Why ‘taking the plunge’ necklines are the ultimate power move and how stars like Helen Flanagan secretly use them
CELEBRITIES are taking the plunge when it comes to their necklines and some are even using their v-necks as a nod to their love lives.
Less fabric on top is definitely more for the likes of Helen Flanagan and Khloe Kardashian and experts say the trend has become an intentional and empowering move.
Body language pro Judi James says having cleavage on show is no longer about ‘pea-cocking’ – a way of attracting the opposite sex – but it’s now a case of ‘I choose to,’ rather than ‘I have to’ for strong and independent women.
Judi explains: “Cleavages used to be seen as a form of sexual advertising or flirtation that purely pandered to men.
“All that balcony bra-uplifting and compressing was primarily seen as a form of pea-cocking to attract a mate.
“As a symbol of projected strength the breast speaks for itself.
Judi James
“But this new trend of plunging necklines and flashing sides looks much more like a signal of power and independence from women who do it because they want to and no longer need to in terms of getting attention, male approval or even jobs.
“It’s also often a statement made by women who are single or in on-off relationships that are sometimes single-sex.
“This can really show off your body confidence and make a bold statement, whether you’re challenging norms or just expressing yourself, both with others and within yourself.”
“And like any good red carpet look it can also be a competitive gesture.”
Judi says it’s on the red carpet where women usually vie to wear the deepest plunge, like singer Lady Gaga and actress Julianne Moore, who wore gowns with a plunging neck line, at the Venice Film Festival this year.
Judi adds: “‘Who dares wins’ is currently the mantra in the celebrity world, where women vie to wear the deepest plunge (Sometimes right down to the lower pelvis) or show off everything apart from the actual nipples.
“As a symbol of projected strength the breast speaks for itself.
“Puffed up and splayed chests are linked with superior power and alpha status so this female version can project a similar sense of status superiority.”
From chaotic but cute to fierce and confident, Judi takes the plunge and reveals the ‘V’ nice secret messages celebs are sending out in their snaps…
Helen Flanagan
Chaotic but cute
The actress, 33, has revealed her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot has stepped into the stepfather role with her three children – Matilda, Delilah and Charlie.
The former Coronation Street star, who shares her kids with ex Scott Sinclair, left fans gobsmacked last week when she disclosed that she’d been secretly dating despite her stint on E4‘s Celebs Go Dating.
Judi says: “Helen seems keen to use her cleavage displays to impress the message on the world that she is now all grown up and doing things on her own terms despite what can often be seen as a chaotic love life.
It’s a statement pose and suggests she’s ready to take on the world
Judi James
“Her head tilt shows a desire to be liked and to gain approval but the emphatic cleavage looks like a gesture of choice to register some more steely sense of life objectives behind the cuteness.”
Christine McGuiness
Careful but strong statement
Christine and her ex-husband Paddy McGuiness announced they would be divorcing after 11 years of marriage in 2022.
Since then, the reality star, 36, has been regularly uploading sexy pictures to her Instagram and isn’t afraid to show off her curves.
Judi says: “This is breast plate-power from Christine, who has her boobs carefully and impressively encased in a structured, metallic-looking top.
“Amazonian warrior women were always said to bare their breasts as a sign of being battle-fit and Christine’s elegant, statement pose here suggests she’s ready to take on the world now since her split with Paddy.”
Sofia Vegara
Fierce and confident
The Hollywood actress split from her husband Joe Manganiello earlier this year and the pair were proud to announce that it was an amicable one.
The 52-year-old revealed that her marriage broke up because her “husband was younger; he wanted to have kids and I didn’t want to be an old mum.
But her fashion sense proves that it hasn’t stopped her from feeling empowered.
It’s a show-stopping display of confidence with an ironic twist in terms of Hollywood imagery
Judi James
Judi says: “Sofia might have hit our screens as a woman with one of the most impressive cleavages on TV but now she’s shown her Emmy and Golden Globe nominated acting chops – and established herself as a businesswoman – she could clearly keep her assets under wraps for the rest of her working life if she wanted.
“But here she chooses to display a deep cleavage in what looks like a statement of pride, informing us she is in control and doing things on her own terms now.
“This wide display of breast looks like the ultimate power move by a fiercely confident successful woman coming out of a marriage split.”
Khloe Kardashian
Independent and determined
She is one of the most prominent members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, which means her personal life has been well documented.
The reality star, 39, has had a roller coaster of a ride with her love life including with her former partner NBA star Tristan Thompson, who is the father of her two children.
Now that she is single, Khloe shows no remorse – especially in the figure-hugging black dress.
Judi says: “One glance at Khloe’s wide, squared shoulders, her raised chin plus hard stare to the camera and that gleaming, self-supporting cleavage shows Khloe is baring to look daring rather than sweetly man-pleasing.
Amazonian warrior women were always said to bare their breasts as a sign of being battle-fit
Judi James
“This body language suggests independence and a determination to live life on her own terms now and date who she pleases, regardless of controversy.
“Khloe has now hit 40 and, with her ex Tristan still in her life, this is a pose that suggests ‘I got this’ in terms of resilience and inner confidence.”
Denise Van Outen
Confident but ironic
Known for her vibrant personality and impressive career, Denise is clearly having fun whilst she lives the life as a single woman.
The 49-year-old was previously married to actor Lee Mead, with whom they share their daughter Betsy together, before they split in 2013.
She is un-dented and oozing body confidence post-split
Judi James
From July 2014 she was in a relationship with commodities trader Eddie Boxshall; they lived together in Chelmsford, but that ended in January 2022.
Now Denise, who reportedly joined celebrity dating app Raya earlier this year, is clearly taking the plunge with her fashion and proving that she is empowered.
Judi says: “Bared to the waistline, Denise’s boobs hang naturally with an impressive cleavage that doesn’t look pushed inward or upward to get any unnatural effect.
“This looks like an ‘On my terms’ body language statement despite the nod to the heaving-bosom glamour of the 50’s.
“It’s a show-stopping display of confidence with an ironic twist in terms of Hollywood imagery, showing her ex or any other guys watching that she is un-dented and oozing body confidence post-split.”
Is the plunging neckline back in fashion?
By Fabulous’ Deputy Fashion Editor, Abby McHale
Buying clothes with a plunging neckline such as a V shape or sweetheart style can often be the most flattering.
It draws your eye towards your decolletage which is a very flattering area of your body.
There’s nothing wrong with showing off a bit of cleavage, it’s part of your body and shouldn’t be hidden away, no matter how big or small your chest is.
I’m all for it, however, if I do wear something low cut then I often find that I wear something less revealing on the bottom half to balance out my look.
This could mean wearing a low cut top tucked into a pair of jeans, with a blazer over the top to smarten it up, as showing off cleavage doesn’t have to be smutty.
It really is all about balance and what you feel comfortable wearing.