# How to properly "bare" one's breasts. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 4, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429 "2011-08-04T04:35:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/41 "2011-08-05T19:27:37Z")
How NOT to do it. (NSFW) [dailymail.co.uk/](http://dailymail.co.uk/) tvshowbiz/article-2022895/Nicki-Minaj-falls-live-Good-Morning-America.html ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/42 "2011-08-05T20:56:38Z")
> [@Ura-Maru](#): > > Hey, a thread dosen’t have to be about just ONE thing! Of course not. This one is about two things. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/43 "2011-08-05T22:40:35Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > Besides, it’s not like cleavage is a dirty word – everyone has some. Oh really? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/44 "2011-08-05T22:46:22Z")
Spathic women are to be admired, respected and adored. It is Nature’s Way. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/45 "2011-08-05T22:57:51Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Yeah, see this is how I feel too. You nailed it exactly. Maybe it’s only for girls with normal sized, not super-sized, breasts? Not interested in knowing how big yours are, but IIRC, from previous threads, some of us commenting have over C chests. Probably nothing that would compare to whomever is the current Guinness’ record holder for implants, but certainly plenty. Personally, I learned quickly that anything that is tailored _will_ showcase my upper part. If I want something to “hide them”, I’d have to wear frumpy clothes. I do that, but sometimes, you know, I cannot wear those things. And again, a good support will make sure things stay in place and don’t pop out. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/46 "2011-08-06T00:26:22Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Maybe it’s just in my head, but I feel like a straight-up hussy when I show any kind of cleavage at all. I’ve got large breasts and I think they’re obvious enough as it is - wearing low-cut tops just seems gratuitous. I don’t think women with large breasts who show some cleavage look like hussies, FWIW. They look like women with large breasts who don’t have cloth covering their entire chest, is all. In my opinion, it is possible to be busty and wear clothes that expose the tops of your breasts without looking gratuitous, unprofessional, or like you’re trying to get as many stares as possible. [See:](http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/590/draft_lens2187311module79707201photo_1263757954Christina-Hendricks-hot.j) [Christina](http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/draft_lens2187311module114167181photo_1281502367ChristinaHendricksandGeof)[Hendricks](http://www.marieclaire.com/cm/marieclaire/images/yW/1109-christina-henricks-10-de.jpg). In some outfits at least. Her tops there aren’t exactly low; it’s just that her cleavage goes high. ‘Tasteful’ cleavage, and having your boobs pushed-up to your chin or looking like they are going to explode out of your too-small bodice, are very different things. On the other hand, there’s such huge (lol) variation in breasts… my ‘cleavage’ is like [hers](http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Milla+Jovovich+amfAR+Gala+Red+Carpet+Arrivals+eWZtkziirNxl.jpg), with my best bra. In comparison to half-naked tiny boobs, even [this](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/07/article-0-0C73D4EE00000578-108_468x647.jpg) might be considered gratuitous by some people. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/47 "2011-08-06T02:03:46Z")
**CanvasShoes** , it’s a bit like getting used to wearing makeup when you haven’t before – at first you feel weird and look weird and think that everyone else must think you look weird, but then you just get used to it. I used to be super self-conscious about showing any skin at all beneath my collar bone, but over time and gradually wearing v-neck or scoop-neck shirts that were slightly lower and lower, I got used to it. I still don’t wear anything that reveals serious cleavage, because that’s just not me, but I can now wear blouses in my closet that a few years ago would have necessitated a high-necked camisole to be worn underneath. