How to take the plunge, without peeps

How to take the plunge, without peeps - Worn the right way, a low-neck dress can be a weapon of mass distraction. But, even as a plunging neckline makes you an instant headturner, it puts you at the risk of great fashion faux pas. Take, for instance, these ladies, who knowingly went down that road.

While pop star Katy Perry, as famous for her songs as she is for her cleavage, took the plunge with a navel baring V-neck at a recent public appearance, closer home, former model Mehr Rampal had a horrible spill at an recent awards do — all because both of them got the innerwear wrong.

“Before opting for a cleavage-baring neckline, first sort the innerwear out. If like Perry, it’s such a low neck that no bra can be worn, go for body tape, but never a nude piece of cloth placed so strangely,” says fashion stylist and critic Umesh Jivnani.

And going bra-less isn’t a wise thing to do, feel fashion experts. “If the neckline is so deep that nothing can be worn underneath, that still isn’t your last option. Wear paste-ons or bosom pads which are easily available, to avoid peek-a-boos,” says fashion editor Ekta Rajani.

“What looks sexy on one woman can end up looking vulgar on another. The right undergarment, especially with a deep neck, is very necessary. It will add the much-needed curves you want to show off, while also making the cleavage look taut, taking care of any sagging or such issues,” says designer Anupama Dayal.

The end result? While a little skin show might make heads turn, when you’re literally putting it all out there, the right undergarment is a must. “When you’re spending anywhere between R30,000 and upwards for a dress, then why skip on spending R1,000 on good, well-fitted inner-wear when it makes you look good?” adds Jivnani. So, don’t let the V neckline intimidate you, all you need is a quick shopping trip to the mall before flaunting it the right way.

Here’s how you can get the V-neck right

With a deep v-neck a plunge bra comes in handy. Similar to the design of a v-neck blouse, a plunge bra has a very deep separation between the cups, allowing for visible cleavage. They also provide a little more lift and separation, which can give the illusion of larger breasts, making them a good choice for any woman looking to enhance her assets,” says Deeksha J Dadu, of online lingerie portal, www.strapsandstrings.com. But what to do when you try to pull of a Perry or Mehr? “Self-adhesive cups will give minimal support without the centre band . You can also try a low-plunge U-shaped bra, designed specifically for such necklines. Balconette bras are also appropriate for low-cut blouses and shirts since they are often very low-cut and generally have underwire in them in order to support the chest,” adds Dadu.

The difference clever styling can go on to make

Former model Mehr Rampal wore this Monisha Jaising outfit to a recent awards, while actor Deepika Padukone wore a dress with the same cuts on a popular TV show. How the ladies carried the tricky dress with a cut just below the bosom made all the difference. While Mehr ended up making a faux pas by putting too much on view through the cutout in the dress, Deepika carried off the look with ease. It was surely a tricky dress to pick the right innerwear for, but the little extra effort surely paid off for Deepika.

“Spending the extra 20 minutes planning the look is well worth it. Always pick innerwear that will compliment the neckline. For a deep scooped neckline, opt for a nude, strapless bra with underwire for the right support,” says Rajani. ( hindustantimes.com )