MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan’s retouched cleavage cover up
In today’s paper I read with interest the huge attention paid to NDP Member of Parliament Rathika Sitsabaiesan based on a blog (click here to read the Contrarian blog post) about her before and after photo retouch. The after photo had been air brushed to conceal her cleavage. No one appears to know why and who it was done by. Here’s my take on the why.
Cleavage is a corporate concern
As a Corporate image consultant, I’m often asked by organizations to speak on the subject of revealing too much cleavage as it is a delicate issue for management to address. (Men in particular find cleavage awkward as it acts as a focal point and a distraction. See my blog post – No Tube Tops, Pigtails or Lace in the Boardroom). Young women especially are not aware of the messages we send when we show too much skin in business.
Situational dressing advice
Of course, context is everything. If MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan was photographed at a gala event wearing a revealing gown, we wouldn’t think twice about it. However, in a parliamentary or corporate headshot, it takes away from her credibility and we assume that she’s not demonstrating good judgment or lacking in common sense or business experience.
Feminine versus provocative
Career women walk a fine line. There seems to be some confusion between dressing in a feminine versus a sensual or provocative manner. Femininity can be an asset. In business dress this means selecting clothing that skims the body without revealing all your assets.
Tips for young women in business
The dress for success advice I give to young women starting out in business or transitioning in their career is to err on the side of being more conservative in your dress if you want to be taken seriously. You want to be remembered for your ideas and opinions, not how you are dressed.
How low can you go?
So how low can you go? I suggest that women do the ‘dip’ test. If when bending over, you see more than a hint of cleavage, it’s better to choose something else.
Tips for cleavage cover up
Here are a few cover up options that allow you to convert a lower cut top to a career enhancing business look.
- A scarf can be used to fill in the neckline (easy to use and update to current fashion trends)
- Cami Secret (not your best business choice – see why not below)
- Cleava (better choice than one above)
My advice is to go with the scarf or Cleava options as the lace trim of a camisole style cover up doesn’t send a business credible message. When you’re younger or starting out in a new career you want to gain as much credibility from your dress as possible.
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Posted by Joanne Blake – The Personal Image Expert and Corporate Image Consultant
I couldn’t resist commenting. Perfectly written!
You make a good suggestion Karin. For those that wish to easily and inexpensively make their tops appropriate for work, the scaves or cleava ‘coverups’ are viable options.
why not get some tops which are office appropriate from the beginning? Does one wear one’s business suits on the weekend? I don’t.