I am always amazed by what people think is okay to wear for work to the hospital (besides this older story, I have a few of my own - don't get me started about the clueless undergrad who showed up in a velour tracksuit to shadow a well-regarded professor in his busy surgical clinic). Unfortunately, the violators tend to be women. Shirts that show off belly button piercings? Skirts that make certain examinations a foregone conclusion? Open toed shoes? Besides being an OSHA violation, that one's just a little icky, if you think about it. Apparently, it's not just me. In the business or professional world - which is rightfully different than let's say, the college or club world - there is a higher standard for dress. For some reason, this sartorial adjustment seems to be particularly harder for women to adapt to - it's not as easy as slapping on a button down shirt and tie.
My favorite quote from one of the NY Times articles linked above, excerpted in this post title, is from Barbara Pachter, an author and business etiquette lecturer: "My opinion is that cleavage is not a corporate look, and not what you want to be remembered for."
Now, don't get me wrong - a big part of my world as a plastic surgeon is cleavage, making and enhancing it. But there is definitely a time and place; maybe at work, strong consideration should be given to putting it away.
