What To Do About Too-Low Cleavage?
I recently bought a cute Maggie London jersey dress (looks like the photo thumbnail at the start of this post, only it’s brown with yellow trim) that seemed to fit perfectly in the store, but when I was going to wear it to work this week I noticed it’s a little too . . . bosomy for the office. The flattering wrap neck is just a tiny, tiny bit too low, and gapes just a tiny, tiny bit too far open.
I’ve had this problem with clothing items before, because I think designers forget some of their clientele might be sporting something larger than a B cup under their creations. So, how to salvage this otherwise non-slutty outfit for everyday wear? It’s too form-fitting to cram a camisole underneath, and my attempts to secure the neck shut with a hidden safety pin definitely didn’t work out.
If the bottom V of the neckline was closed, I think that would solve the problem. Should I try sewing a small stitch in the fabric? Or, you know, just plan on wearing it in the evening—and avoid bending over?
**Update**
I thought I’d edit this with my solution, which was to carefully put a small safety pin low in the neckline to keep it from gapping (a stitch surely would work better, but I can’t sew worth a damn) and to wear a thin maternity sleeping bra (it’s a light nylon thing with no straps or seams) over my regular bra, which provides a camisole effect without the excess fabric. Success! A fancier bra would have done the trick, I’m sure, but I went with what I already had lying around my underwear drawer.
Posted: June 19th, 2007 under Fashion, How-to.
Comments: 46
Comments
Comment from Eilis
Time: June 19, 2007, 6:22 pm
I just made a shirt with the same type of “wrap” type closure, and the instructions suggested that “for more modesty,” you could sew that area together. I didn’t do so, but think I will now that I’ve tried it on with a bra and noticed the same problem you are having. I think that would be your best and easiest option.
Comment from Danell
Time: June 19, 2007, 6:34 pm
I got a kind of cute bra (it’s actually a NURSING bra that I picked up by accident…I’m not nursing) at Target that actually looks kind of like a camisole along the top. It’s got plenty of support; I’m a D cup. And now when a big hunk of my bra shows in all those “slightly too low cut” V-tops that are so popular now, I feel OK about it. Or you could just do the stitch it closed method…but I’m much too lazy for that and the stack of clothes that I need to fix with “just a few stitches” is kind of ridiculous.
Comment from Erin
Time: June 19, 2007, 6:35 pm
I was just having the exact same problem with a maternity swim suit (UGH! Maternity swim suit?! It’s like some form of self-torture), and I made one very careful stitch to fix it. It worked! I can now follow my tyrant 18-month-old around in an attempt to not let him drown, and NOT flash everybody at the pool.
My only suggestion, which is probably obvsious, is to place the stitch while you’re wearing the dress. Because then you can put it right where it should be without any guess work, and it tends to hang right. Good luck.
Comment from Amy
Time: June 19, 2007, 7:08 pm
This is coincidental. I just packed a bag of clothes that need this exact alteration. My mom is going to fix them for me because I am all thumbs with a needle.
Comment from Kathryn
Time: June 19, 2007, 7:08 pm
I have that problem frequently, and I just suck it up and do the cami thing. Why not sew a scrap of fabric dicky-style (heh, I said dicky) in the spot where a cami would show? You could just cut a swatch off the front of an old cami. It would probably keep the lines of the dress looking more natural than sewing the two sides of the neck shut.
Comment from whoorl
Time: June 19, 2007, 7:17 pm
What about an uber-thin camisole? American Apparel makes spaghetti-strap tanks that are virtually second skin.
Comment from Kate
Time: June 19, 2007, 8:46 pm
I will now confess that I had to sew my wedding dress shut for the same exact reason. I was what you might call a do-it-yourself bride: I did my own hair, my own make-up, and then I threaded a needle and sewed myself into my dress.
Comment from Linda
Time: June 19, 2007, 9:19 pm
Although I like the nursing bra/uber-thin cami options, too. I was just thinking I needed to invent a bra with a cami-type top to it! I was going to call it the Hickory Dickory Bra.
