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Quick tips for meeting dress code standards and staying modest
Co-authored byJordan Stolch
Last Updated: January 24, 2024References
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- Choosing a Modest Bra |
- Choosing a Concealing Undergarment |
- Covering up with Accessories and Outerwear |
- |
- Tips
You know that dress in the back of your closet that always makes you feel like Cinderella at the ball? You love it because it's glamorous, but wish it would show just a little less cleavage. A few simple tricks will help you sport that low-cut number with confidence.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Choosing a Modest Bra
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1
Invest in a bralette. A bralette is a bra that has no padding or underwire. Free from all the usual bra trappings, you don’t have to worry about your cleavage taking over the night.
- If this still isn’t cutting it, you can go a step further and choose a lace bralette. This version of the bralette is edged in lace and is meant to be worn in public, rather than buried beneath a shirt. The lace will help cover your cleavage and add a romantic touch to your dress.[1]
2
Wear a bandeau for a layered look. It’s made of stretchy material and doesn’t waste its time on extra padding. Similar to the bralette, bandeaus are meant to meet the public eye, and will help you achieve a lovely layered look.[2].
- You can also use your bandeau to create a color contrast - brighten a black dress with a hot pink bandeau or temper a red dress with a black bandeau. You could also consider coordinating your bandeau with other accessories like shoes.
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3
Try a high neck bra. High neck bras often tie at the neck and look like halters or come with a detachable decorative portion that slides conveniently in front of your cleavage. Not only will this bra cover your cleavage, it will give an edge to even the most boring dress.[3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Choosing a Concealing Undergarment
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1
Layer a lace camisole under your dress. Camisoles are basically tiny, body-fit tank tops. Regular camisoles will work too, but their appeal is informal, so if your dress is on the fancy side opt for the lace version instead. Also, some camisoles have a bra built in, allowing you to skip the bra entirely – whether this is to your advantage or not depends on the dress.[4]
- Try wearing a cami that matches your skin tone or the color of the dress for a subtle look, or choose a color that complements the dress if you want to add a little contrast.[5]
2
Do-it-yourself with a sewn-in cleavage cover. Choose a strong, thin material such as spandex or Lycra. These fabrics ten to provide support but also allow for movement.
- You can also consider lace, but you would want to bind two layers together in order for the material to be strong enough.
- From there you will need to find a cleavage cover pattern. You can find plenty of free cleavage cover patterns online. Pinterest and sewing blogs are a great place to start your search.
3
Put on a snap-on bra overlay for an easy solution. This convenient triangle of fabric snaps right into your bra. The lace versions of these are especially apt for pairing with dresses. Be sure to consider what kind of fabric the overlay is made out of as some materials can be itchy and will be more of a nuisance than a help.[6]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Covering up with Accessories and Outerwear
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1
Accessorize with a webbed necklace. Webbed necklaces work great since they tend to cover more skin. You can always use some fashion tape to pin the necklace in place if you are planning on dancing.[7]
2
Wear a scarf for a simple fix. A scarf can add elegance, texture, and color to your outfit. Avoid bulky and multi-colored scarves that will overwhelm, instead of highlight, your dress. Silk scarves in particular will give your dress that extra romantic edge.[8]
- Looping your scarf in a waterfall shape, rather than tying it, will allow for the best coverage.
3
Sport a shawl for a classy look. Shimmy in style (and worry-free) when you pair your dress with a shawl. You will want to find a shawl that has a triangle front. The triangle lays right over your cleavage so there is no need for any special pinning or folding.[9]
4
Pair it with a pashmina. Feeling fancy? Add a pashmina to your dress and you will be the poshest lady on the block. While you can fold a pashmina in many ways, the best option for covering cleavage is to fold your pashmina into a top. Simply wrap the pashmina around your front and then bring it back over the shoulder and let the remaining fabric drape.[10]
5
Try a cute coat. A small decorative jacket has three functions: bringing your dress to life, covering your cleavage, and keeping you warm on cold nights. Find a coat whose color complements your dress and you are on your way!
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Expert Q&A
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Question
How do you cover a deep V neck dress?
Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style AdvisorJordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).
Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Answer
Try wearing a cami that matches your skin tone or the color of the dress for a subtle look, or choose a color that complements the dress if you want to add a little contrast.
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Question
How can I add a little more coverage to a low-cut dress?
Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style AdvisorJordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).
Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Answer
If the dress is a V-neck, try pinching the dress together in the front, then use double-sided wardrobe tape to secure the neckline and bring it up a little. You could also stitch a snap on the inside to keep the dress closed.
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Tips
Whether it’s a new bralette, a new scarf, or a new camisole, be sure you try it out before going out. While many of these options will cover your cleavage, they may also leave your chest looking lumpy or shapeless. Try the clothes on and be sure you aren’t trading one faux-pas for another.[11]
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If you just want to make sure you don't accidentally show too much skin, try using double-sided wardrobe tape to secure the dress to your skin.[12]
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Trying stitching a snap into the neckline of the dress to close it a little.[13]
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References
- ↑ http://www.hurraykimmay.com/2016/12/26/what-to-wear-underneath-plunging-necklines
- ↑ http://www.hurraykimmay.com/2016/12/26/what-to-wear-underneath-plunging-necklines
- ↑ http://www.hurraykimmay.com/2016/12/26/what-to-wear-underneath-plunging-necklines
- ↑ http://sixtyandme.com/fashion-for-women-over-50-the-art-of-accessorizing-with-scarves/
- ↑ Jordan Stolch. Image Consultant & Style Advisor. Expert Interview. 3 November 2020.
- ↑ https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/cleavage-cover/
- ↑ http://www.hurraykimmay.com/2016/12/26/what-to-wear-underneath-plunging-necklines
- ↑ http://sixtyandme.com/fashion-for-women-over-50-the-art-of-accessorizing-with-scarves/
- ↑ https://blog.tincanknits.com/2016/03/10/how-to-wear-a-shawl/
More References (4)
- ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-wear-a-pashmina-4428070
- ↑ http://www.hurraykimmay.com/2016/12/26/what-to-wear-underneath-plunging-necklines
- ↑ Jordan Stolch. Image Consultant & Style Advisor. Expert Interview. 3 November 2020.
- ↑ Jordan Stolch. Image Consultant & Style Advisor. Expert Interview. 3 November 2020.
About This Article
Co-authored by:
Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
This article was co-authored by Jordan Stolch. Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM). This article has been viewed 42,043 times.
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Co-authors: 6
Updated: January 24, 2024
Views:42,043
Categories: Fashion Styles | Fashion Fixes
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