08/12/2007

Show and tell: Big debate on cleavage

By Kathy Gibbons
Features editor
kgibbons@
record-eagle.com

Read Kathy's past columns here

Ever since seeing new British home secretary Jacqui Smith on TV a few weeks ago, I've been meaning to write about cleavage.

Smith, 44, was shown speaking before the House of Commons in the wake of terrorist attacks in England. Wearing a light-colored suit with a plunging neckline, her presentation included one thing that viewers couldn't miss even if they had the sound off — her cleavage.

I was ecstatic, thinking, "You go, girl.”

That's because I'm of an age where cleavage is not optional, but a fact of life. It used to be that I could wear a V-neck shirt and have it rest nicely where it was supposed to, with no hint of anything beyond. Now I try on an everyday V-neck shirt and it's out of proportion, the bottom of the V landing unnaturally high above the chest,which now rests much farther below than it used to. So those are out.

So, too, are a lot of those empire-waisted shirts that are so popular right now. People like me try them on and the seam that is supposed to go under the shelf, as I have come to think of it, rides right across the top.

For summer wear, I've found myself gravitating to other styles of tops that are a little bit lower cut, and so, I believe, better-proportioned given the shift in the landscape. But then there's the inescapable matter of cleavage.

I wrote a column a year or so ago after my daughter took me to task for showing cleavage. And I've continued to muddle through since then, wanting to wear what I like and feels comfortable, but when that means a little cleavage, trying to figure out when, and if, it's appropriate.

Enter Hillary Clinton, 59. Seems she also showed a bit of cleavage recently on, of all places, C-SPAN2. Talking on the Senate floor, she wore a blazer over a top with a low neckline. The resulting cleavage wasn't in full bloom like Smith's, but it was noticeable.

Believe it or not, these sightings have inspired columns and blogs debating cleavage. Google Smith or Clinton with cleavage and you'll get a potpourri of opinions, and headlines like "The Weapons of Mass Distraction” and "Cleavage in Parliament.”

I loved this comment from The Times Online: "This is a woman who is trying to cope with one of the biggest terrorist threats that Britain has ever faced — and all people care about is her bosom. There's 40 years of feminism for you.”

After skimming through a bunch of others, I decided I'm in the camp of the Washington Post's Robin Givhan. She wrote that a little cleavage in that context suggests "a certain confidence and physical ease. It means that a woman is content being perceived as a sexual person in addition to being seen as someone who is intelligent, authoritative, witty and whatever else might define her personality.”

The debate aside, if this is a trend among female political figures, it could be a good thing for C-SPAN's ratings — and for those of us who just want to wear what feels comfortable.