Comment from tracey in toronto
Time: June 19, 2007, 10:12 pm
oh sister of the too-slutty-for-work-cleavage…i have found a godsend called flashtape. it’s easy to use double-sided tape that you can use to stick the fabric to your boobs or tape the fabric together so it doesn’t gap.
i got mine at a local drugstore, but here is the same brand available on-line.
http://www.advantagewear.com/flash-tape.html
of note, the tape stays very secure yet is also easy to get off. however when attached to my supple bosoms, it felt a bit itchy. so the next time i just taped the fabric together.
Comment from Amblus
Time: June 20, 2007, 5:41 am
I have two solutions:
1. wear a very simple spagehtti-strap sports bra underneath. It give a bit of uni-boob, but will keep you covered.
2. sew one of those tiny clear snaps into the neckline - it’s less obvious than a safety pin.
Comment from stephanie brown
Time: June 20, 2007, 6:24 am
Like Danell (and Ambulus) , I use the bra option. But I’m not nursing. 
So instead, I use a sports bra. My dearest Wal-Mart carries mutliple colored sports bra’s and they truly do just look like a cami.
:)
Comment from Jenny
Time: June 20, 2007, 6:57 am
I have the same problem except that I don’t have *enough* to fill out the top and so it just kind of gaps open and you can see it all. Hi! Here’s my (tiny) boob!
Anyway, I was going to suggest the tape option, like Tracey. I discovered this stuff: http://www.hollywoodfashiontape.com a couple of years ago and keep a few strips in my purse at all times. It’s supposed to be ok for sensitive skin and it does just fine on my skin (unless it’s super hot and I get kind of sweaty, and then it’s a little itchy, but it still stays put), but it also works to stick two layers of fabric together. So it might be something to try if you don’t want to actually sew. Also handy for fixing hems, hiding bra straps, etc.
That might not fix the cleavage issue, so the tiny dickie might be a good bet. (Although I can’t think of a dickie without thinking of Cousin Eddie.)
Comment from gabby
Time: June 20, 2007, 7:44 am
I have these tanks: http://www.downeastbasics.com/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=12
in 5 jazillion colors and wear them under stuff like this.
Comment from Groovymarlin
Time: June 20, 2007, 7:51 am
I third the motion for tape. Flash tape, fashion tape, or sometimes it’s called wig tape. It’s a very sticky two-sided tape that sticks well to fabric and skin. I use it all the time to secure wide-neck tops that keep exposing my bra strap, and very open v-necklines that flash too much boob for the office. You can probably find it at a beauty supply store like Sally.
Comment from squandra
Time: June 20, 2007, 8:40 am
This spare-time seamstress says go for the sewing.
P.S. LOVE Maggy London.
Comment from Jennifer
Time: June 20, 2007, 3:07 pm
There are great suggestions in the comments, I have none more to add. But I DO want to say: thank you for noticing the inappropriate neckline and not wearing it to work!!! In my office, a few women love to bare-it-all in outfits like that, and I find that embarrassing for them and for the rest of the women in the office. Thanks for being professional.
Comment from Misty
Time: June 20, 2007, 9:21 pm
Hollywood tape is awesome, but for a cheaper, size customizable alternative, a roll of Scotch Double Sided Tape works almost as well for a lot less cash. http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Double-Sided-Tape-inches/dp/B000NUQW2W
Comment from Jenny
Time: June 21, 2007, 5:07 am
Just FYI — I personally had some problems with Scotch Tape — of the itchy, rashy variety — that I don’t seem to have with the Hollywood tape. My skin’s usually pretty sensitive to adhesives, though, so if the Scotch Tape works for you, it is as Misty says, much lower cost. I mean, I guess if you’re not planning on sticking it to your skin, there you go.
Comment from Jenny
Time: June 21, 2007, 5:08 am
Just FYI — I personally had some problems with Scotch Tape — of the itchy, rashy variety — that I don’t seem to have with the Hollywood tape. My skin’s usually pretty sensitive to adhesives, though, so if the Scotch Tape works for you, it is as Misty says, much lower cost. And, I mean, if you’re not planning on sticking it to your skin, there you go.
Comment from Heather
Time: June 21, 2007, 6:43 am
Try this bra from Spiegel. Its like a bra but has a more straight across camisole like top. It doesn’t take up as much space under your clothes as would a real camisole.
