Cleavage at work...how much is too much?

quichebradford
quichebradford Posts: 327 Member
edited October 2 in Chit-Chat
This is a situation we're discussing here at work...what do you guys think?

Women's Question:
If a woman you work with constantly wears shirts that are too revealing for the office, would you be offended? For example, low cut shirts that require a cami underneath, but she wears it without one. Would you say something to the woman about it?

Men's Question:
Let's say you're the boss, and one of your female employees has a habit of wearing shirts that are too revealing, how would you handle it.
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Replies

  • I would encourage that type of behavior
  • my view is is you question what you are showing then its too much. Thats my test.
  • Iamfit4life
    Iamfit4life Posts: 3,095 Member
    I won't wear anything low cut. I have two wrap dresses that are iffy, so I wear sweaters over them and zip them.
    I'm a little prude at work.



    If I was a supervisor with an employee who wore low cut shirts, I'd suggest either shirts that cover more or a sweater.
  • springtrio
    springtrio Posts: 429 Member
    No. I had my boobs covered up for a good 10 years. I see no reason to do it now (when I'm not at work)...except, I'm going back to work and fully intend on covering up. I wouldn't be offended though. I fully intend on taking my career seriously, and not being a piece of meat.

    Why are you offended by her boobs though?
  • Guess it would depend if you worked at a nightclub or a penitentiary...
  • adjones5
    adjones5 Posts: 938 Member
    I bartend, you can never show too much cleavage when you're behind a bar haha
  • shreyaj
    shreyaj Posts: 196
    I think it depends on what you are doing for your job. I can understand why it can make some people uncomfortable but it is there decision to show themselves in that manner. To each his own!
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    Hmm not sure what you can do if there is no uniform, I guess the management could mention it.

    I had a situation some years back, I was a secretary I wore suits (my own) along with a company issue blouse, One suit I was a skirt that came to just above my knees (decent) but the fashion was a small split on the thigh.. it was small and not an issue when standing.. when I sat though it naturally rose up and the split added to the thigh visible. This wasn't something I thought of as issue as I had a modesty panel on my desk and no one sittng near me. There was a manager in the building (not in my office) who came to my office though and said she was going to make a complaint about my skirt length as it was too revealing and she could see my cleavage. She was stood above me as I was sat at my desk (immediately to my side. I smiled ever so sweetly and said my defence would be that she was making me feel uncomfortable in her staring at my cleavage and legs! her face was a picture and funnily enough my boss never mentioned a complaint!
  • eeeekie
    eeeekie Posts: 1,011 Member
    It depends.

    Some ladies have such LARGE breasts that the only option of "covering up" would be to wear a turtle neck which ISN'T what I want or desire to wear. Anything I wear ends up being revealing even when I'm not even going for that look. I don't want to wear a turtle neck to hide myself and be hot and uncomfortable. If I feel it's TOO much I put an under shirt or wear a shawl
  • sunkisses
    sunkisses Posts: 2,365 Member
    I generally don't care what other people are doing if it's not hurting me or hindering my everyday life in some way. So, no, I would not say something. If I were the boss, I'd first make sure she's not the only guilty party. Then, I'd just ask her (and other offenders) to wear camis underneath her blouses if more than an inch of chest crack would be revealed.
  • coloradocami
    coloradocami Posts: 368 Member
    I would encourage that type of behavior
    LMBO!!!!!
  • peanut613
    peanut613 Posts: 438 Member
    I think if your boobs get more eye contact than your eyes do, it's too much cleavage. Unless you're at the bar, looking to get some action, etc. But definately too much for the office. Are you friends enough with her to tell her it's too much? Otherwise maybe have your boss send out a general dress code memo...
  • Men's Question:
    Let's say you're the boss, and one of your female employees has a habit of wearing shirts that are too revealing, how would you handle it.

    I'd have to consult a lawyer ;o)
  • quichebradford
    quichebradford Posts: 327 Member
    No. I had my boobs covered up for a good 10 years. I see no reason to do it now (when I'm not at work)...except, I'm going back to work and fully intend on covering up. I wouldn't be offended though. I fully intend on taking my career seriously, and not being a piece of meat.

    Why are you offended by her boobs?


