Types of Necklines

An asymmetrical neckline is a type of neckline on a garment where one side is different from the other. It can be longer or shorter, higher or lower, or have a different shape on one side. It is a design feature that adds visual interest and can flatter different body types.

A boatneck neckline sits on the collarbone, and typically has a wider cut that extends towards the shoulder. This type of neckline is considered a more formal neckline than others. It can be found on dresses, blouses, and tops and it is a flattering style on many body types, but especially those with slender shoulders and small to medium bust. This neckline is also known as bateau neckline.

A cardigan neckline is typically found on cardigan sweaters, hence the name. It is a Jewel- or V-shaped neckline that opens in the front, and is often buttoned or zipped. This neckline style is versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It can be paired with a collared shirt, a camisol, or a t-shirt, and can be worn with dress pants or jeans. It is a popular style for layering.

A collared neckline features a collar around the neck. It is often found on dress shirts, polos, and blouses and can be either buttoned or zipped. The collar is usually made of the same fabric as the rest of the garment, and it can be either attached or a separate piece. It is a classic and formal style, typically worn in professional or business settings, but can also be found on more casual clothing items.

A cowl neckline is a type of neckline that features a draped or folded fabric that creates a soft, rounded shape. The cowl can be either large or small, and is often found on dresses, tops, and sweaters. In sweaters, it can be quite casual. However, a silk or velvet camisole cowl can be more evening or dressed-up. It is a flattering neckline for those who want to accentuate the collarbones, and can add a touch of elegance and femininity to an outfit. A cowl neck is also flattering on shapes that want to camouflage the stomach area as the eye is drawn towards the cowl.

A crew neckline is a round neckline that sits close to the base of the neck, covering the collarbone. It is a classic and versatile neckline often found on T-shirts. The name Crew comes from the style being popular among crew members on boats and ships. It is a simple and timeless neckline, will accentuate your face and shoulders, and best suited for women with small to medium bust, long necks, and wide shoulders.

An envelope neckline features a fold-over flap from the back of the garment that covers the shoulders. Although not common, this neckline gives a unique and stylish look to the garment, can be versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It is a flattering neckline for those who want to add definition to their shoulders.

A gathered neckline features fabric that is gathered at the top of the neckline, creating a full and ruffled appearance. This neckline is often found on dresses, blouses, and tops, and can be created through the use of elastic or a drawstring. The gathers can be small or large, and can be located at the front, back, or sides of the neckline. This neckline can add a touch of volume and movement to an outfit, and can be a flattering option for those who want to draw attention to the top portion of their body. The gathered neckline can be in a variety of styles, from sweet and feminine to bohemian and relaxed depending on the fabric and the way it is gathered. This neckline is also known as peasant neckline.

A grecian neckline, also known as grecian halter, features circular pattern piece that wraps around the neck. The fabric underneath the round piece falls from a small portion in the center of the bust, exposing the collarbones and shoulders. It is a flattering neckline for those who want to accentuate the collarbones. This neckline is typically seen in formal and evening wear.

A halter neckline features straps that tie or fasten behind the neck, leaving the shoulders and upper back exposed. The straps can be thin or wide, and can be connected to the top in a variety of ways, such as a knot, a ring, or a hook. This neckline is often found on dresses, swimsuits, and tops, and is a popular choice for warm weather or beachwear. It is a flattering neckline for those who want to show off their shoulders and upper back.

An illusion neckline features a sheer or transparent fabric that covers the upper chest and shoulders, giving the appearance of a floating neckline. The fabric is typically sheer lace, tulle, or mesh and is often used to add a touch of elegance and femininity to a dress or gown. The illusion neckline can be paired with a variety of different dress styles, including ball gowns, A-line dresses, and sheath dresses. It is often used in wedding dresses and evening gowns to create a unique and sophisticated look.

A jewel neckline is a type of neckline that has a high, round neckline that sits close to the collarbone. It is called a jewel neckline because it is made to show off your necklaces along your collarbone. This style is often seen in business attire and formal wear.

A keyhole neckline is characterized by a small cut-out or opening in the front of the garment, often shaped like a keyhole (but can be either circular, oval, or a tear-shaped one) and is typically located at the base of the neck. It can be a sexy option on evening dresses and, depending on fabric used can create a boho vibe.

A mock neck is characterized by a high, close-fitting collar that covers the neck, similar to a turtleneck but without the folded-over effect. The collar usually stands up and surrounds the neck. This neckline can be found on a variety of garments such as sweaters, dresses, and long-sleeved shirts. It can be a stylish and practical option for colder weather, as it provides extra warmth to the neck and face area. It can also be worn in different occasions, from casual to formal, depending on the material and how it's styled. Mock necks are often considered a classic and versatile style, and it can be flattering for many body types and can create the illusion of height.

An off-shoulder neckline sits below the shoulders and exposes the shoulders and, optionally, upper chest. The off-shoulder neckline is a flattering option for many body types, especially thos who want to create the illusion of wider shoulders. It can be a great option for a formal event or a casual day out. It can also be paired with different types of sleeves like cap sleeves, short sleeves, or even long sleeves. The off-shoulder neckline is also known as Bardot neckline after French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot, who made it popular in the 1950s and 60s.