Comment from kelly
Time: June 21, 2007, 7:41 am
I use the dicky method. I cut a triangle of complimentary fabric and tack it in on the lower part of the V. A few stiches at each side and one at the bottom. Where I work low cut just doesn’t work and I have yet to find the perfect bra or cami to solve this problem. (The Speigel one above still looks too low to me) Good luck!
Comment from ang
Time: June 21, 2007, 12:44 pm
Okay, I got a wonderful thin knit sweater from the spouse for Christmas and it would do the between the boob gape open thing every time I wore it. I bought sewing tape (some might call it hemming tape-the heat activated stuff that bonds to fabric) and just ironed the gap closed. On the downside, it’s pretty permanent, but you don’t have to worry about tape, pins, undershirts etc…..
Comment from HollowSquirrel
Time: June 21, 2007, 12:47 pm
I recommend the fusible tape (StitchWitchery is one of the brands, I think). I love the stuff for quick hems & stuff like this.
Comment from sarah
Time: June 21, 2007, 3:42 pm
Any fabric store will have double-sided tape to use for the bottom V. They also have double-sided iron-on fusible web that will be more permanent.
As for above, I vote for a cami-style bra that is cut straight across OR the tack-a-dicky into the space. Teeny-tiny safety pins would also work on a dicky, and the fabric store should have them. (just don’t go through both layers of fabric–the trim looks like it is folded over, thus something pinned to the inside wouldn’t show.)
Comment from cindy
Time: June 21, 2007, 4:54 pm
I have the same style dress, and the same problem with it. My solution was to carefully sew a tiny button where I wanted to close the gap. It’s a little difficult to get the button exactly right though, and stitch it so that you don’t see the thread. Sounds like double-sided tape might be easier; I might have to try that.
Comment from angela
Time: June 21, 2007, 7:45 pm
My first reaction to this post was “There’s such a thing as too-low cleavage?” But that’s because I’m a big ole slut. Heh.
I would recommend iron tape/stichwitch as well, but you’re working with jersey here and it never comes out right for me on that fabric. I’d say a whipstitch or even the dickie method if you’re willing to sacrifice the shape of the neck/boob line.
Comment from angela
Time: June 21, 2007, 7:49 pm
or you could sew one or two of those itty bitty snaps into it, but that may be tedious.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2851&PRODID=prd3154
Comment from KJ
Time: June 22, 2007, 8:34 am
My solution (since I only wear dresses to weddings and funerals) is to find a nice little pin or brooch to sortof do the sewing for me. I’m a terrible sewerperson and can never get the stitches to look right when I put the thing on, so I figured a properly placed (and not too heavy) brooch would do the job. ALSO served to dress up the spot rather sexfully too. Like HI! see my sternum jewel?
It all depends on where the fabric crosses, too. and make sure to inhale first before you pin/sew so that you don’t get that “bursting with lust” fabric-pull everytime you walk up the stairs! (trust me on that one)
Comment from Mommalilone
Time: June 22, 2007, 3:20 pm
Ditto the fashion tape answers. I found this one online:
Comment from jamie
Time: June 26, 2007, 9:52 am
thanks so much for this post. i thought it was just me. i really wish designers would keep in mind that some women have to go to work, be around men in their family, attend professional functions, etc. in these dresses. it’s like that horrible year or so when it seemed like the only affordable jeans were either ultra-low rise or mom-jeans : ). i wish designers would offer more “modest” necklines. all i’m asking for is a couple of extra inches or so. i don’t mind camisoles but sometimes it just distracts from an otherwise beautiful dress; why can’t they just cut the dress right to begin with? plus, if you’re short, then people are really getting a good view.
a final note–i think it also has to do with perkiness, not just size. it seems like women who can generally go braless have less of a problem with the lower necklines.
until fashion changes i’ll be trying the double-stick tape, great tip….
Comment from kelly
Time: June 26, 2007, 12:11 pm
try the shape fx bra from newport news
it has solved ALL of my cleavage problems and its cheap too!
http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=15355051&index=19&gp_coll_id=9&gp_cat_id=1649&nav_cat_id=3169&category_id=7689
Comment from Val Ann C
Time: June 26, 2007, 2:58 pm
I use regular Scotch double-side tape. I attach several short strips of tape to my bra (never on my skin). Then I carefully lower the dress on from over my head.
