A combination of style and sense

For years, women have had to rely on awkwardly placed safety pins to preserve their modesty in a low-cut top. But this summer, two rather more elegant solutions have come to the fore.

The Bosom Button and the modesty panel could be just the thing to avoid embarrassing catcalls or wardrobe malfunctions. And both look likely to become even bigger sellers.

Bosom Buttons, little pins handmade with a Swarovski gem, are fastened through items such as a wrap dress to give them a higher neck.

Modesty panels, meanwhile, are slips of fabric that cover the area left exposed by a low neckline.

Popular with both genders

Apparently, the items are popular with men and women, with some husbands worried that their wives are showing a bit too much flesh in the heat.

One website has seen demand for the £7.50 (Dh42) bosom buttons soar so much during the recent heatwave that it has sold out — and still taking an order every 30 seconds.

Katie Conroy, from Whatagirlneeds.co.uk, said: "Everybody has got that one dress which gapes a bit much. They are especially popular with women over 25.

"They are definitely the most popular item on the website now. I have had quite a few husbands buying them for their wives."

Tina Greenaway, from shopping website Prettypinktoes.co.uk, added: "They are becoming more popular. Everybody has always used a safety pin and this is a more glamorous solution."

And Ody Sashoua, founder of Imusthaveit.co.uk, said: "I have stocked modesty panels for a year or two. They are especially popular with women over 60."

However, there probably won't be much need for them for too long, as the monsoons have started setting in.

John Hammond, from the Met office, said: "The weather could be a bit more mixed and unsettled. The temperature may be lower now than it was before but it is pretty near to the average that we would have at this time of year.

"We will still have showers in many areas but then things will start to dry out and temperatures will pick up again."

But despite the return of the sun, there will still be a chance of rain in places, he added.

"There won't be the unbroken sunshine we had recently. It will be sunny but there will be a chance of showers developing, so people should keep a brolly or mac at hand," he said.