If ever there was proof needed that there are cooler swathes of flesh to flash than the two on your chest (great as they can also be), it should be the immortal words of Johnny Depp, when he spoke about falling in love with Vanessa Paradis. (And yes, we know they broke up but they lasted almost 15 years, ok?) 'She was wearing a dress with an exposed back and I saw that back and that neck, and then she turned around I saw those eyes, and boom! My life as a single man was done,' he said ever so evocatively and romantically of their meeting at Hotel Costes, in 1998.
Well quite, Johnny. Because apart from the obvious red-hot sexy zones - the boobs, the bum, the legs - the stuff that's currently spilling out of the high street stores are making a host of new erogenous zones to expose this summer.
The key is in their unexpectedness. Take, the shoulders, for example, - and these other sexy, snapshot zones.
The back
A candid snap of Cara at the Di Grosogino party in Cannes revealed a gaggle of supermodels fawning over backless Roberto Cavalli gown and, specifically, her statement back necklace. Baring your back instead of your rack is the coolest thing this summer; especially when garnished with a back necklace. (A backlace?) We love this Branched Back Necklace, £44.37 by epic Scandi jeweller, Cornelia Webb.
The rib
No, before you do a sharp intake of breath we're not suggesting you should starve yourself to make this new frock-scene work. Visible ribs are never a great idea. But we do love the cheeky side-expose that comes with this Olvera Dress, £153.97, from The Reformation. Just don't tan in it. Can you imagine those sunburn marks?
The 'triangle'
This particular shape of flesh was coined wholesale by Alexander Wang with his SS14 collection - spawning a micro-trend whereby you only do up your top few shirt buttons - and consists specifically of the under cleavage, as it were. It's a tricky one if you're bosomy, but if you're modest of chest then you should give this a go; if only because that particular triangle of flesh is naturally sparser or flesh and more toned than the area around your hips. A small note, though: the triangle is less about the midriff, so pair an oversized man's shirt like this Light Blue Dotted Cotton Shirt, £140, by Folk with something high-waisted so as to cover your belly button.
A sliver of leg
If you were living in the time of Austen, then you would be regularly 'taking a turn around the room' so that the men could admire your figure and, most notably, your prettily turned out ankles. Seriously, imagine doing this now? These days the C19th's ankle is now the 21st girl's leg sliver. Think of the split skirt as an update on Angelina's famed 'one leg' red carpet pose. Please note, plunging neckline plus dramatically rising hemline, as seen on Rihanna in SS14 Altuzarra, may not work on mere mortals. Zara's Studio Skirt With Front Slit, £49.99 will offer a subtle form of sexy, which is ultimately more mysterious - in its hint of a reveal - than a mini skirt.
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Pictures: Getty, Rex
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.