# What is the name for an oval in a woman's top exposing cleavage? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 8, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298 "2007-05-08T20:36:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/1 "2007-05-08T20:36:31Z")
The subject line pretty much says it all, but the pictures of [Power Girl](http://www.arellis.net/roscoescomics/index.php/archives/250) on this web page show you what I mean. (They’re pretty much safe for work as long as you aren’t employed by Jerry Falwell.) Is there a specific name for this fashion choice? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/2 "2007-05-08T20:38:58Z")
It’s called a “keyhole” although the ensemble in that particular pic is for a very large key, apparently. Here’s a pic, sans comic book characters: [http://thehousewife.blogsplot.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/neck\_heyhole.jpg](http://thehousewife.blogsplot.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/neck_heyhole.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/3 "2007-05-08T20:42:28Z")
I’ve never seen one that extreme in a real garment, but allowing for the comics’ exaggeration convention, I’d probably call it a modified “keyhole”. A classic keyhole collar has two panels which may button or zip up top and the cleavage revealing hole on the bottom. Keyholes can be anywhere from [artsy-fartsy](http://www.alamostyles.com/Alamo/WomensWear/WSR_blk_601.jpg) to [sweet girl next-door](http://www.brightline.ca/imgs/in-stock/pop_ups/GK00.jpg) to [insert dollar bills here to recieve blowjob, please.](http://www.fantasiawear.com/ImagesModel/KBz0055-311.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/4 "2007-05-08T20:43:49Z")
Thank you for posting these. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/5 "2007-05-08T20:58:59Z")
Many thanks for the answers. I’m trying to describe a far more modest than the Power Girl one, but not knowing the appropriate name it was hard to google for it. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/6 "2007-05-08T21:38:17Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] I’ve never seen one that extreme in a real garment, but allowing for the comics’ exaggeration convention, I’d probably call it a modified “keyhole”. A classic keyhole collar has two panels which may button or zip up top and the cleavage revealing hole on the bottom. Keyholes can be anywhere from [artsy-fartsy](http://www.alamostyles.com/Alamo/WomensWear/WSR_blk_601.jpg) to [sweet girl next-door](http://www.brightline.ca/imgs/in-stock/pop_ups/GK00.jpg) to [insert dollar bills here to recieve blowjob, please.](http://www.fantasiawear.com/ImagesModel/KBz0055-311.jpg) [/QUOTE] Nitpick: Your second link (the “sweet girl-next-door” version") is technically not so much a “keyhole” neckline as a “notched” neckline, because the two ends of the keyhole aren’t touching. A true keyhole style shows a [closed simple curve](http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ClosedCurve.html), topologically speaking, juxtaposed against the uninterrupted curve of the neckline; a notch, on the other hand, cuts away part of the neckline itself. A more extreme version of the notched neckline is shown [here](http://www.gapcanada.com/EN/products/241-product.cfm?from=fav). And if you ask me, PowerGirl in the OP’s picture looks like a blonde version of Robin with a parasitic conjoined twin’s ass growing out of his chest. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/7 "2007-05-08T21:54:36Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] Nitpick: Your second link (the “sweet girl-next-door” version") is technically not so much a “keyhole” neckline as a “notched” neckline, because the two ends of the keyhole aren’t touching. [/QUOTE] I disagree, although I did consider the notch/keyhole debate before posting. I finally decided that the definitive characteristic of a keyhole neckline, in any pattern book I’ve seen, is that the seamstress must cut a curve out of the front of the pattern piece, not just cut in a straight line down before hemming. The t-shirt I linked to shows a definite, albeit small, curve to the “hole”; it’s not a straight notch. If you brought the two top points together, there would still be a gap - you couldn’t put the whole edge together without stretching or distorting the fabric. I have several identical keyhole T’s which have a tiny button up top to close the points if desired, but generally they’re worn open. [The people selling it sort of hedge their bets though, eh?](http://www.brightline.ca/in_stock/gkoo.html) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/8 "2007-05-08T21:56:48Z")
