Is your fashion conscious daughter baring too much skin?  Here’s how one family is working it out.

Connie: “Carly was wearing what I call belly shirts—tank tops with the little straps and no sleeves.  Sometimes her belly button would show, and her bra straps, too.  I knew it was the fashion, but I really didn’t want those straps hanging out.”

Carly: “Even though my mother saw it as a problem, I didn’t.  I feel comfortable in my tank tops.  I like them.  All my friends wear them.  I didn’t think it would be fair if I wasn’t allowed to wear them, too.”

Connie: “She wanted to be able to wear tank tops, and I agree, they are cute.  Finally, it was Carly who came up with our solution.  We decided she could wear them with something over them—a sweater, a sweatshirt, or another shirt.”

Carly: “Yes, it was my idea.  I had a lot of zippered sweatshirts I really liked.  So I figured, if I’m not allowed to wear a tank top alone, I’ll wear it with a shirt over it.”

Connie: “During the summer, she wears light, gauzy blouses on top. Plus, we bought Carly some tank tops with built-in bras and some strapless bras, which look much better.  I know she takes her sweatshirts off sometimes, but I’m still more relaxed about it all.”

Carly: “My mom has realized that a bra strap isn’t so terrible—it’s just a little strap.”

Connie: “When I was growing up, it was devastating to have bra straps showing.  Now its O.K. to walk around in a black tank top with yellow bra straps sticking out!”

Carly: “I understand how my mom feels.  I don’t think it’s embarrassing, but she does.  Our school has a dress code about tank tops, too, even though it’s not strictly enforced.  My friends and I realize that some adults are not comfortable with today’s fashions.”

Connie: “Neither of us feels too annoyed with this solution.  It’s a good compromise on both sides.