If you're the kind of girl who likes to flaunt her cleavage, we have some bad news for you: Cleavage is out for fall. The runways were devoid of plunging lines. Even Dolce & Gabbana showed high necks with ties or scarves. Why the sudden return to modesty? The Guardian reports:

Dr. Valerie Steele, director of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, believes that this new prim mood is a reaction to an overdose of trashy looks. "We've had years of thong underpants flashing above everything, and too much cleavage. I think it's just a very natural pendulum swing," she says.

And of course, this wouldn't be a fashion-trend story if the recession didn't have something to do with it! Steele says designers are trying to make their pieces look more couture during hard economic times. Customers want their expensive clothes to actually look expensive, rather than, you know, cheap.

Ironically — yet unsurprisingly — while women's necklines have risen, men's necklines have plunged! Yes, those deep Vs American Apparel made so popular aren't going anywhere. We've said it once but we'll say it again: Men are the new women. Have fun, boys.

Prim and proper [The Guardian]