for lack of a better way to put it....boobs everywhere!

With the exception of a Friday night in Glasgow, I haven't seen women dress in a way that is exceptionally different from what I saw in America.

The only difference I notice is women tend to dress more fashionable here.

My aunt used to go topless when she'd come to visit us in the summer (swimming and sunbathing, not grocery shopping etc)       I've always thought that exposed breasts were a non-issue here.

As far as I know, my dad never batted an eye or got an saucy idea.  Our neighbor, however, pruned his hedges daily!

We did have a no nudity at the dinner table rule   

Tight tops?  How tight?  How much cleavage?  Perhaps we just have a different perspective on what is 'too revealing'.  I seldom see women dressing inapproriately.


Vicky

I never said "too tight" or "too revealing". I said that they were more tight and more revealing than I would see in the same situations in the US.

You are right that there is a different perspective regarding what is too tight/revealing in the US than in the UK. For example, in the US, in my experience, a big-boobed woman who wanted to look professional would wear loose tops and do everything she could do minimise the appearance of her boobs.

I definitely noticed a difference when I first moved to the UK. When I first moved here, my husband told me that all the clothes I brought with me from America made me look like a Puritan, and I just wore average everyday American styles.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with the way British women dress. In fact, I like the fact that women of all ages feel comfortable with their bodies.

You are right that there is a different perspective regarding what is too tight/revealing in the US than in the UK. For example, in the US, in my experience, a big-boobed woman who wanted to look professional would wear loose tops and do everything she could do minimise the appearance of her boobs.

If I wear loose tops I still look like I have big boobs, I just look like I am wearing a tent as well!  If anything, I think it looks less professional than a top which outlines my shape.


Vicky

If I wear loose tops I still look like I have big boobs, I just look like I am wearing a tent as well!  If anything, I think it looks less professional than a top which outlines my shape.


Vicky

Slightly off topic, but have you tried Bravissimo?  They sell tops that cater to women with larger breasts.  I've never tried them, but their bras are fab.

It's a cultural difference, even when what the UK woman reveals isn't actually that extreme, it's still a bigger deal to an American eye.

In the UK this issue is just not as big a deal -- in very, very general terms yes the difference is largely owing to a slightly more "puritanical" leaning that has never really gone away in most of the USA, while most Brits, not all, but most, are more likely to think "so what?" to a bit of skin or boobs.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with the way British women dress. In fact, I like the fact that women of all ages feel comfortable with their bodies.

You should see the massive massive cleavage my MIL puts on display! 

And she's not one of those 'mutton dressed as lamb' types either. She's actually quite mumsy!

I agree with you that general display of cleavage is far more acceptable here. I sometimes have to force myself not to oogle my sister-in-law's expansive bazongas over the dinner table at the in-laws! 

I don't mind it, though. It has made me feel I can get away with some tops that might have been considered inappropriate in the States - styles that I think are flattering and feminine.

I don't know whether a dude is supposed to be reading this thread.
After reading here it reminded me of a comment some one made that is relevent.

In America a girl walks down the street scantily dressed and the men all will laugh and whistle at her.

In Britain if the same thing happens a bloke will run after her and offer her his coat and say "aren't you cold dear?"

No sex please we're British.

After reading here it reminded me of a comment some one made that is relevent.

In America a girl walks down the street scantily dressed and the men all will laugh and whistle at her.

In Britain if the same thing happens a bloke will run after her and offer her his coat and say "aren't you cold dear?"

No sex please we're British.

I don't think that person has ever been to the UK.

I don't think that person has ever been to the UK.

Indeed.

I don't think that person has ever been to the UK.

and they've also never lived in or visited South Beach or Hawaii.

talk about fake boobs everywhere! 

I don't think that person has ever been to the UK.

Or maybe they got all their ideas about Britain from tourist brochures and old movies. These days if a woman walks down the street with tout le monde au balcon the guys say "If those puppies are for sale, I'd like the one with the red nose".

In response to the OP, I had the same reaction when I first moved here.  It bothered me quite a bit.  Yes, half (or slightly more) of us have breasts.  I'm fine with that.  I love mine.  I'm not a prude.  But I object to unsolicited viewings of other people's.  It shouldn't be for me to avert my eyes every time I enter my workplace, a newsagents, or any type of public transport in order to avoid seeing a pair of breasts in a sexualized context.  Very nice, and I'm sure they paid top ££s for them, but keep them to yourself love - or at least keep them for paying customers.   

I must admit, now that I only come into contact with the Times, don't go to newsagents, and don't work with Sun readers anymore, it's become much less of a problem. 

and they've also never lived in or visited South Beach or Hawaii.

talk about fake boobs everywhere! 

Or Las Vegas.  I once wore a bra for a top to a Vegas club and was probably the most conservative one there.

Truth be told, I've seen the same stuff tons when I went to college except that it was mostly around campus and not on the streets. So the setting is different, the fashion hardly is.

I know what you mean about the "page 3 girl." I was a bit shocked when my MIL finished the paper during a Sunday lunch visit and handed it to me, and there she was!     Hehe...

I kind of expected more boobs, actually, from all I had ever heard about Europe.... at least you aren't moving to Amsterdam, then "Lucy, you would have loads of 'splaining to do!"   

I actually find the catch-lines a bit more shocking than the boobs.  Like walking to the till at the Co-op with a loaf of bread and passing a mag that reads "My husband's willy is rotting off."  I would think that would be a bit more disturbing for an 11 year-old boy!