The Cleavage fad

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   Brenda Durhamposted 12 years ago

   Why do so many women these days dress in such a way as to create the illusion of much more cleavage than they actually have, and display it so openly?   Common knowledge tells us that (in so many cases anyway), the shape of what ya see is not what's actually there.
   I'm honestly curious.    I see young girls doing that, as well as adult women. 
   What's the intent?   Is it to appear innocently womanly, or is it to be sexually alluring?
   And if any men will answer----
   Do you find it attractive as in pretty/womanly?   Or solely sexual?
   Or is it just an attraction in the sense of not being able to ignore it because it's so obviously displayed?
   Do you consider it deceitful, or pleasingly tempting?
   
   I'm not meaning to be vulgar or start a discussion about porn.  I'm trying to actually figure out the intent of the women  (I see quite a few young Christian girls dressing that way too),  and the impression the men get from that type of "enhanced" and exposed style of dressing.

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      wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think that the amount of cleavage today is anywhere near that shown in the past.  Victorian dresses, for instance.
      
      I also don't see much difference whether it is a Christian, Hindu, or nearly any other religious girl.  Or one without religion.  Until you get to the very extremes of current fad and fashion they are all about the same.
      
      If you look around the world at various fashions you will always see that it is in fashion (particularly for females) to accent and "improve" on the differences between the sexes.  It doesn't end with cleavage; the super long necks of some tribes, the exaggerated bustle or narrow waist.  The longer hair and eyelashes, the smaller feet, the finer complexion.  Just about every sexual difference has been, and often still is, used to exaggerated levels in fashion.
      
      I suppose it dates back to finding a mate, evolutionary wise.  An extremely narrow waist won't invite advances from women much, but will from men.

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         Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         That's what it reminds me of kinda---the Victorian style.   Corsets and such.

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   Marisa Wrightposted 12 years ago

   I think it varies from woman to woman.
   
   I'm absolutely astonished at how young women dress to go clubbing these days.   I mean, I grew up in the days of mini-skirts but I would never have dared go out with a skirt that barely hid my bum cheeks - and of course we were going bra-less then, so the idea of super-boosted bras just didn't occur.
   
   Some girls are definitely aware of how sexual they're being, but I'm surprised to find that some don't - they just say they're "entitled" to dress to express themselves and boys don't have the right to look lasciviously at them.  What?!
   
   It's the rise of raunch culture and the need to fit in, I think.
   
   Personally, I like to show some cleavage because I'm getting old and that's about the only bit of my body that looks attractive any more.  I know my husband appreciates it and that's what matters. However I don't artificially boost it - what's the point, he knows what they're like underneath!

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That's what I was wondering,  the desire for artificially boosting the bustline.   And you hit on the way some think it's just a self-expression that males aren't supposed to notice, at least not directly.

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   Beth37posted 12 years ago

   This was an odd choice for a thread.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, I guess so.
      But a very timely relevant one, I think.
      Especially it seems to me that younger women are making a statement by how they dress.   I'm just looking for input to help understand the why of this particular one.

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         Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I guess cause they are looking to hook up with men and are drawing them the quickest way possible.
         It's interesting, if you'll notice, how hookers dressed in the 70s is how your average woman dresses now to go to the store or out on a date. I think women feel like they have to compete with hookers and the porn their husbands are watching. Kinda sad.

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   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   I don't really think cleavage is a fad. Guys like boobs.  Girls like guys to like them. Such is life. Nothing today measures up to the road cones "sweater girls" wore decades ago.

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      Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      lol

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   Brenda Durhamposted 12 years ago

   Right.  Both of you said they seem to be competing in a way?  (if I understand you correctly).
   And I agree it's sad if they do it because they don't have enough self-confidence.  Or don't have enough trust in men that men will like them for their personalities, maybe.
   
   Well, I mean, really, women have always kinda "competed".   But this seems different to me somehow.   Especially when the style is so often combined with "goth" makeup and hairstyles that aren't even traditionally viewed as feminine------stiffened darkened hair (usually short) or striped hair and etc., and strange-looking fingernail polish etc....

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   celafoeposted 12 years ago

   Its definately to show off what they want us to think is there.  As you said, what you (think) you see is probably  not what is really there in most cases.  Yes its done primarily for sexual provocation.   
   I will probably get trashed for sayng this -But-  I think a lot of  the reason this has become so prevalent is because of the mass invasion of latin women.   I am married to one and live in  central america.   Here they ALL dress that way.  push em up , uncover most of it and strut and  I think the trend is because of the desire to compete.

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      Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      There's no mass invasion of Latin women in Australia and exactly the same thing is happening.

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         celafoeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         sorry , then I guess its just a sign of the times.    It fits with the biblical warnings of how people will be in the last days

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            Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I don't believe in end times prophecies but I do think it's all part and parcel of the ebb and flow of civilisations.
            
