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Anyone who's seen Secretary, the provocative film starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader from 2002 (a classic!), will know that the office can quickly turn into an X-rated environment. I have no qualms with titillating fiction that explores perverse subjects in a professional context, but we need no reminding that what happens on screen should stay on screen.

And when it comes to women's choice of undergarments, no one wants to be known as the office boob. Quite simply, going braless or even playing up the puppies can make co-workers uncomfortable.

Not to mention the fact that, no matter how unintentional, this can constitute an indecent exposure.

Letting hooters hang out is unacceptable at work, says Toronto image consultant and personal shopper Sarah Collins (who, for the record, did not use the word "hooters").

"Save it for the beach or the bedroom," she quips.

Liliana Mann has fitted women with bras for over 20 years through her North Toronto boutique, Linea Intima, which now has three other locations in the city. Though her advice may seem self-serving, she says that a lady's bust must have an appropriate amount of support at the office (and she's clearly not referring to the tech guys).

"When you're not wearing a bra, it shows - you're slouching and they're bouncing when you walk," she says.

"I don't think you want your bosses to notice your boobs; I think you want your bosses to notice your brain."

Granted, some women have little control over how their nipples react to over-air-conditioned environments. Gadzooks! That explains why commercial buildings are always ice cold in the summer, much to the mortification of women who arrive wearing lighter clothes.

The solution, Ms. Mann says, is to wear nipple covers. She says silicone, foam or microfibre covers (from $14 to $18) can be placed inside of any bra, meaning that women need not limit themselves to moulded or thicker (i.e. less attractive) cups. After all, there's nothing wrong with feeling sexy. Sexy projects confidence.

Ms. Collins is also sensitive to the fact that some women don't want to wear bras and recommends camisoles or sport tanks as an alternative. Hanro is a lingerie company out of Switzerland that makes high-quality natural fibre tanks that cost the same as fancy lacy numbers, but are light and comfortable. Homegrown and readily available lines such as Jacob and Elita are other options.

The key, Ms. Collins says, is to choose an undergarment in which you won't have "movement or transparency."

Acknowledging that offices are still conservative environments, she says that being too suggestive is the biggest issue. She compares a wayward bra strap with seeing men in low-slung pants with their underwear showing. "It makes a jarring impression; it's unsophisticated and unrefined," she says.

As Ms. Mann points out, "I think it's important to have the right bra where the strap doesn't fall off your shoulder and you're constantly sticking your hand in your blouse to pull it back up."

Even if a code of bra conduct doesn't exist, these clearly are not unmentionable issues. On the contrary, they're fun to flesh out. When addressing questions of cleavage, Ms. Collins cautions, jokingly: "When you see the coin slot, you've gone too far."

So there you have it, ladies. Hopefully we've given the As, Bs and Cs of bras adequate coverage.

averner@globeandmail.com