This post was inspired by an anonymous suggester who left us a note in our Skribit suggestion box on the left side of the screen. If you’d like to suggest a topic, have a question, or even a comment, click the “We should cover…” question at the top of the box, and enter your comment – voila! Customized blog post, just for you!
If we could pick one body part that we all definitely see more of in the summer, it’d be boobs. The girls, the twins, Lefty and McRighty… Some women, clearly, are more free with the exposure of their breasts, but – as a larger-chested woman who is subject of much ogling when cleavage is present – some of us enjoy a touch more coverage, just for our personal level of comfort.
Summer, however, presents an obstacle: How do you keep your level of coverage comfortable while still staying breeze-attracting and cool? Well, there are a handful of styles that will accomplish this goal for both busty and small-chested women.
Coverage and Breezes For All!
Since we’re only talking about cleavage today, I’d like to direct your attention to the upper part of the torso for the effectiveness of these pieces. If you’re uncomfortable with your shoulders or upper arms, it’s going to be a little bit tougher to achieve both comfort levels – though doable! – but that’s a different post. 
This has all the benefits of a halter top, but with some extra flare at the straps. The girls are covered up to the collarbone, and the rest is breezy and free.
Kenneth Cole Sleeveless Cowl Neck
This piece was suggested by Solo Lisa who stocked up on them for her “hot’n'sweaty” salsa dancing escapades! I think it’s a GREAT way to show some style with lots of support and coverage.
While we typically encourage girls to wear what they want, when they want to wear it… If you’re looking for some more coverage and a touch of modesty, there are definitely some “do’s and don’t”s depending on your endowment. For instance, no matter how much a busty girl likes that strapless top, it’s not going to keep you covered. The same goes for the opposite end of the spectrum (yes, small-busted women want coverage, too!).
Extra Tips for Smaller Chests
If you have between an AA- and a B-cup, you have a lot of options for tops. Triangle tops aren’t best because they show your breastbone on most women, because of the depth of the V-neck. The idea is to keep your curves, but keeping hidden that which makes them. (That was almost Yoda-like…)
This is great for small-chested women because the neckline drives straight across the bust, keeping all your goods inside. The halter neck is still a a nice feature because of the open-ness of it, allowing lots of cool air to hit your skin.
Extra Tips for Busty Gals
The goal here is to obstruct the direct view of your girls while still maintaining shape, style and – of course – airflow, because that’s what’s going to save you in summer.
This is a great style, known best as a because it’s sheer – so there’s at least a little allure – but, if you wear a nude-colored camisole underneath, it’s feel like that’s all you’re wearing, because the fabric will allow the breeze to go right through! It’s all the benefit of JUST wearing a tank top, but having the coverage and colorfulness of a sassy summer top. I wear this style of shirt over slips with spaghetti straps so I have a wide range of movement (comfortable all day), but still stay cool and appropriate for meetings.
What is your go-to top for summer?
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I belong to the small chest camp. I go for the racerback look that shows off shoulders, but I’m certainly guilty of showing off too much skin…not much to hide so few worries there.
.-= Pamela Quevedo´s last blog ..Communicate =-.
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Posted by Pamela Quevedo | July 8, 2009, 10:08 amAh yes, the dilemma of how to keep cool in the summer without exposing things to everyone whenever moving. Joy. I just stick with tank tops and sleeveless or short sleeved shirts, for lack of anything better – halter tops would be nice but the convertible/strapless bra I have tends to show under all of them. And I have yet to find anything with a decent shelf bra. Sigh!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Marvelous Monday! =-.
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Posted by Michelle | July 8, 2009, 12:51 pmNew post by @MissElle at @TheDemoiselles: Modesty in Summertime: The Ol’ Cleavage: http://twurl.nl/hjqeeo
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Posted by Jen | July 8, 2009, 2:41 pm@ The Demoiselles :: Modesty in Summertime: The Ol’ Cleavage:
This post was inspired by an .. http://tinyurl.com/kuhthg
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Posted by The Demoiselles | July 8, 2009, 3:01 pmRT @TheDemoiselles The Demoiselles » Blog Archive » Modesty in Summertime: The Ol’ Cleavage http://tinyurl.com/nnmw9k
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Posted by Pamela Quevedo | July 8, 2009, 3:05 pmUs women, we have boobs. In summer, they fly freer than usual…but what about those that want a little modesty? http://tinyurl.com/nnmw9k
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Posted by Jen | July 8, 2009, 4:25 pmI’m a 40D and finding summer tops that work is a PAIN! I like that suggested top that is worn to salsa dancing…looks comfy and supportive. I can’t do anything with buttons across the chest because I always get those awesome strained gaps between the buttons. I HATE that! It will be fitted everywhere but the boobs, and if I go a size up the whole top is too frumpy looking. And summer dresses? Forget about it! Triangle tops and strapless don’t work so I feel I am left with nothing *pouts*
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Posted by Michelle Leigh | July 8, 2009, 8:26 pmThanks for the shout-out! I wore one of my Kenneth Cole tops for salsa last night…it kept everything covered up and I was able to crisscross the straps on my convertible bra (which was fully hidden). I’m so glad I bought them.
.-= lisa´s last blog ..New Article In Vancouver Fashion eZine =-.
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Posted by lisa | July 8, 2009, 8:42 pmRT @craftyasparagus: New post by @MissElle at @TheDemoiselles: Modesty in Summertime: The Ol’ Cleavage: http://twurl.nl/hjqeeo
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Posted by Lisa Wong | July 9, 2009, 1:43 amAt work theres a women with large ‘assets’, who wears really low cut tops and you can see everything! I have a really small chest, so usually find it hard to find tops that compliment them.
.-= Sherin´s last blog ..All white =-.
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Posted by Sherin | July 9, 2009, 2:24 pmI have no boobs…that makes me sad.
I do love your blog though! We have a similar idea! =)
.-= Summer´s last blog ..Fashion Friday =-.
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Posted by Summer | July 17, 2009, 3:28 pmMy summer go tops are tank tops. I have a million colors and they go with just about everything.
I’m leery about anything cut lower than a tank top because I’m so short (4’10 3/4″) I feel like everyone’s looking down my shirt.
.-= NancyJ´s last blog ..Nine Months From Now… =-.
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Posted by NancyJ | July 28, 2009, 12:22 pm