            If you look at other societies which appeared to be hugely successful but ultimately got destroyed, you'll see how they fell into decadence towards the end.  The current trend towards raunch culture, where even ten-year-olds are wearing sexualised clothing, fourteen-year-old girls think they have to offer oral sex to boys, and young adult women go out dressed like hookers are all signs that our society is becoming more decadent and self-indulgent.  I'm getting to the point I'm actually glad I never had kids, because I don't have the worry of what would happen to them.

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               Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I knew a man whose 11 year old daughter was sending out naked pics to boys she didn't know on the net. Within about 2 years she was meeting with them. It broke my heart.

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               Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I think you're right.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That's interesting!  Thanks for the input.

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   Verily Primeposted 12 years ago

   I think it is the way of dressing that is style at the time - walk down any street in New York, especially on the weekend and I shudder to think that my daughter will someday emulate that kind of clothing. Years ago, when the thong fad was in... I could not believe parents let their young girls where such underwear and moreover let them be exposed so everyone can see the thong... along with that incessant Thong song by Sisco.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh yes I remember that.......
      The thong fad was worse than the cleavage habit!!

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   Motown2Chitownposted 12 years ago

   I'm in agreement with some other posters in that revealing cleavage is not really a fad.  It's been happening for centuries in an effort to attract men, and it's always been successful.  The biggest issue we're seeing now is that it's happening with children who either do or don't know what game they're playing.  The saddest part is that it is not the fault of the children at all, but of their parents.  Parents have, IMO, lost the ability to teach their girls that whether or not they are attractive is not about what they wear, but rather about who they are.  Modesty is so outdated and so reviled in our modern culture that even grown women are afraid to behave modestly or dress that way for fear of being considered prudish. 
   
   I tend to dress modestly, but it has never affected my ability to attract men, and it's actually something that my husband appreciates.  He believes that my innate 'sexiness' is something that should be reserved for him alone.  The fact that I choose not to flaunt it makes it that much more meaningful for him. 
   
   We have got to get away from teaching our girls that being attractive means dressing or speaking provocatively.  I believe if we can actually do that, our boys will start being much more appreciative of them, as well as being much more easily attracted to them.  Finally, we might return to a time when actual 'relationships' develop again, rather than random 'hookups' that do not go anywhere and leave our girls feeling used, abandoned, and worthless outside of their sexuality.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think I agree with all of that!
      Well stated.

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         Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you, Brenda.  I have a 14-year old and it's a subject very near and dear to my heart.  I stress it with her because I want her to feel attractive because she's a tremendous person, and to never have to worry that someone is just interested in her body.

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   habeeposted 12 years ago

   I think showing cleavage has always been in style. I don't mind seeing a little (I do that myself sometimes), but I hate it when you can see practically the entire boob, except for the brownie.

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      rebekahELLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Living in Florida, it doesn't seem like a fad or trend at all.  We're used to seeing and showing cleavage.  (It's such a strange word!)  Maybe we see it more in warmer climates and we're used to it.  Although we went to the Renaissance Festival over the weekend, and I saw more cleavage spilling over peasant dresses and medieval leather outfits than I see at the beach.  Some of the girls/women looked ridiculous.   A flip of the finger would have spilled them over the top and it wasn't pretty. 
      I think if done appropriately, it looks classy.  If you notice top runway trends,  it's much more subtle and alluring than spilling out of the top/dress.

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         Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         In a hot climate, it's only sensible - but I think the thrust of this thread is not just the cleavage, but the ultra-exaggeration of it with booster bras.

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         SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You make an interesting point - I used to go down to the beach in Barry Island in Wales and half the women were topless. While I was a teenager and was obviously interested, I was more interested in the women with low cut tops - when your on  the beach, the fact there were half naked women became pretty irrelevant as it was the norm. The enticement of a low cut browse was far more sexy. I guess it comes down to what the population is used to seeing - if we all walked around naked (as they do in many African nations) then it would become the norm and no one would associate it with sex!

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    Reality Bytesposted 12 years ago

    This time of year, I miss tube tops. 

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    Beth37posted 12 years ago

    Yet another site I post on that my mother can't visit.

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       Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Do you mean because of the subject of this thread?  Or some of the replies?

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          Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          lol. I was just kidding.

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             Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Oh okay. 

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    Greek Oneposted 12 years ago

    I think cleavage is important to a man because it serves an important functional purpose...
    
    

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    Brenda Durhamposted 12 years ago

    Greek One!   Where have you been lately?
    Did you come out of hiding just to pop into this thread? 
    I'm glad to see you again,  but....uh.....keepin' my eye on ya too.........

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       Greek Oneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       i have been patiently waiting in cyberspace for just the right opportunity to post that pic!
       
