SHE was too sexy for her shirts, so sexy it hurt - her career, court papers say.

A curvy New York City woman said she was forced out of her job at Citibank because her male co-workers found her figure "too distracting",

Debrahlee Lorenzana said she was dressing professionally on the job, but her male bosses and co-workers still found her too hot to be around.

Ms Lorenzana "complained to management, pointing out that other female colleagues wore similar professional attire" and that some dressed far more provocatively, her court filing said.

She was also told that "as a result of her tall stature, coupled with her curvaceous figure, she should not wear classic high heeled business shoes, as this purportedly drew attention to her body in a manner that was upsetting to her easily distracted male managers".

Ms Lorenzana's gender discrimination suit was dismissed last month because her deal with Citibank called for any disputes to be settled in private arbitration. She's pressing on with her case there.