# Why did women show their decolletage so much in the past? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 21, 2008, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674 "2008-06-21T06:08:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/41 "2008-06-23T01:11:11Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] But that’s about all you see; public hair, not the actual vagina. [/QUOTE] You really think showing internal genitalia is comparable to showing external genitalia? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/42 "2008-06-23T01:15:48Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] But that’s about all you see; **public** hair, not the actual vagina. [/QUOTE] If it was public hair I think you’d see an awful lot more of it… ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/43 "2008-06-23T01:19:24Z")
And what about the taint? You never get to see taint in mainstream movies. What’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/44 "2008-06-23T01:39:00Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] But that’s about all you see; public hair, not the actual vagina. [/QUOTE] _Some_one didn’t see Apatow’s own _Knocked Up_. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/45 "2008-06-23T01:45:52Z")
[QUOTE=Tenebras] And what about the taint? You never get to see taint in mainstream movies. What’s up with that? [/QUOTE] Back in, um, the neo-classico-victo-tramp period women would show off their taints while wearing burkas. I believe there’s a rule of fashion to that effect. At least I think there was. Some evenings. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/46 "2008-06-23T01:48:50Z")
What annoys me, though, is how in the past women would work out in thong leotards. Like it was perfectly normal. That’s another thing I think some evening. Ugh, the 21st century sucks ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/47 "2008-06-23T02:36:06Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] I wonder if the belief that women showed a lot of cleavage in the distant past comes from what could be idealized but historically inaccurate RenFair costumes. [/QUOTE] Yeah, that bit of cleavage completely offsets the six yards of linen you’re otherwise wearing. One time at RenFaire, my sister (who has big bazooms) supposedly was asked how she could stand to [wear so little](http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildflower13cat/2532525879/in/set-72157605303272919/). I believe she managed not to laugh in his face. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/48 "2008-06-23T07:11:35Z")
[QUOTE=Tenebras] And what about the taint? You never get to see taint in mainstream movies. What’s up with that? [/QUOTE] If I recall correctly, you can get a glimpse of Robin Williams’s taint in a movie from the 80s. The name now escapes me (and I’m too lazy to IMDb it) but it’s the one co-starring Jerry Reed in a wintry setting. Anyway, I clearly recall a scene where Williams is in a hospital bed, wearing a patient gown, and he makes a position-shifting movement which results in a very brief Paris Hilton vehicle beaver. Made quite a retina-searing impression on my young self, I tell you what. Anyway, if you’re interested, I bet you can Netflix it. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/49 "2008-06-23T11:31:43Z")
We passed a ren faire on Saturday, but alas it was closed to reopen Sunday. We where hoping to see some busty wenches. ---
**Author:** ![schnuckiputzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@schnuckiputzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schnuckiputzi)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/50 "2008-06-23T23:36:29Z")
When I did Civil War re-enactments as a young 'un, my custom-made dresses were cut down to the point that my nipples were almost exposed – and they were made from patterns authentic to the period, and we were taught how to walk to make the hoops swing invitingly, BUT…you were never to expose your ankles!! Very naughty!! And corsets are divine if you get used to them – they support your back and give you great posture. However, three kids and 20 years later…I couldn’t fit into them if I tried. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/51 "2008-06-23T23:50:13Z")
[QUOTE=Cat Fight] Judd Apatow is on a [mission](http://www.hollywood.com/news/Apatow_Makes_Penis_Promise/5018566). [/QUOTE] Maybe he could expand his mission to show how it’s equally possible for a hot-looking guy to be attracted to a fat dumpy woman with a great personality. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/52 "2008-06-24T01:43:45Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] I wonder if the belief that women showed a lot of cleavage in the distant past comes from what could be idealized but historically inaccurate RenFair costumes. [/QUOTE] Oh hell yes. This is something I could get really ranty about, and always have. I despise the bastardization of period fashions, no matter what the period. Oddly, it all seems as if the people committing the worst transgressions are supremely confident in their accuracy and will argue until their upholstery fabric and duct tape comes apart. Totally deluded. I’m looking at some of you SCA and wannabe pirate faire freaks. Eat a banger. On the other hand, **Risha** , that was a GREAT link you posted there. What a good book! I got lost with it for a while. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/53 "2008-06-24T02:26:26Z")
So is everyone pretending they already knew the word decolletage? ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/54 "2008-06-24T16:12:05Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] So is everyone pretending they already knew the word decolletage? [/QUOTE] 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/55 "2008-06-24T17:17:17Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] So is everyone pretending they already knew the word decolletage? [/QUOTE] I think that this might fall under the category of “words that Risha thinks are in everyday usage but puzzle some percentage of the population”. I bet you’ll see or hear it at least four more times within the next three days. That’s how these things always work. ---
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/56 "2008-06-24T17:55:17Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] So is everyone pretending they already knew the word decolletage? [/QUOTE] I just assumed that my Grandmother accidentally stumbled upon the Dope while searching for Bridge sites. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/57 "2008-06-24T18:01:46Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] So is everyone pretending they already knew the word decolletage? [/QUOTE] Titties- okay, cleavage - is a universal language. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/58 "2008-06-24T18:16:11Z")
[QUOTE=Risha] I think that this might fall under the category of “words that Risha thinks are in everyday usage but puzzle some percentage of the population”. [/QUOTE] I deal with that syndrome all the time. You learn to rapidly interpret that particular form of blank look on someones face when you have just used a word that they don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/59 "2008-06-24T21:46:45Z")
Well decolletage doesn’t actually mean cleavage. It’s the word for a dress that shows cleavage. Or even the part of the dress that shows cleavage. Your daughter might ask you to buy her a dress with decolletage for prom. And knowing what it means you can now slap her. But I seriously doubt you’ll hear the word used four times in a three day period [correctly]. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674/60 "2008-06-25T12:00:13Z")
[QUOTE=Alex\_Dubinsky] Well decolletage doesn’t actually mean cleavage. It’s the word for a dress that shows cleavage. Or even the part of the dress that shows cleavage. Your daughter might ask you to buy her a dress with decolletage for prom. And knowing what it means you can now slap her. But I seriously doubt you’ll hear the word used four times in a three day period [correctly]. [/QUOTE] Oddly enough, I heard the word twice last night on some gossipy TV shows at work; some “fashion disaster” type thing, where goofy looking men were bitching about celebrities. I imagine if one’s reading/viewing tends to have women’s fashion in any context, and are judiciously looking for instances of the word, then one will probably find it used in context quite a few times. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-women-show-their-decolletage-so-much-in-the-past/453674.md?page=4)