Décolletage is a low neckline on a woman’s dress or top. Refers to the upper part of a woman’s torso, comprising of her neck, shoulders, back, and chest, that is exposed by the neckline of her clothing.

In French, 'décolleter' means ‘to reveal the neck'. Throughout history, there have been a wide variety of ways women have chosen to reveal or conceal this area of their body.

Victorian fashion is often described as being “dictated by propriety”. A fuller bust and small waists were very much in Vogue during this time and was often achieved by using a heavily boned corset. Despite the desire for a fuller looking chest, busts were expected to be covered at all times. This prudent expectation resulted in the prevalence of high necklines, often going up to under their chins.

In the 20s women engaged in the new flapper style, which championed flat chests and thin, androgynous bodies. Because this was the beauty standard of the time, women who had fuller busts would often try to flatten their chests by bandaging them with long strips of cloth or by using rubber “bust flatteners”.

The decade of the 1940’s was deeply impacted by World War II, bringing with it the need for strict fabric rations. Due to the simplicity of garments, women began to get creative with the necklines of their garments. Nothing was too revealing, but a more interesting variety of shapes emerged such as square, slit, sweetheart, keyhole, or V cut.

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