First time dressing up--how to get the fantastic Ren Faire cleavage effect

[isabelladangelo]

Showing some cleavage is ok. Too much, why bother?

Why bother?! 
Eye candy for us men folk!  That's why!

This and many of the other male comments on this bother me greatly - it's also why I don't think women should wear such things.  Basically, because due to the Germanic influences early on in this country, breasts are seen as sexual objects and not as the two lumps of fat surrounding glands that they are (this is why the French have a very different view).  When you wear low cut bodices like this, you are basically saying "I am nothing more than a sexual object" and not a woman with a mind of her own.  It's revolting to me . 

The saying is the "clothes make the man".  In this case, your clothes (which is what garb is) makes you on the same level as a stripper.  Is that really what you want?

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

Showing some cleavage is ok. Too much, why bother?

Why bother?! 
Eye candy for us men folk!  That's why!

[Trillium]

Alrighty peoples....lets get back on topic.  Everyone has the right to choose as they see fit.  It is a matter of personal choice in the manner of which you dress on a daily basis and on special occasions.  So...lets not attack people who go to either extreme.

[Rowan MacD]

   Even though the OP has not chimed in-I think we have answered her questions.       
  She will select a look and try it out; either she will like the response she gets, or not, and will adjust accordingly.
  We have all tried out new looks, and have either loved or hated them.

   Actually, I would encourage her to consider joining the International Wenches Guild (IWG) and read/post there for further advice of this sort  .   They will be able to advise her on the Do's (Don'ts) of the Daring Decolletage. 
   

[Sitara]

When you wear low cut bodices like this, you are basically saying "I am nothing more than a sexual object" and not a woman with a mind of her own.  It's revolting to me . 

The saying is the "clothes make the man".  In this case, your clothes (which is what garb is) makes you on the same level as a stripper.  Is that really what you want?

I happen to like my breasts and how I look in my low cut garb, that's why I sewed it that way. Comparing me to a mindless sex object is highly offensive to me. How is it better when you belittle and objectify a fellow woman than when a man does it?

[isabelladangelo]

I'm sorry if you were offended.  It was meant only to show how the individual would be viewed in the real world rather than how they want to be viewed.  We all often have ideas of how things should be which do not take into account the baseness that actually exists in the world nor how to combat that.

  However, I also find it interesting that you are only offended by me and not by the male comments. 

[Sitara]

They said eye candy meaning something they like to look at, nothing they said placed judgement on other attributes; you said sexual object, not a woman with a mind of her own, revolting, and stripper therefore judging everything about me based on my appearance.  There is a difference.

[Prima]

I was hoping to insert a little off topic but still relavent question to the experienced ladies in th conversation... a couple of you mentioned the importance of using sunscreen on the declotage.  An error I made this past year in Colorado.  I attempted to remedy it the following day, but was very concerned about the sunscreen ruining the soft linen of my new camica. Do you ladies have a sunscreen of choice that isnt greasy, and you do not have to worry about it staining delicate fabrics?   

[gypsylakat]

@Prima, Idk about staining fabrics, but you'll get less greasy results by using a face sunscreen, I like neutrogena's formula.
I would spot test it on a similar fabric.

[isabelladangelo]

@Prima, Idk about staining fabrics, but you'll get less greasy results by using a face sunscreen, I like neutrogena's formula.
I would spot test it on a similar fabric.

I love neutrogena.  I use it on my hands as well as my neck/face at events.  It hasn't caused any issues with the linen chemises.  (or any allergic reactions for me which is also a plus!) However, there was one (I got it on sale at Target and threw it out.  I can't recall the name, sorry!) that gave me pink spots any where the sunscreen touched the linen.  They did come out - oxyclean and tide with a couple drops of Dawn will get out almost anything- so it wasn't horrible.   Still, like gypsylakat said, test some on a scrap piece of fabric to see how it does (or on the hem of your chemise where no one will see anyway).

Also, if you burn easily - for both guys and girls- consider a parasol or a wide brimmed hat.  I have a nice wide brimmed straw hat that helps a lot as well as several parasols.  If you use a parasol, make sure you know how to use it.  I'm always seeing ladies walking down the street with the parasol directly above their heads.  That only works at noon.  ;-)  You need to angle the parasol throughout the day with the direction of the light. 

[Rowan MacD]

  Isabella has a good point- Reliance on chemical sunscreens can still lead to skin damage even with religious use.   I have seen people end up with mild sunburns after 8 hours with SPF50.  If your skin is burned; the damage is done.
  There is no sunscreen out there, other than zinc (the opaque stuff) that will provide 100% protection from UV over the span of a day in the sun, and that's only if it's not sweated or accidentally wiped off.  Even with the best brands-you are still going to get some UV.
   Only a physical barrier like clothing, a hat or a parasol can do that.   Even then, you still have to be careful of reflected light, like you get off water, snow, sand or any light colored surface you may be spending a lot of time walking over.   
   Unless you live in the dark, your skin will get some UV.  The trick is to prevent too much at a time.  Your skin can recover from most limited exposure, but chronic burns and tanning will make you into a leathery mess before you know it.               
  Nothing can fix that. 
IMHO-If you are fair skinned you shouldn't be tanning at all.
   

[Merlin the Elder]

Isabella, I don't know which faire you attend, but it may be more conservative than the faires that most of us attend. I understand that you are far more about being H.A., but, alas, most of us are there for the fun, if we aren't cast.  Three comments hardly constitutes "many." The two other male respondents are both friends, and they are, like myself, simply wise guys poking fun.

I'm not a breast man, despite the endowment my bride enjoys. Comparing the women and the men who attend the faires that we generally frequent, the women are FAR more brazen about viewing the men lustfully, making suggestive comments, and there are far more pirate women and wenches than nobility.

The young lady was inquiring about how to achieve the look that is common for faires. My bride wears Moresco corsets. As someone else inferred, it is far cheaper to get a good one than a cheap one.

[stonebiscuit]

I was hoping we could get through this thread without slut-shaming from the ladies and creeping from the dudes, but apparently not. 

[Tink]

  Isabella has a good point- Reliance on chemical sunscreens can still lead to skin damage even with religious use.   I have seen people end up with mild sunburns after 8 hours with SPF50. 

I can attest to this- I always use SPF 50, and no matter how much I put on or how often, I'm a lobster after being in the sun 

[Rowan MacD]

    Tink-You are not alone-I would not believe it if I hadn't seen it myself (though I am not one of you thank god).
    There are people who will burn no matter what sunscreen they use or how slight the UV exposure; it's almost like they are allergic to sunlight.
    I have a fair skinned friend (a natural red head) that is extremely sensitive to the sun; she never tans-just gets lobster red in as little as 10 minutes.
    There is nothing that works;  I swear the girl would burn under a flash light.
    She took to wearing a light shawl over her shoulders and bosom when she is in the sun, and only takes it off inside.   she will use a parasol in a pinch, but only the physical barriers work for her.  Bummer.