Guide to Wedding Dress Necklines - What to Show and How to Show It...
Your mind might be telling you that you'll look great in just about any dress you try on but reality tells you that there are specific wedding dress necklines for specific body types. Don't think that just because you've got some nice "parts" to show off that you - with your particular body type - should really be showing these parts off. Our basic guide below can give you a pretty good idea as to what neckline design to lean towards when selecting the right dress you.
Necklines are usually names given self-descriptive names - that is their name generally reflects what the neckline type is ("Sweetheart" = shaped like a heart). Other more obscure names like "Bateau" and "Queen Anne" will need to be studied for a bit before you can spot them on-the-fly in magazines and stores. Remember, as a baseline rule, you want to ne accentuating your strengths and not promoting your weaknesses. So if you've got collar bones to die for but God gifted you with too-broad a shoulder set, don't think Asymmetric - consider Bateau instead for a general solution or a base start.
Know what to show and how you should be showing it. Screenshots below are representative of their graphical selection in our Wedding Dress Creator program available here. Note that these are not hard and fast rules to live by when selecting your neckline - think these more of "guidelines".
But the best thing you can do for yourself is educate yourself and make an informed decision. Consider that now you know more than you did just five minutes ago!
Remember: any and all dresses can be accentuated to your particular liking - consider sashes, ribbons, gloves (both length and color) etc... You really can make the perfect wedding dress if you know what you want.
Selection Summary Chart:
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Asymmetric
This neckline works with a single strap coming across the front (either from the left or right shoulder) and is a very unique style requiring specific taste. It emphasizes the collarbone but should be avoided if you possess broad shoulders. Consider adding some detail to the design such as a flower to direct attention.
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Bateau
This wide top follows the natural curve of your collarbone and is a basic neckline selection. The front and back neck areas are equally and minimally exposed and works well to naturally enhance the chest area (so avoid if you are already well endowed).
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Halter Top
The neckline is down away with in favor of straps that wrap around the back of the neck. This leaves the shoulders and arms bare. Good to use if you are tall and have broad shoulders, otherwise avoid if you have narrow shoulders or are very well endowed.
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Jewel
Jewel necklines follow the curvature of the neck. This neckline works well for women whom want to enhance their chest areas, though a neckline to avoid if you are already well-endowed.
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Off-the-Shoulder
As the name suggests, this neckline sits off the should, below them actually, and accentuates the collarbone and shoulders equally. This is generally a safe neckline selection and works well if you are already well-endowed and/or have a pear-shaped body. You should avoid it is you already have broad shoulders and/or full arms as this neckline would only work to accentuate them further.
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Portrait
Follows the same concept as the Off the Shoulder neckline mentioned previously. The difference here being that a scoop is provided to frame the shoulders and collarbone. A safe selection if you have full arms and prominent collarbones, as this selection will work with them but avoid if your collarbones are hard to see.
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Queen Anne
The Queen Anne sits high on the back of the neck and opens along the lower front of the chest, across the front of the neck. Works well for most body types and can help to elongate a figure or display a discreet amount of cleavage. Styles abound with this type - pictured is our favorite (vavoom!).
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Scoop
The scoop is just that, a downward scooping, U-shaped neckline design. Works well for most body types and is the best choice among dress designs that are "basic" in most every respect. The scoop can stay up high for modesty or come down low for a bit ore excitement.
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Square
As the name suggests, the square neckline fits the shape of half of a full square. Works well for women that are already well-endowed without revealing too much cleavage and a good selection for most general body types.
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Strapless
Strapless gown designs feature neither sleeves nor straps. Works well if you are already well-endowed and/or are blessed with rather beautiful shoulders and noticeable collarbones but you will want to avoid this neckline if you are rather small-chested.
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Sweetheart
This neckline forms a type of heart shape at the bust line. This may or may not be strapless depending on the designer of your dress but works well in accentuating cleavage and if your are already well-endowed.
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V-Neck
A flattering neckline that showcases various body types. The plunge of the V varies depending on the dress designer and works well if you have a chest size of a B or C-cup so avoid if you are an A or over a C-cup size. Works well for full figured women or those possessing the hour glass body shape.
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