Choosing the Best Neckline For Your Body

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Do you have prominent collarbones? Are your shoulders square? And how about your neck, is it just a little bit shorter than you’d like? The size of your bust isn’t the only factor that dictates what neckline you should wear, so to help you find a flawless fit, here’s a glossary of terms from A-Z.

Asymmetrical

(Courtesy moniquelhuillier.com)

– The good: It emphasises collarbones and gives narrow shoulders width.
– The bad: Avoid if your shoulders are square or fairly well-built (this is for all the swimmers out there!).

Bateau or Boat

It’s a wide style that extends to your shoulder tips, and it has a shallow scoop that follows the curve of your collarbone.

(Courtesy weddinginspirasi.com)

– The good: A must for small busts, tall brides, and those with slim or sloping shoulders. It also balances out hips for the pear and hourglass figures.
– The bad: This doesn’t complement apple silhouettes, a short neck, or a strong, defined jaw.

Cowl

To create the cowl, you need excess fabric that hangs loosely from the neck, forming soft drapes down the front or back of the dress.

Halter

The main feature of this pattern is that the straps fasten around the bride’s neck, and it’s often backless or has a low back.

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– The good: It shrinks large shoulders, boosts a small cup size, highlights toned arms and suits lanky brides.
– The bad: Don’t select it if you need strong bra support or have slim shoulders.

High Neck

Like a choker, this collar reaches up the side of the neck, giving a more formal, demure look. It’s customarily a strapless dress, with a panel of lace or chiffon that covers you, but doesn’t conceal you.

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– The good: If you have small to average breasts, you can carry off the high neck.
– The bad: Accentuates a round face and a thicker neck.

Jewel

Similar to a T-shirt, the jewel is simple, round and sits at the base of your throat.

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– The good: Pick this if you’re above average height, have a thin neck and you’ve embraced your A cup size.
– The bad: Sidestep the jewel if you have full arms, a chubby neck, and you generously full a bra.

Off the Shoulder

It’s the epitome of romance, where the straps fall just below the shoulders, highlighting your collarbones and framing your face.

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– The good: Excellent for the pear silhouette, and a well-endowed woman.
– The bad: Makes a small chest look flatter (yes, that’s possible!), and won’t conceal plump arms or the size of your shoulders.

Portrait

This falls between the off-the-shoulder and the bateau, where the straps are on the points of your shoulders, and it has a soft scoop neckline.

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– The good: Highlights your collarbones and balances out bigger hips.
– The bad: Women who are conscious about their arms shouldn’t wear this option as it highlights your bare arms along with your neck.

Queen Anne

With regal roots, it has a high collar, and the neckline usually looks like a cut-out diamond.

(Courtesy sinceritybridal.com)

– The good: It minimises a round face and can be worn if you have wide or narrow shoulders.
– The bad: Not ideal for a tall bride.

Scoop

A scoop is simple and versatile, and the U-shape can extend to different depths, depending on what you find comfortable.

(Courtesy theweddingscoop.com)

– The good: Complements most women, and it disguises heavy arms.
– The bad: Makes a long neck look giraffesque, and should be avoided by flat-chested women.

Square

As the name suggests, it lies straight across the upper torso, where it joins vertical sleeves to create the bottom of a square.

(Courtesy labeautes.com)

– The good: It’s the right look for a pear, it thins a round face and befits an ample bosom.
– The bad: Don’t pick this if you already have boxy or broad shoulders.

Strapless

This is the most common type of wedding dress, and the edge runs across the décolletage, revealing plenty of skin.

(Courtesy  weddinginspirasi.com)

– The good: Show off your toned arms, defined collarbones and elegant neck.
– The bad: Can make short brides stumpy, draws attention to powerful arms, won’t easily support a full bust and it’s not the best decision if you have barely ‘there’ breasts.

Sweetheart

It’s a romantic cut that resembles the top of a heart, and it looks gorgeous on most women. 

(Courtesy citizensoffashion.com)

– The good: It’s best friends with your cleavage, elongates your neck and it’s a popular choice for curvy brides.
– The bad: If you’re don’t want eyes on said cleavage, avoid the sweetheart.

V- Neck

Regarded as universally flattering, this neckline dips to a V in the front, which can be shallow or deep, depending on your preference.

– The good: It slims apple and hourglass shapes, benefits all breast sizes, trims shoulders and creates a leaner figure.
– The bad: Don’t choose this if you’re conscious about your cup size – whether big or small – or your neck.

Your dream wedding dress must highlight all your favourite assets, and also shrewdly conceal what you don’t want to emphasise. It’s essential to have a style, shape and colour that suits you, but you also need the right neckline. Now that you know your jewel from your cowl, you’re one step closer to finding your perfect dress.