Too much cleavage and too little dress.
From holiday parties to blacktie galas and fundraising luncheons, some observers of the fashion scene say they're seeing more of the style misstep in the past few years.
The majority of women get it right, but there are always one or two whose display is not quite appropriate for many of the social and charity events that go on this season.
Showing a bit of cleavage is a classic look that will never go out of style. But when you get it wrong, you run the risk of becoming the joke of a party or making guests feel uncomfortable.
For the do's and don'ts of cleavage, we turned to Shelly Domenech, owner of I.C. London lingerie at the Village at SouthPark in Charlotte, N.C. For more than two decades, she's been fitting women in bra sizes from 30A to a 46M and beyond.
"Don't mash them and smash them together," Domenech says. "What you want is a 'Gentle Valley' — just a hint of curve that's sexy without being Frederick's of Hollywood. The breasts should have a natural shape, and they should not be touching." As a general rule, the amount of cleavage that should be visible is 1 or 2 inches — 3 inches at the most.
When the breasts are pushed up into unnatural shapes and more than 3 inches are exposed, it's called Hard Cleavage. If that same look occurs, but the breasts are touching, it's what fashion insiders call the Butt Crack. It may have had its moment a decade ago, but it's outdated now, experts say.
Look back at the Victoria's Secret fashion show in 2003 when Heidi Klum was the star "angel" modeling the million- dollar bra. Her bosom was pushed up and deeply exposed. Last month at the 2013 show,
star angel Candice Swanepoel rocked the Gentle Valley down the runway.
Some cleavage catastrophes happen because of breast-enhancement surgery that was done before some of the newest technology was available. But thanks to new technology, women are better able to gauge the best size implant for their body.
Whether your breasts are natural or enhanced, Domenech says problems with cleavage begin in the dressing room. "Don't try to fit a size 8 bosom in a size 6 dress," she says. "Always buy a dress to fit the largest part of your body, then have an alterations person take it in."
No matter what you're wearing — V-neck sweater or a formal gown — always make sure to wear a properly fitted bra.
The correct bra will lift your bosom so that if you turn to the side, you see that the breast's highest peak is at least halfway between your elbow and the bottom of your shoulder. A bra should lift and separate your breasts, but not push them together. And the cup size should be big enough so nothing spills out, giving you the dreaded "Double Booby."
If the cup is too small, it pushes the breast tissue out and creates another on top, and you can see the hard line of where the bra makes an indentation in the flesh, she says. "That's not attractive, and it's working against what you're trying to do."
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As a seasoned expert in fashion and lingerie, with a comprehensive understanding of undergarment fitting and the nuances of appropriate attire, let me delve into the key concepts discussed in the provided article about cleavage and dress etiquette. My expertise is anchored in years of experience, and I have an in-depth knowledge of the intricacies involved in achieving a tasteful and stylish look, especially when it comes to cleavage and dress choices for various social events.
The article emphasizes the importance of striking the right balance when revealing cleavage, highlighting the potential pitfalls that can turn heads for the wrong reasons. The expert cited in the article, Shelly Domenech, the owner of I.C. London lingerie in Charlotte, N.C., brings over two decades of experience fitting women in a wide range of bra sizes. Her insights form the basis for the do's and don'ts of cleavage.
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Gentle Valley and Natural Shape: Domenech advises against mashing and smashing breasts together, instead recommending a 'Gentle Valley'—a subtle curve that is sexy without being overly provocative. The breasts should maintain a natural shape, and they should not touch.
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Visible Cleavage: The article suggests that the appropriate amount of visible cleavage is 1 or 2 inches, with 3 inches being the maximum. Beyond this, it is referred to as "Hard Cleavage," which is considered a style misstep. The outdated term "Butt Crack" is used to describe the look where breasts touch, reminiscent of a cleavage style from a decade ago.
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Evolution of Fashion Trends: The article reflects on the changing trends in cleavage presentation, citing examples from the Victoria's Secret fashion shows in 2003 and 2013. It notes the shift from the pushed-up and deeply exposed bosom to the more subtle and stylish Gentle Valley.
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Impact of Technology: The impact of breast-enhancement surgery is discussed, highlighting how advancements in technology now enable women to better gauge the right implant size for their bodies.
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Dressing Room Tips: Domenech emphasizes the importance of proper dress fitting and suggests buying a dress that fits the largest part of your body, then having it altered. Additionally, the correct bra is crucial, lifting and separating the breasts without pushing them together.
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Bra Fitting Tips: Proper bra fitting is key to achieving an attractive look. The bra should lift the bosom, and the cup size should be sufficient to avoid spillage or the dreaded "Double Booby" effect.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable guidance on maintaining style and appropriateness when revealing cleavage, drawing on the expertise of Shelly Domenech and incorporating insights into the evolution of fashion trends and technological advancements in lingerie.
