Guide to Wedding Dress Necklines - What to Show and When to Show It...
Your mind might be telling you that you'll look great in such and such dress simply because you like it when in truth, there are specific wedding dress necklines for specific body types. Don't think that just because you've got some nice calzones to show off that you, with your body type, should really be showing them off. The guide below, as basic as it is, can give you a pretty good idea as to what to lean towards when selecting the right body neckline for your body type.
Necklines are usually names quite correctly, meaning that their name reflects what the neckline type is (as in Sweetheart - shaped like a heart). Other more obsure names like Bateau and Queene Anne will need to be studied for a bit before you can spot them in window dressings and magazines and the like. Remember, you want to accentuate your strengths, not come out of you very special day of all days looking like a blood sausage! So if you've got collar bones but God "gifted" you with a too-broad set of shoulders, don't think Asymmetric - think Bateau for a general solution. Get it?
Know what to show and when 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 of this as more of "guidelines" to paraphrase a recent famous pirate movie.
Selection Summary Chart:
 |
Asymmetric
This neckline works with a single strap coming across the front and is a very unique style requiring specific taste. It emphasizes the collarbone but should be avoided if you possess broad shoulders.
|
| |
|
 |
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 enhance the chest area (so avoid if you are already well endowed).
|
| |
|
 |
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.
|
| |
|
 |
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.
|
| |
|
 |
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.
|
| |
|
 |
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.
|
| |
|
 |
Queen Anne
The Queen Anne sits high on the back of the neck and opens lower across the front of the neck. Works well for most body types and can help in elongating the figure or displaying a discreet amount of cleavage.
|
| |
|
 |
Scoop
The scoop is just that, a scooping U-shaped neckline design. Works well for most body types and is the best choice among dress designs that are general in most every respect.
|
| |
|
 |
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. Good for most general body types.
|
| |
|
 |
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.
|
| |
|
 |
Sweetheart
This neckline forms a type of heart shape at the bustline. 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.
|
| |
|
 |
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.
|
|
