Cleavage: Coming to an office near you
Filed under: Sex Sells, Career, Relationships
Noticing a bit more cleavage at work? You're not aloneNo matter where they are, women seem to be showing off their cleavage more than ever before by wearing plunging necklines and tight tops. Is this simply a fashion trend or are there other factors? According to Elisabeth Squires, author of Boobs: A Guide to Your Girls, American breasts are getting bigger while shirts are getting smaller. But that is only part of the story. A layered style of tight shirts seems to be a major fashion trend fueled by a look that is very popular in Europe.
Whether you shop at American Eagle, Hollister, Wet Seal, or Express, the clothing look pretty much the same. Form-fitting camis and midriff-exposing tops are on display for all ages to embrace. And that is part of the problem. What looks great on a 20-something female can look ridiculous on a 40-year-old.
And yes, the weight issue can be part of the problem. To look really great in this clothing, you have to have an almost perfect figure. And lets face it, most of us don't. Walk around any public place and you will see women with the tell-tale "muffin top" spilling over too tight pants and a low-cut top.
Even for those with perfect figures, there is a question of when to use breast power. What is appropriate for an evening out does not necessarily translate into a professional appearance at a board meeting. 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.
I can't help wonder what the other women in the office thought.
Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. For her FREE e-mail newsletter, please visit: The People Pro
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-08-2009 @ 10:10AM
Thomas said...
This is so unprofessional. There was a time you could tell if she was dressed for the work place or going out to party but now it is the same. I won't purchase from a place of business whose staff is dressed in an unprofessional way because if they, the company has no interest in what is going on with their employees then they aren't interested in the person who is shopping there or in the product they are representing.
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7-08-2009 @ 10:38AM
Bob said...
It can be distracting for most men. A better bet is reasonable cover-up to keep minds professional and positive.
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7-08-2009 @ 10:12PM
Wen said...
I think many older women who show too much breast at the office or other places are doing it for a reason not mentioned. Once their girlish young figure goes they still have breasts that look good, with help from a push up bra. So, the focus is on the big puppies hanging out of the bra, not the big belly down bellow. Their message being "look at my great boobs, not the rest of my body". I feel like, because I don't have a big chest, that I have to work harder to keep the rest of my body fit and trim. No matter what your size, showing it all off at the office is inappropriat
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7-11-2009 @ 6:44AM
Sharon McEachern said...
You mention a recent cleavage study in which men were asked which size breasts were most professional. I agree with you, I too would like to know what other women in the office think. But even when the subject being discussed is women, it's a sad, discriminatory fact that most people still seem to value the opinion of men the most.
So, I wonder what men think about the fact that health insurers still charge women more than men for health insurance. After all, speaking of cleavage, insurers don't have to pay for men to have mammograms, do they? Health insurers have admitted to charging women more than men; and yet, the same health insurers said in recent congressional hearings that they would stop charging women more -- if only the government doesn't step in to further regulate. Gee, how come they didn't do this before? Read more about this at:
http://www.ethicsoup.com/2009/06/health-insurers-claim-they-will-stop-charging-women-more-than-men.html
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7-09-2009 @ 4:00PM
Flanagan said...
Just don't forget that women's car insurance is less than mens. It's a trade off, higher health insurance for lower car insurance.
7-08-2009 @ 12:52PM
Bas said...
Frankly, any self-respecting over-40-year-old shouldn't be buying their clothes at American Eagle, Hollister, Wet Seal, or Express - they aren't designed for "all ages."
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7-08-2009 @ 10:59PM
aawindoze said...
Wow, I'd buy space on that real estate!
RT
www.anonymize.tk
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7-08-2009 @ 11:42PM
Joe said...
Should or shouldn't don't do much good unless you own the place.
I worked in a small office but got laid off a month back - but the girl (who worked half as hard as me and my mates) with the pow-pow chest and plunging top got to stay on!
Gee I wonder if the two factors had anything in common......
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7-09-2009 @ 1:35AM
Sharon said...
I also think that all the women in a workplace need to dress according to her position, in as much a professional manner as possible. In my experience, where I work I have seen the "pretty girls" get away with dressing down regularly, flip-flops, casual tops, you name it. The rest of us better be covered up if not invisible. Management only makes comment against those of us in lower positions or with not as much sex appeal as some of those behind a desk. At any rate, the same rules should apply to everyone.
7-09-2009 @ 1:15AM
adamdaubauew said...
I'm against the cleavage mostly because of sexual harassment issues. If girls are going to be allowed to dress with less then they need to expect to be stared at or hit on and I think that they shouldn't have the right to complain unless they are being slapped on the ass. If girls aren't comfortable with having everyone stare at their breasts then they need to cover up. I love boobs but being in the navy taught me that women are ticking time bombs who can get anyone in trouble just by saying they were harassed whether or not it actually happened and they'll do it just because they're in a bad mood.
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7-09-2009 @ 1:49AM
VanLeasing said...
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9-14-2009 @ 11:10AM
Ross said...
Of course women should be allowed to show as much cleavage as possible in the office, wear push up bras, miniskirts, tight shirts, high heels and low neck lines- if men are distracted thats mens problem not the womans- women have the right -noone has the right to tell them what to wear. If men kept their eyes focused on their work and stop staring at womens boobs then there wouldnt be a problem. I think men are getting used to the idea of having female colleagues in revealing clothes around them and its not such a big deal. They should be educated to respect women to eliminate sexual harrassment in the workplace
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