I didn’t know that one of Supergirl’s powers was the ability to have wind swirling her skirt upward even when she’s standing still inside! It would make Heroes a much more interesting show when they rip off that superpower. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/9 "2007-05-08T22:03:16Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] Nitpick: Your second link (the “sweet girl-next-door” version") is technically not so much a “keyhole” neckline as a “notched” neckline, because the two ends of the keyhole aren’t touching. A true keyhole style shows a [closed simple curve](http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ClosedCurve.html), topologically speaking, juxtaposed against the uninterrupted curve of the neckline; a notch, on the other hand, cuts away part of the neckline itself. A more extreme version of the notched neckline is shown [here](http://www.gapcanada.com/EN/products/241-product.cfm?from=fav). And if you ask me, PowerGirl in the OP’s picture looks like a blonde version of Robin with a parasitic conjoined twin’s ass growing out of his chest. Weird. [/QUOTE] No one asked you, but I agree the pics are a bit grotesque, golly-I-never-dated-in-high-schoolish. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/10 "2007-05-08T22:05:49Z")
**WhyNot** : Yeah, I see what you mean, but I still maintain that a [keyhole is a cutout whose endpoints touch](http://www.weddingchannel.com/ui/buildArticle.action?assetUID=3438&c=6137&s=611533195&t=93&p=1010&l=143789): > [@](#): > > Keyhole: A tear shaped or round cutout that fastens at the front or back neckline. A curved/oval notch may be called a “keyhole notch” if you like, as in [this description](http://www.amazon.com/Orvis-Notched-Tunic-Sweater/dp/B000ML069M), but it is not an actual keyhole unless the endpoints touch. That’s my couture-nazi take on the subject, anyway. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/11 "2007-05-08T22:41:42Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] **WhyNot** : Yeah, I see what you mean, but I still maintain that a [keyhole is a cutout whose endpoints touch](http://www.weddingchannel.com/ui/buildArticle.action?assetUID=3438&c=6137&s=611533195&t=93&p=1010&l=143789) [/QUOTE] This has always been my understanding as well, with a “notch” being something totally different. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/12 "2007-05-08T22:50:11Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] A curved/oval notch may be called a “keyhole notch” if you like, as in [this description](http://www.amazon.com/Orvis-Notched-Tunic-Sweater/dp/B000ML069M), but it is not an actual keyhole unless the endpoints touch. That’s my couture-nazi take on the subject, anyway. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Alright, I think I can compromise on “keyhole notch”. Care to broker peace in the Middle East next? 😉 (Mostly I was trying to find a “keyhole” that wasn’t slutty, to show the range of possibilities.) ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/13 "2007-05-08T22:52:11Z")
Now I’m just wondering what sort of key would fit the keyhole. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a ta-ta key…or maybe I did but just didn’t know what it was. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/14 "2007-05-08T23:09:40Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > (Mostly I was trying to find a “keyhole” that wasn’t slutty, to show the range of possibilities.) Yup, but I think a keyhole top is pretty much _supposed_ to be slutty. To show the range of possibilities, as it were. 😉 > [@Antinor01](#): > > I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a ta-ta key Just look in any [Tata key cabinet](http://www.locksgalore.com.au/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=478&category=keycabinets_medicalcabinets_deedboxes). ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2007, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/15 "2007-05-08T23:33:26Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] Just look in any [Tata key cabinet](http://www.locksgalore.com.au/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=478&category=keycabinets_medicalcabinets_deedboxes). [/QUOTE] That’s great! You truly can learn everything on the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/16 "2007-05-09T04:10:38Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] Keyholes can be anywhere from [artsy-fartsy](http://www.alamostyles.com/Alamo/WomensWear/WSR_blk_601.jpg) to [sweet girl next-door](http://www.brightline.ca/imgs/in-stock/pop_ups/GK00.jpg) to [insert dollar bills here to receive blowjob, please.](http://www.fantasiawear.com/ImagesModel/KBz0055-311.jpg) [/QUOTE] Ummm… _how many_ dollar bills? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/17 "2007-05-10T17:31:21Z")
I don’t know what the cutout is called, but the space between closely-pressed breasts is called the _Inter-Boobical Groove._ Not to be confused with the _Inter- **Bib** lical Groove,_ which is the space between the Old and New Testaments. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/18 "2007-05-10T18:45:36Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I don’t know what the cutout is called, but the space between closely-pressed breasts is called the Inter-Boobical Groove. AKA “cleavage”. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/19 "2007-05-10T19:16:16Z")
A “keyhole”, eh? I just figured it was the entrance to a parallel universe. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298/20 "2007-05-10T19:47:52Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] I didn’t know that one of Supergirl’s powers was the ability to have wind swirling her skirt upward even when she’s standing still inside! [/QUOTE] Taco Bell. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-an-oval-in-a-womans-top-exposing-cleavage/403298.md?page=2)