       Thank you, dearest Brenda, for finally giving me that chance

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          Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Believe me, my friend, it was not intentional on my part!   I didn't expect you to be around.   (We've always had the ability to be honest and direct with each other, haven't we?!  That's what I treasure about having "met" you here in cyberspace).
          So thank you for not being too vulgar.

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          prettydarkhorseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          
          Greek One, you are back.

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    CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years ago

    Dear Brenda:
    
    I think many women believe that accentuating physical features is a quicker and easier route to achieving their goals than to rely upon the development of moral character, personality and virtue. This is to say that, for many females, their confidence is in their appearance...not in their character.
    
    With the indoctrination of self-esteem that began permeating our shores 4 decades ago, I can assure you that the love of self is not the problem with the modern American woman...if anything it's narcissism and overconfidence that leads to inflated ego's and fans the flames of licentiousness. As has been said, "When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold" hence, the American media and social engineers have been spreading social disease and sleaze for decades and it has infected the entire world. Unfortunately, women seem to be most susceptible to these trends.
    
    Very little is ever said about the development of character and virtue in women these days, but much is said about the development and virtues of breasts enhancement surgery and other remedies to enhance the physical appearance of women...while their spirits continue to atrophy.
    
    In this day and age, most girls are programmed through the mass media and by watching television and listening to the raunchy music of Brittany Spears and other twisted sisters. These women are their Pied Pipers and what the "monkeys" see...the "monkeys" do. 
    
    Reading historical footnotes...it is clear that women throughout the ages tend toward licentious behavior and will push the envelope as far as society will allow.

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       Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Very well said.
       ...I'm wondering if that's a tendency that goes all the way back to Eve.......a woman's weakness....temptation.
       
       And what does that say about our responsibility for the actions of men, if any?
       And the men's responsibility to keep us from temptation too?.........
       
       I don't have any daughters.  I only have sons.  Yet I can feel for the mothers who do have daughters, and I don't know how well I would've dealt with teaching daughters how to be modest;  I imagine it's kinda tough to be Mom and to be a friend to a young daughter, and to teach them to actually be what I call a "lady".....

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    Angela Blairposted 12 years ago

    Bosoms have always been "in" whether they are exhibited or not -- and over the years I've seen the "ebb and flow" of showing more or showing less. Most women consider it a personal right to dress in any manner they please -- and so be it. I don't, however, understand how a woman can dress to attract attention and then scream when she gets it! Guess of all the bosom rules that I view as important is this: When a lady is at an age that her cleavage is a bunch of wrinkles -- it's time to do something else!

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    SimeyCposted 12 years ago

    I find it particularly disturbing to see an increase in man-cleavage on display

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       prettydarkhorseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Man boobs.
       
       For women however, I will say "Where is the woman"? I admire big boobs, it is psychological, I want to have big ones! Same with butt. My past and my future are small. They do define me bec our society gives more importance to it than being smart. That is why women are allowed to flaunt them,

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          Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          A man worth his salt wont care what size your breasts are. There's a disease going around that threatens to take them away completely... God willing there are lovers out there who know what real love is... men that love us from the inside out. Everything else is just whipped cream... which is a fitting topping considering the topic.

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             SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             My wife is a survivor - I've seen many pictures of women who had 'them' removed and had a great tattoo in place - they are and will always be beautiful women! True beauty is on the inside - most people (exluding me of course) get uglier, fatter and droopier as they get older!

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                Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                Blessings on you both!

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             Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             All true.  Amen to your first sentence for sure. 

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             prettydarkhorseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             I think that is the sentence of the day.
             
             
             That wipped cream sounds good!
             
             I am just being sarcastic in my first post

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             wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             You're right, but there is far more to it than that.  I doubt that you yourself are any different than most people, especially women.  They spend hours on their hair - dyeing it, curling, straightening and coiffing it.  They adorn their bodies with bits of pretty rocks and metal.  They permanently ink themselves.  They paint their nails, they plaster makeup over their faces.  Above all they wear cloths that the fashion industry has declared are the "in" thing today.  The list is endless of the things people do to themselves to make themselves more attractive - to attract attention to themselves.  And it is all 100% dependent on what the current culture, society and place considers to be beautiful and attractive.
             
             Cleavage is no different.  Our current culture finds big ones attractive, and a result women enlarge them artificially.  Over time it will fade and once more some other part of the body will assume the role that boobs do today - it never remains static, and it has little to do with the love of a mate.  It has everything to do with people wanting to be attractive.

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    Disappearingheadposted 12 years ago

    There's an awful lot of sociological analysis going on here which I think misses the point. Men like to see a cleavage, and some women like to display a cleavage because they like their breasts and like the attention. The world would be a miserable place if women covered everything up.

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       Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       "a cleavage'?

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    healthyfitnessposted 12 years ago

    Because women live off of attention...

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       Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       SHUT UP! (love me!)

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