Pleasure State, promoting its My Fit range of brassières, commissioned a survey to ask New Zealanders what they thought was ‘cleavagely appropriate’ this holiday season.
   The survey revealed (pun unintended) that two-thirds of New Zealand women own a push-up bra; New Zealanders will show more cleavage at the Christmas party (27 per cent) compared to a regular day at the office (7 per cent).
   The men surveyed had very different attitudes: 41 per cent of men thought it appropriate for women to display at least some cleavage at a family get-together in comparison to just 17 per cent of females.
   Sixty per cent of respondents believed it was all right to highlight both cleavage and legs when choosing an outfit, while more North Islanders (70 per cent) have a bra that uplifts or enhances than South Islanders (61 per cent).
   According to Kiwis, the top-ranked occasions to use a push-up bra are: at a nightclub (80 per cent); on a first date (69 per cent); bumping into the ex (66 per cent); and at a wedding and work Christmas parties (59 per cent for both). Cleavage should be kept at a minimum when: meeting the partner’s parents (82 per cent); on the first day at work (81 per cent); at a job interview with a male boss (75 per cent); and family occasions (71 per cent).
   Relationship psychologist Sara Chatwin commented in a release, ‘A woman’s sexuality is intrinsically linked to her level of confidence and freedom to make her own choices in life. By having choices, she can customize her cleavage for varying social and professional situations, with confidence and self assurance, enhancing her décolletage with pride.’
   Pleasure State’s My Fit range features a push-up, cup-sized pad to enhance cleavage, with three types: FMO (For Me Only), with lining and padding giving a more natural profile and support for sizes A to G; HMO (Hold My Own, shown at top), without padding, giving a low-cut plunging silhouette with a suede lining; and OMB (Oh My Bod), which enhances cleavage more substantially thanks to what the company calls ‘proportional projection enhancement’. The range is available from Myer in Australia, Farmers in New Zealand, selected boutiques, and pleasurestate.co.nz. There is a Facebook page where you can join the debate.
   The sample size for the survey was 500.