Tops With Cleavage

[Karon Howey]

InJanuary I had to buy a scrub top for clinicals and had the choice between Cherokee Workwear Women's V-neck or rounded neck with a slit in the middle. The uniform saleswoman suggested I got the rounded neck w/ slit because she thought it would sit higher. I've made it through all semester with my scrub top clipped closed with my badge and paper clips and constantly pulling my tank top up and it was a nuisance. Without doing so, my breasts start to show and if I bend over, their obvious. The problem is that I'm short and thin with a small upper body, so shirts and the bottom of the "v" fall lower on me. My instructor gave me permission to buy a top that fits me as long as it is in a similar style. Do you know of any scrub tops that have a smaller "v" or higher neckline? Maybe a brand of high cut tank tops/camis?

I'm a fan of Old Navy's Perfect Tanks. I love the way they fit! They're tight enough under my scrub tops that they aren't bulky, don't need to be adjusted much, and are plenty long enough to keep my lower back from hanging out when I bend over. You could easily tuck them in as well. Good luck!

Thanks for the ideas, I'll check into those stops to see if they have them in the right color. Since we are allowed to wear a white shirt underneath, I had the idea of cutting a piece of a white cami and sewing it into the top so I wouldn't have to worry about it sliding down.

My daughter has the same problem. She's 5'1 and I'm 5'8. If she wore my scrubs, she would have more than cleavage showing. She likes the Grey's Anatomy scrubs and wears the petite sizes. It seems that all of the petite tops adjust the size of the V to be proportionate with a petite body. If possible, go to a uniform store that carries petite so you can try them on.

I have always worn a tank underneath tucked into my pants. Not only does it cover cleavage but also prevents the accidental panty flashing when you bend over. I honestly think it should be a requirement...no patient should have to see your cleavage or your panties :)

I am a bigger chested girl, and even if I wear a tank top, I still show cleavage when bending over. My solution has been to wear the tank top backwards! The back is always higher than the front, but it still looks good under scrubs. Just make sure it is a tagless tank and that the words inside don't show through so much. Then you can wear whatever scrub top you want.

Yup - if you are busty then camisoles show cleavage, too. I haven't tried fitted t-shirts. I will have to explore that option, as well. I don't like to wear them when they can be seen (my belly is not flat), but under scrubs they might be ok!

One of my younger female co-workers wears really low-cut, cleavage-revealing tops. I don't mean to be a douche bag and stare, but, as a hot-blooded straight young-ish dude, how can I not? It's really distracting and makes it hard to focus on the task at hand. What do I do?

It sounds like you're nostalgic for the "good old days," when a slice of pie cost a dime and college tuition was a nickel and ladies were kept away from desks and chairs and other things that weren't ovens, because of the hips that babies crown out of when they are birthed near there, and other such tempting fruit on our body-trees. Who can blame you!

Oh, that's right, everybody in the world can blame you, because you are awful. Look, is it cool that the woman you work with wears tight things that may or may not be appropriate for work, depending on what kind of office you work in, how the clothes fit her and other things that have to do with the context of her culture, general style and, frankly, body type (thank you, Lane Bryant for making an issue out of that banned ad and its reflective bias)? Maybe, I don't know.

What I know is definitely uncool is for you, a young, straight man in the workplace -- not a minority unless it is Opposite Day -- to take umbrage with a female colleague's apparel choices. Because, frankly, what Perla in accounting wears to work so she can cover her bits and feed her family is really none of your business -- even if your erection disagrees. If she's violating a dress code rule that she'd been briefed on at the time of her hire, somebody in H.R. will talk to her, and she'll probably be embarrassed and start wearing a scarf. Wow, what a victory: treat yourself to an extra Michelob Ultra if and when that goes down.

As for your not being able to "focus" on your work? It's, no offense, so down on the list of problems I'm worried about that the oil-coated ducks in the Gulf are taking their last gasps of breath just to call you a chode.

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Maybe preface the conversation by mentioning that you do appreciate that she dresses [mostly] professionally at work, but notice that she is still showing a bit too much cleavage, which is unprofessional and against your dress code.

I am serious here. Find an image consultant to come to your office and give a presentation on business etiquette. Did you know that many Mary Kay consultants are trained to conduct these and will do it for cheap? Tell the consultant privately what your concerns are so that they can impress upon the offender the importance of keeping their boobs covered at work.

A former coworker did show up in pajamas a few times, and our former manager sent out a blanket email telling everyone (including all the people who had no idea this was even going on) that pajamas were not appropriate work attire. Bad management knows no bounds.

I like the idea of a consultant. Maybe a team building afternoon, with lunch, another presenter or client talk, and the dress consultant. Esp if you can have the client stay for it, nodding his head emphatically for the important part.

Send her the link to this blog post with an intro explaining that you need to address something awkward with her. That way you indirectly reveal how non-creepy you are about this without protesting too much about it to her directly + she will see how everyone agrees that your issue is not uptight.

I worked in a small law office a number of years ago and my boss (the attorney) made a comment to me about needing to cover-up. I looked in the mirror and realized that the shirt that had looked fine that morning had inched down to an inappropriate level by the time he got to the offfice. I appologized and put my coat on for the rest of the day!

If you do not want to confront her about it find a reason to put out a policy. Otherwise mention it to her directly. If you are concerned about the harassment issue, take her aside with the female associate you mentioned so there is no confusion. Either way, follow-up by sending her home to change if she does not follow the new guidelines. 10 to 1 that will be the last time it happens!

The only other thing I can think of would be arrange for this assistant to have a mentor within the industry. Obviously, other issues and goals would have to be addressed, but it may be a nice thing to do to help this woman professionally.

Agreed to both of you. I also have a button up that has a few of the little plastic snaps like they use in onesies sewn in between some of the notorious gap buttons- this one came that way (yay WalMart!) but the snaps are inexpensive at craft stores, easy to sew in, and for some styles could serve as an alternative to buying super big and getting alterations or safety pinning, which takes forever and can damage your shirt over time.

While I understand the desire to be direct (and definitely agree that you should not be passive-aggressive or play games) this is an awkward, and potentially law-suit (or at least extreme discomfort) producing situation. Best to choose your words very carefully.

Also, having a large chest that lends itself to accidental cleavage/bra strap shows, if she has a large chest, she may be sensitive to this problem (although from your message I doubt this was the case).

I think a direct conversation is best. However, I would make sure there was a third party present, preferably female. While a difficult subject, I think possible liability trumps a little embarrassment.

However, here is an instance I have experienced. It was at a startup and there was this woman named Sara (not her real name). Sara had her attorney on speed dial. She was also on the sales team and had a tendency to oversell items and tell the development team right before the live date. There were many screaming matches between my boss and her. Anyway, she came in one day wearing this outfit that she should not have been wearing in public much less a professional setting. No one said a word or even made eye contact. Had anyone said anything, there would have been subpoenas a plenty.

I would stay away from involving anyone else in the conversation (clients, repairmen, etc.) even in fibbing that it was an issue for them. Why hink up her relationship with innocent bystanders who may not care one way or the other?

-1st, if you have a good relationship with your employees and you are a straight talking type of manager, this should be no big deal. Any situation that employees can take personal (low cut shirts, short skirts, body odor issues, etc) should be handled with the utmost care, but if they are used to you talking direct to them, you should just mention that customers have made comments (it sounds to me that they did) and something needs to be done.

Wow this thread was a hoot to read! I agree with the advice of wording given by Kristy, and also to NOT involve the other female in the office. That would make her and your assistant uncomfortable, cause your assistant further embarrassment, make the other female employee privy to a private employee issue, and most likely cause office relations issues down the road.

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