REVEALING FASHIONS : HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH ??

      We've come to a point where it's time to discuss what may be the most debated subject in women's fashion: 'How much skin is too much?' Here we will be discussing the display of the female breast and what is and isn't an appropriate level of revelation, we'll also discuss other areas of the female body that are often left exposed. But first, let's review what the ideals of womanly allure were in our more recent history.

Titillation and the History of Women's Fashion:
      In different periods throughout history, society has held various areas of a woman's body representative of the ideal of beauty. In the Regency period - from 1790 to 1820 - women's fashion was dominated by short, puffed sleeves worn with long gloves, and moderately placed necklines which displayed no décolletage. In this era, the exposure of women's necks and often bare elbows were considered acceptable and very alluring. It was graceful slender necks and soft, supple elbows which were the traits that fueled men's desires.
      In the period which followed - 1840 through 1860 - styles gradually shifted toward longer sleeves and higher necklines,
while cinched, corseted waistlines and wide hoop-lined and crinoline-filled skirts emerged. The focus shifted from long-
slender necklines and smooth elbows, to tiny waists and full hips as the standard of beauty.
      As time marched onward to the turn of the century - 1880 to 1910 - the wide hoop skirts and crinolines were replaced by bustles - padded accessories to enhance the woman's rear. The focus remained on the narrow waist and full hips, but became increasingly directed toward the feet an ankles as women's skirt lengths began to rise slightly.
      As the Edwardian era arrived, (1910-1920) women's clothing styles shifted yet again. Hemlines continued to rise to a point above the ankle, while necklines lowered slightly, once more revealing the neck. A well-turned ankle became a serious focus of sexual interest.
      It was just after this era that the "flapper" look appeared. Women bobbed their hair, and hemlines continued to rise slightly to just below the knee. Small chests were considered the most appealing for the fact that they were most flattering to the clothing of the period. During this period, the legs became the women's ideal feature.
      By the 1940s, as World War II was raging, women's fashions became simpler and still more daring. Skirts continued to grow shorter, and necklines began to plunge. The days of small fronts were gone, and women with normal proportions began to take the stage as the ideal which men found most appealing. The war effort required that women take up duties in jobs previously held by
men, and these women enjoyed a taste of freedom which was reflected in the freedom they felt to express their womanliness in their modes of dress. An hourglass silhouette and shapely legs were the order of the day.
      The 1950s brought with it a slight reversal, as the end of the war and focus on starting a family ushered in a more conservative attitude in women's fashion. The overt sexiness of women's fashion veered toward more subtle representations of shapeliness. The tailored A-line skirts of the 40s were replaced by wide skirts which offered a more conservative look.
      However, by the mid-60s and 70s the conservative role-reversal of the 50s met its own backlash as the younger generation began to clamor for more freedom from societal rules and oppressive roles. Miniskirts, halter blouses and plunging necklines heralded the 'free love' generation's acceptance of their sexual nature, as well as the willingness to revel within it.
      This brings us to the modern era, in which human sexuality became even more acceptable in an even broader range of people. The 1980s and 1990s saw blatant sexuality and objectification of the female body in music videos, movies, advertising and everyday life. Outside of the fashion industry, where models remained tall and slim-built, curves became the womanly ideal.
 
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