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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: rainbow sprinkles
Think outside the bra.

I must admit... when I see cleavage... I am always thinking outside the bra.

21 posted on 05/30/2007 1:47:36 PM PDT by bedolido (I can forgive you for killing my sons, but I cannot forgive you for forcing me to kill your sons)
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To: dighton

Jaynes little girl

22 posted on 05/30/2007 1:48:41 PM PDT by al baby (Hi mom)
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To: johnny7

McDonald's Sausage line production.....


23 posted on 05/30/2007 1:49:14 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: M1Tanker

24 posted on 05/30/2007 1:49:53 PM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: dighton

Thanks for the mammaries (to paraphrase Bob Hope)


25 posted on 05/30/2007 1:51:04 PM PDT by wordsofearnest (Zachary Taylor s/h finished the job.)
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To: al baby

26 posted on 05/30/2007 1:51:15 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: DCPatriot

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn! I am not sure if you ruined my day, or made my day, but that pic sure twisted my day!


27 posted on 05/30/2007 1:51:29 PM PDT by avacado
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To: DCPatriot

wow you don’t get many of those by the pound


28 posted on 05/30/2007 1:52:22 PM PDT by al baby (Hi mom)
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To: martin_fierro

um,, uh,,uh, um.. , ok.

See, the simple matter is this..... low cut blouses are much safer than micro-miniskirts!


29 posted on 05/30/2007 1:54:27 PM PDT by JoeSixPack1 (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. Tomorrow is always the busiest day!)
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To: DCPatriot

As a rule of thumb...

Your bewbs shouldn’t be bigger than your head.

Unless you are a transgender.

Then, who cares.


30 posted on 05/30/2007 1:55:09 PM PDT by agent_delta
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To: bedolido
LOL ... even the ones rented out as billboards?


31 posted on 05/30/2007 1:55:36 PM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: rainbow sprinkles

“’...you really have to use your breast power responsibly,’ Squires said.”

LOL! Strap on your Utility Bra, Breast Woman! To the Breast Mobile! :)


32 posted on 05/30/2007 1:55:43 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: atomicpossum

33 posted on 05/30/2007 1:56:12 PM PDT by al baby (Hi mom)
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To: avacado

Salma Hayek


34 posted on 05/30/2007 1:57:31 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: rainbow sprinkles

Wow. I’m surprised the mods haven’t nipped this one in the bud.


35 posted on 05/30/2007 1:57:38 PM PDT by BJClinton (Jimmy Carter: the Renaissance Man of incompetence)
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To: DCPatriot

LOL...


36 posted on 05/30/2007 1:57:42 PM PDT by johnny7 ("But that one on the far left... he had crazy eyes")
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To: rainbow sprinkles

Why the hat? Is anyone looking at her face?


37 posted on 05/30/2007 1:58:38 PM PDT by atomicpossum (Replies must follow approved guidelines or you will be kill-filed without appeal.)
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To: rainbow sprinkles
D-cups: YES, Decaf: NO.


38 posted on 05/30/2007 1:59:02 PM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: DCPatriot
Yikes! The gals you posted could cause an evening commute disaster!


39 posted on 05/30/2007 1:59:09 PM PDT by Daffynition (A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.)
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To: johnny7

Are images of banned former Freepers allowed?


40 posted on 05/30/2007 2:00:32 PM PDT by xp38
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