I have also used the little stick-on velcro fastener disks. If these work well, you can stitch them in place.
Comment from Mary
Time: June 26, 2007, 4:19 pm
Bali used to make a great bra that had a lace pannel in the front… looked like you were wearing a camisole without the bulky fabric at your waist. I loved that bra and was very comfortable unbuttoning my shirt a little bit on a hot day and not worried about my skin showing. Thanks for the post about the bra available at Spiegel’s… it’s almost similar to what I had back in the mid 90’s.
Comment from Jen
Time: June 26, 2007, 7:24 pm
I’ve had this problem, too. If stitching it shut doesn’t work, find a coordinating or matching satin/silk/grosgrain/whatever ribbon and hand-sew it into the neckline using a pickstitch. I’ve done so on 2 dresses and it actually looks quite pretty - so much so that people have asked about one dress where I got such a luxe piece (!).
Comment from srah
Time: June 30, 2007, 7:17 am
I have a wrap dress that’s not work-appropriate, so I always wear a slip (for windy days that blow it open!) and a camisole (to keep the top decent) in a color that matches the dress and looks like it’s supposed to be part of the dress.
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Time: July 3, 2007, 12:38 pm
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Comment from amber
Time: July 5, 2007, 3:24 pm
Have you ever seen those fake collars? They make turtleneck ones too? Grandmas wear em? It goes over your head and stops where a bib would? I laugh everytime I see them but in this case it might be worth investigating whether or not they make a cami version…or if you’re like me and have a hard time throwing out clothes, you might have an old cami that doesn’t fit or has a snag or spot on it that you wouldn’t mind cutting off bib length?
Comment from Dana
Time: July 17, 2007, 6:22 am
Another woman who has a problem w/ this– *sigh* I’m noticing a theme here. I always thought if I lost enough weight everything would fit right, but 60lb later and it still doesn’t. I’ve noticed that a full cut bra tends to keep my boobs in a neat half circle shape, which helps dresses & shirts lay neater. I’m of the sew it & forget it variety– altho I baste in a contrasting colour with the dress on, then take it off & sew tiny stitches in it with matching thread. If you’re not up to that sort of alteration, it’s one a tailor shop will do– it runs me about $3-5 per outfit, but we’re in a little town, so it may be more expensive elsewhere. Good luck to you– and my husband would like to point out that men find the whole accidental boob flashing thing really, really sexy.
Comment from cristine
Time: July 28, 2007, 11:36 pm
dis isnt a hemming stiches
Comment from Dian
Time: July 28, 2007, 11:41 pm
I saw a woman that riped her very very new shirt i helped her and shes lucky cause i got a sewing tools so i doo a hemming stiches and after i finish it she was so very happy and she was so proud of me
Comment from Gina
Time: July 31, 2007, 9:09 am
I would definitely throw a couple of stitches in there! Why not? Better than realizing once you are out for the evening that it isn’t going to work, and tacking it to your bra with an earring (which I’ve done…) and trying to play it off as a brooch.
In the past, I’ve also hand-sewn a bit of lace across the bottom of the “v,” and that makes it look like a camisole top. Like a female dickie, if you will.
Comment from Margot
Time: August 1, 2007, 10:34 pm
I usually just sew a snap on it to hold it in the right place, but that way, I can open the next if I need to to get in and out of the outfit.
However, I just saw this bra in newport news
http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?tool=t1&f=b&Ntt=bras&N=0&Nty=1&D=bras&style_id=15355053&No=0&Ntk=alltext
It comes in a bunch of colors and it is designed to be that little bit of lace that peeks out, but not be a full camisole. I’m definitely considering it with all the low cut tops out there.
Comment from June
Time: February 6, 2008, 9:24 am
I actually use Chic Peeks. They are amazing!!! I wonder why this hasnt been done. Its an adhesive insert.Comes in several different fabrics and colors. My favorite is the sequined- awesome!!
www.chicpeeks.com
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