    LOL, the boobs in question aren't real. This is a what if....just something we were talking about. I don't think I would be offended, granted I wouldn't want her coming to my desk all day trying to talk to me...too distracting! :laugh:
  • MisterDubs303
    MisterDubs303 Posts: 1,216 Member
    I've had female employees ask me to say something to other female employees about what they felt like was provocative dress (though cleavage wasn't the exact issue).
  • jewel3575
    jewel3575 Posts: 16 Member
    I had that happen to me, I am a very large chested women and my old work had a problem with pretty much any top! People have to understand women with larger breasts do not fit in clothes the same, so if you and I were wearing the same shirt, I would be showing way more cleavage than you. But is it fair for you to be able to wear that shirt and not me?? I don't think so... with in reason obviously, but I know I was very offended when my boss approached me about my tops, because I had NO Idea I was be unprofessional in any way. Is there a dress code for you place? Because you can always go through HR to handle this as well....
  • Yes!
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    I guess I'd have to call her into my office and give a good tongue lashing.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    It depends where you work and what you're going for. It would offend me to see another female dressed like that here, but I work in an all boys' Catholic high school! When I was in corporate America as a manager, I would speak to the employees who were not modestly dressed.
  • Reneda
    Reneda Posts: 140
    I would encourage that type of behavior

    i had a former boss who felt this way...

    we actually ended up having a "seminar" to teach the women in our office how to dress... the new word of the year was "cami"... apparently you are supposed to wear a cami under everything!!! according to the lady doing the seminar, if you bend over and can see your "girls" in the mirror, then you need a cami..

    me - - we had women who wore low cut blouses (and suspiciously were the ones who were not able to attend the aforementioned seminar...) and i dealt with the situation by responding the same way that a man would... i would talk to her boobies rather than her face.. after a while she got the point and pulled her shirt up.. lol..
  • dayzeerock
    dayzeerock Posts: 918 Member
    I have huge boobs, and it's pretty hard to hide them. I could wear a snowsuit to work to cover them, but I'd rather not.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    This is a situation we're discussing here at work...what do you guys think?

    Women's Question:
    If a woman you work with constantly wears shirts that are too revealing for the office, would you be offended? For example, low cut shirts that require a cami underneath, but she wears it without one. Would you say something to the woman about it?

    Men's Question:
    Let's say you're the boss, and one of your female employees has a habit of wearing shirts that are too revealing, how would you handle it.


    @Quiche Shame on you, women can be the boss too!!!

    But in response to your question, I would only say something if it was enough to make a meeting with a client difficult or uncomfortable. Evan though a gentleman may appreciate the view, if its too much exposure they are forced to constantly avert their eyes and that is just a poor business practice.
  • springtrio
    springtrio Posts: 429 Member
    No. I had my boobs covered up for a good 10 years. I see no reason to do it now (when I'm not at work)...except, I'm going back to work and fully intend on covering up. I wouldn't be offended though. I fully intend on taking my career seriously, and not being a piece of meat.

    Why are you offended by her boobs?


    LOL, the boobs in question aren't real. This is a what if....just something we were talking about. I don't think I would be offended, granted I wouldn't want her coming to my desk all day trying to talk to me...too distracting! :laugh:

    LMAO. I'd probably be too busy comparing. Gotcha now though!
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    Offended, no. What other people do is their own business. Unless it directly affects me. If she thinks she looks nice, that's good enough for me.
  • I had that problem in my office and everytime that woman came into my office to ask a questions she was always bending over pushing everything in my face. I would stare at her eyes like I was trying to blow her up. In this day and age you don't know if they're flirting with you or setting you up for a sexual harrassment suit.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Totally depends on where you work - night club -acceptable, leave it alone. Conservative office - may be nice to tell her.
  • sweetiepie31612
    sweetiepie31612 Posts: 240 Member
    I would never be offended, but if I were and that person was a friend (I go out for hh with a lot of my co-workers) I'd make some joke about it just to draw her attention to the fact that her outfit is a little revealing. If it wasn't a friend and it bothered me, I'd bring it up with HR. Unlikely I'd be offended though.
  • orleansmith
    orleansmith Posts: 60 Member
    I'm probably not much help. I love cleavage. And I certainly enjoyed wearing tasteful but lower cut shirts when I was constantly in the warehouse with the guys. Even just a hint. They certainly didn't discourage me. At my job now, it's a different environment and I don't have too many low cut shirts any more. I think I need to invest in some!
  • chocolateandvodka
    chocolateandvodka Posts: 1,850 Member
    Everything in moderation.

    TOO much boobage is unsexy and tacky. None says you haven't been laid in 6 years and explains why. Some says you're a physically confident woman which is what this site aims to encourage, correct?
  • coloradocami
    coloradocami Posts: 368 Member
    I guess I'd have to call her into my office and give a good tongue lashing.
    LOL...Love this one too!
This discussion has been closed.