Fashion: the cleavage is back upfront

Classy cleavage is back in the shape of the sweetheart neckline. Karen Dacre looks at the fierce new front
19 August 2013

The fashion world has trouble making up its mind about most things. But nothing leaves it on the fence quite like cleavage does. What is “in” one season — or out, as the case may be — is detested the next. Last winter when the trend for turtle and polo-necks took hold, the opportunity to bare even the slightest bit of one’s breasts seemed like an entirely outdated suggestion. Now, with a new season right around the corner, that looks set to change.

Thanks to a renewed focus on erogenous zones including thighs, navels and most importantly the décolletage area, dresses are set to dip low for this autumn.

During the last round of shows this notion of sizzling femininity as explored and emphasised through fashion certainly seemed to be the defining message. In her latest collection for Prada, Miuccia worked with low, sweetheart necklines to create an autumn heroine who was dishevelled but supremely glamorous.

“I wanted to explore impossibilities,” said the designer after the show. “There are so many restrictions on women, ideas on what they can and can’t do.”

Using the female form and this idea of smouldering sexuality as a means of empowerment was also an occupation for Marc Jacobs, who included sweetheart necklines, sweeping low cashmere jumpers and negligées in his latest offering for Louis Vuitton.

Similar silhouettes were explored by Jonathan Saunders and by Frida Gianinni who, in her latest collection for Gucci, relied on an angular plunging V-neck to create shift dresses in magenta and chartreuse.

As a result, a sexually charged sort of elegance is, it seems, all the rage this season. To incorporate this look into your own life, self-confidence is crucial. Baring your figure is something you should make no apologies for but it won’t work if you fear it.

Reacquaint yourself with your décolletage by seeking out sweetheart necklines instead of plunging styles. Not only are they easier to wear, they are also far more flattering for those with bigger bust shapes.

At her Carphone Warehouse event at The Ivy last month, Kate Moss served as a shining example of this trend as she dazzled in a zip-front sweetheart dress from Prada. Other advocates include Victoria Beckham who, despite generating masses of unnecessary headlines, looked spellbinding in the Vuitton silk slip she wore to Wimbledon back in June.

In a day and age when threats of sexual violence towards women seem more prevalent than ever, the suggestion to celebrate the physical form we were given through fashion is undoubtedly a loaded one. We’ll wear what we want, when we want. Pity the fools who think otherwise.

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