Everything you ever wanted to know about...
(plz note. The photographic examples used in this LJ are mostly of Chloe Vevrier and Yoko Matsugane because i was on a EXCEEEDINGLY slow internet connection n needed to find examples easily)
Anatomists recognise mutiple clefts or cleavages in the human body. These clefts include the one between the buttocks, the variety created when the appendages fold upon each other (like when your calf and thigh connect when you kneel), even that which is created whence you lower your head and press your jawline/chin against your neck.
Cleavage, in the most popular terms was invented by Fashion.
And it refers, only, to Boobs.
It all started when the corset was invented. For years, corsetted women were aware that their breasts bulged out the tops of these bone structured garments. Their hubbies however werent, as initially the upper torso was covered whether or not the lower half was corsetted.
Then came the era seen commonly in BBC period dramas on a Sunday Arvo where corsetted cleavage can be seen popping out all over the place.
Rest lies as history.
Fashion however dictates that there are actually FIVE types of breast cleavage. (Two of them are essentially the same, just being considered separate by Fashion). Add to this the fact that cleavage isnt cleavage unless it is defined by one of three "Fashion Lines" and you get an idea of how wanky those big overblown sewing shops in Paris, Milan and London really are. These three 'fashion lines' are: the neckline, armhole, and cutoff line.
So no matter how crazy a womans cleavages are when she's entirely topless, they aint considered 'cleavages' by the world of fashion until there is some... fashion, involved.
1) 'Cleavage Décolleté'
The best known cleavage, it is simply... cleavage. Its real name however is 'Cleavage Décolleté' or 'Top Cleavage'. This is the one that everyone thinks of when they hear the term, and indeed it is the most commonly seen, being the space, cleft or contour between the breasts as viewed from above. It is defined and dependant upon the neckline of the garmet being worn ending short of displaying the areola or nipples, with the cleft or contour only considered to be 'Cleavage Décolleté' if it is that which is situated above this level. So essentially its only the top part, with it becoming something more (as mentioned below) if the neckline plunges much further.
It can be achieved by all women of all size busts, either naturally through the normal position of the breasts or indeed through undergarments. Most large busted women have cleavage whether or not they wear a bra or support garment, and almost all smaller busted women can achieve some sort of result thru various techniques and devices.
Fashion recognises the cleavage of all bust sizes. It kinda has to, given most models are rake thin and flat chested...
From large naturals:
To
Largely Wonderbra'ed
The next level down is ...
2) 'Cleavage Centros'
Centre Cleavage. This is the cleavage in the centre, the middle... between the nipples. It is most commonly seen when a garment or bra with a plunging neckline or cup is worn.
It is the cleavage of the breasts as seen between the nipples and areola. Typically it is almost always shown alongside or rather beneath, the Cleavage Décolleté, with the exception of uncommon items of clothing with holes, or tears in them that only reveal this section if the bust while hiding the upper cleavage.
Halters with excessive necklines are most commonly used to display centre cleavage, and given it is displayed often without a bra it relies upon the breasts sitting close enough together as to be displayed within the plunge gap. With low cupped brassieres, the bra must be designed as such that it doesnt separate the breasts so much as to remove the cleavage.
Chloe Vevrier demonstrating the full nine yards.
Shay Laren in a low cupped bra.
And The Plunging effect.
To the Left or to the Right...
3)'Cleavage Côté'
Otherwise known, thanks primarily to "The Family Guy" as Side Boob!
This is the point where the lower part of the breast meets the ribcage, as viewed from a side on or indeed diagonally angled from the rear. It is only viewable thru the armhole of a garment and is unique in that it is not visible when the person wishing to display it is wearing a full brassiere.
Whether the breasts hang and a quantity of their lower mass sits against the chest or the breasts are smalll and have little or no overhang, that point of connection, be it small or large is considered to be Cleavage Côté
Despite Lindsay Lohan being the most famouse celebrity Side Boob Flasher, i prefer Anne Hathaway:
Then theres Japanese Gravure Idol Yoko Mutsugane.
Down Under...
4) 'Underside Cleavage'
It would seem this cleavage, the final of the four main types, was the onle one not coined by the French. In fact, no matter where it was coined, its universally known, lol, as 'Australian Cleavage', given its on the underside of the breasts, as viewed from in front or beneath.
It is also very rarely intentionally displayed, usually appearing accidently when a bra or bikini top doesnt fit properly and rides up, displaying the point where the breast meets the ribcage at the front.
It can be very attractive however as i remember it being when i first saw the cover of this Ween album, 'Chocolate and Cheese', the model therein demonstrating a beautifully pulled off example of Aussie Cleavage:
So they are the main four types.
What about the fifth? Well its a bit much to be honest, and puts Fashion's ideal of needing garments to define cleavage to its limits.
5) 'Cleavage Cleavy'
This is known as Multiple Cleavage, and lol, it is most commonly recognised when the model is wearing nothing but vanity caps over her nipples and areola. This is really the only way of showing all four types simultaniously other than wearing an excessively small bikini top.
Otherwise only the Top, Centre and Side cleavages are commonly shown at the one time, making Aussie Cleavage the big loser once again.
Thats it eh, boobies... with mad cleavages!
No, its not.
There is a 6th cleavage.
But its ever so rare, and viewed by fashionistas and designers as being irrelevant to their craft.
It is the cleavage of perverts and ppl who cant avert their gaze. Its...
6) 'Leanover Cleavage'
You can only see whats otherwise known as 'Gravity Separation' cleavage when a woman, of any bust size leans forwards, rendering her upper torso towards the horizontal plane.
It is a quite often huge cleft that forms between the breasts when they are viewed from above, with gravity weighing vertically, nipples toward the floor. Whether captured in a bra or shirt, the breasts will hang and collect themselves in a way no other type of cleavage can demonstrate, often separating radically or indeed squishing together depending on their size and the garment being worn.
This cleavage is the not oft seen jewel , the sparkle of which drives all those men to crane their necks desperate get a look down your top when you pick up the car keys you just dropped.
You often see it while watching tennis:
Or just when a woman with G Cup cans leans over...
Separate.
Not Separate.
(BTW there is surprisingly little on this subject on the internets... You should feel lucky i searched for ya.)
Meantime. Ive decided that when i die id like to donate my corpse to the RTA and become a CRASH TEST CADAVER! With any luck i might be the first person to fly thru the windscreen on the new Holden Torana whenever they decide to make it.