Storm? 8-D


325 posted on 09/26/2007 12:31:34 PM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: DCPatriot; ulm1
DCP ... we have a problem on the thread ....how does one deal with issues of aesthetics? Think we can get ulml a scholarship?
326 posted on 09/26/2007 12:36:51 PM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: Daffynition

wow daffy you really know your breasts!


327 posted on 09/26/2007 12:42:02 PM PDT by ulm1 ("democrat" originated as an epithet "'one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses")
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To: ulm1
Actually it was pretty easy ... googled "Guinness cleavage" and it was the first hit on Ananova.

Otherwise I plead the fifth.

328 posted on 09/26/2007 12:59:12 PM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: Daffynition
Ouch!

LOL! The way I look at it, it makes the REAL ones that much better!

As far as women doing that to themselves, I don't get it.

The thread lives on and we've already got some 'keepers'.

329 posted on 09/26/2007 2:24:28 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: ovrtaxt; glock rocks

The test is a phony! I scored an 87. If a redneck like me can do that well, it’s fake.


330 posted on 09/26/2007 7:24:50 PM PDT by B4Ranch (( "Freedom is not free, but don't worry the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share." ))
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To: Daffynition
Me too. But I just had to know.

I am nerdier than 91% of all people. Are you a nerd? Click here to find out!

331 posted on 09/26/2007 7:33:55 PM PDT by Bloody Sam Roberts (Don't question faith. Don't answer lies.)
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To: B4Ranch

You’re in denial.

nerd.


332 posted on 09/26/2007 7:42:28 PM PDT by ovrtaxt (Sworn to oppose control freaks, foreign and domestic.)
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To: ulm1

That’s just ugly.

It looks like two very large tumors.

I really would like to know:

How many of you guys find that attractive? (I don’t mean, “How many of you find that freaky?”)


333 posted on 09/26/2007 7:46:34 PM PDT by bannie
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To: ovrtaxt; B4Ranch
You’re in denial.

nerd.

HAHAHAHAHA...

He's a closet Geek!

334 posted on 09/26/2007 8:58:30 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: Daffynition

Now if they could twirl them around like a hulahoop I’d be impressed.


335 posted on 09/26/2007 9:13:38 PM PDT by cyborg (Long Island Half Marathon finisher!)
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To: DCPatriot
And some current tangential news: Thief manages to lift about 350 bras

That's quite a job ...monitoring internet auction sites for over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders.

336 posted on 09/27/2007 4:38:48 AM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: Daffynition


337 posted on 09/27/2007 9:17:30 AM 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: Daffynition

338 posted on 10/03/2007 8:49:56 AM 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: DCPatriot
Is there a resemblance ...or is it just the hair?


339 posted on 10/03/2007 12:29:48 PM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: Daffynition

LOL! Is that Jane Russell?


340 posted on 10/03/2007 12:54:06 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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