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/48 "2011-08-06T03:04:24Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Not interested in knowing how big yours are, but IIRC, from previous threads, some of us commenting have over C chests. Probably nothing that would compare to whomever is the current Guinness’ record holder for implants, but certainly plenty. > > Personally, I learned quickly that anything that is tailored _will_ showcase my upper part. If I want something to “hide them”, I’d have to wear frumpy clothes. I do that, but sometimes, you know, I cannot wear those things. And again, a good support will make sure things stay in place and don’t pop out. I’m not so worried about popping out, as I am just with how obvious they are. Someone further upthread had a really good point though about having a sweater or turtleneck make this big fabric “shelf 'O boob” (I’m a 36DDD in case anyone’s interested not Guiness World Record, but not perky either). I’m like you, I tend to wear seriously baggie shirts to try and camouflage the problem. But I’d like to work up the nerve to stop doing that and dress in a more tailored body conscious way. NOT stripper body conscious, just in a “I’m not dead yet and I’m still a woman” way. I’ve just been out of practice for a LONG time, and I no longer wear size 8 jeans, sooooo… a little unsure how to make it work (to steal a phrase). I know I’ve reached frump overkill, and the top half is one of my few features that’s still reasonably attractive, but I want to do it “right”. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/49 "2011-08-06T03:27:31Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Spathic women are to be admired, respected and adored. It is Nature’s Way. Why do you guys keep making me look up words?! :mad: Can’t you just let me be happy with my slightly-below-average self? ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/50 "2011-08-06T12:31:42Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > I’m not so worried about popping out, as I am just with how obvious they are. Someone further upthread had a really good point though about having a sweater or turtleneck make this big fabric “shelf 'O boob” (I’m a 36DDD in case anyone’s interested not Guiness World Record, but not perky either). > > I’m like you, I tend to wear seriously baggie shirts to try and camouflage the problem. But I’d like to work up the nerve to stop doing that and dress in a more tailored body conscious way. NOT stripper body conscious, just in a “I’m not dead yet and I’m still a woman” way. > > I’ve just been out of practice for a LONG time, and I no longer wear size 8 jeans, sooooo… a little unsure how to make it work (to steal a phrase). > > I know I’ve reached frump overkill, and the top half is one of my few features that’s still reasonably attractive, but I want to do it “right”. Have you tried layering? Having a cami and a thin-fabric shirt on top of it. The cami may offer more cover than the shirt, covering part of the shirt’s cleavage. I have many camis with a more conservative neckline than my shirts, and I wear them underneath shirts (even buttoned shirts) for work. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/51 "2011-08-06T15:42:58Z")
And this is where I learn that \*\*KarlGrenze \*\*and \*\*KarlGauss \*\*are not the same person. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/52 "2011-08-06T21:34:18Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Have you tried layering? Having a cami and a thin-fabric shirt on top of it. The cami may offer more cover than the shirt, covering part of the shirt’s cleavage. I have many camis with a more conservative neckline than my shirts, and I wear them underneath shirts (even buttoned shirts) for work. I just barely started reconsidering my wardrobe for my new “cleavage look” 😃 But yes, I do have some new tank tops for layering. I think my problem was that I was buying the camisoles and tank tops in way too big a size. I’ve been hiding for so long that “swimming in my clothes” feels like how they should fit. It’s taking some getting used to allowing my clothing to actually touch my body rather than have it hang out 5 inches in each direction like a mainsail or something. This is going to be a learning experience. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/53 "2011-08-06T22:34:33Z")
Another trick is chunky or multi-strand necklaces that fit inside the V of your top. For you it can feel a bit less like everything’s bare, because you have the sensation of having something there and when you look down, there is something between you and the cleavage. It also keeps the figure enhancing line while it provides a distraction from “Ooh, boobies!” to “Ooh, shiny!” ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/54 "2011-08-06T23:35:28Z")
I must say, it does take a while to get used to. My girls are DD’s and I used to be self-conscious about them. As I got older and more self-confident, I embraced my large bosoms. I’ll also second the good bra thing - especially if you’re busty. I don’t do cleavage at work but everywhere else is fair game… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429/55 "2011-08-07T03:56:10Z")
I’ve always assumed that people who were worried about nip slips would put those sticky pads on to cover them up. You know, the ones that are the same color as your breast, so they wouldn’t be noticed during a slip. I used to see them advertised in the magazines my uncle kept in his room. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-properly-bare-ones-breasts/591429.md?page=2)