A one-shoulder neckline is characterized by a single strap or sleeve on one side of the shoulder, while the other side is left bare. It creates an illusion of a longer neck and draws attention to the bare shoulder. Similar to off-shoulder, one shoulder garments can have different types of sleeves.

Named after the 18th century British queen, the Queen Anne neckline has either a sweetheart or curved neckline with straps or sleeves that curve up around the back of the neck. This neckline is especially popular in wedding dresses. It is a great option for those with smaller shoulders as it creates an illusion of a stronger shoulder line.

A ruffled neckline is characterized by a decorative edge made of a series of gathered or pleated fabric, resembling a frilly or fluffy edge around the neckline. This type of neckline can be created by adding a separate ruffle piece to the edge of the neckline or by gathering or pleating the fabric itself. It's a great option for those wanting to draw attention to the upper half of their body.

A scalloped neckline is characterized by a decorative edge made of a series of small, curved shapes, resembling the shape of a scallop shell. The scallops can be sewn or embroidered on the edge of the neckline and can also be found on sleeves, hemlines or other parts of the garment. Because of the clean shapes, it can have a very elegant and classic feel.

A scoop neckline is characterized by a curved, semicircular shape that creates an open and rounded opening at the front of the garment. Scoop neckline dips further than a jewel or crewneck. It has different variations. The small scoop neck typically does not highlight your cleavage, so it can also be a good option for casual affairs or the office. The more traditional shape scoop hits just above your bust area and can show some cleavage. This neckline is great to highlight your collarbone and subtly show off your bust. Scoop necks are great for women with small to large bust; athletic, pear, hourglass, and petite shapes; shorter neck or decolletage.

A square neckline is characterized by a straight, angular shape that creates a square-like opening at the front of the garment. The square neck neckline can be a flattering option for many body types as it can create the illusion of a defined collarbone and shoulder line. It can be dressed up or down and is a great option for a formal event or a casual day out. It can also be paired with different types of sleeves like cap sleeves, short sleeves, or even long sleeves.

A spaghetti strap neckline is characterized by thin, narrow straps that support the bodice of the garment. These straps are usually made of the same material as the garment and are often referred to as spaghetti straps because of their resemblance to thin spaghetti noodles. The bodice can have varying shapes from v-neck, sweetheart, or rounded shapes along the bust, and it can be made in a variety of fabrics. This neckline is often found on dresses, tops and camisoles, and is a great option for warm weather or for layering under other clothing. It can be a good option for women with a smaller bust and it can create the illusion of wider shoulders.

A strapless neckline does not have straps or sleeves, and is held up on the wearer's shoulders by the bodice of the garment. It can be cut in different ways - straight across the body or in a sweetheart neck fashion.This neckline is often found on dresses, gowns and can be a stylish and elegant option. A strapless neckline is a great option for women who want to show off their shoulders and arms. It can also be a good option for women with a larger bust as it can help to lift and support the bust.

A surplice neckline is characterized by a deep V-shape that creates a wrap-like effect. The surplice neckline is created by overlapping one side of the fabric over the other and fastening it at the shoulder or waist. The surplice neckline can be a flattering option for many body types as it can create the illusion of a defined waistline and it can also draw attention to the face and collarbone. It is also a great option for women who are looking to conceal a tummy area as it can create a diagonal line that can be slimming. The surplice neckline can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion and it can be a great choice for a formal event or a casual night out.

A sweetheart neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart. The neckline dips down in the center to form a curved shape that mimics the top of a heart, and then rises back up to the straps or shoulders. This neckline is often found on dresses and tops, and it can be a romantic and feminine option. The sweetheart neckline can be a flattering option for many body types, particularly for those with a smaller bust, as it can create the illusion of cleavage. It can also be a good option for women with a larger bust, as it can help to lift and support the bust while still being a stylish option. The sweetheart neckline can be a great choice for formal occasions such as weddings or proms and can be dressed up or down depending on the event.

A turtleneck covers the entire neck. It is often made of a high-necked, close-fitting collar that folds over itself to create a thick, "tubular" look around the neck. Turtlenecks are usually made of stretchy, knit fabrics that can be worn as a standalone garment or as a layer under other clothing. This neckline can be found on a variety of garments such as sweaters and dresses. They can be a stylish and practical option for colder weather, as it provides extra warmth to the neck and face area. It can also be worn in different occasions, from casual to formal, depending on the material and how it's styled. Turtlenecks are known to be flattering for people with long necks and can create the illusion of height.

A U neckline is a type of neckline that is cut in the shape of the letter U.  It is a wider necked, scooped neckline that typically sits low on the chest, revealing the collarbone and upper chest. This neckline is often used on blouses, dresses, and tops, and it can be found in a variety of styles from casual to formal. The U neckline is a flattering option for those with round or square face shapes, as it helps to elongate the face and can also draw attention to the collarbones. It also tends to be a good option for those with larger busts, as it allows for more coverage and can create a more balanced look.

A V neckline is shaped like the letter V, with the point of the V sitting at the center of the collarbone. The depth of the V can vary, with some V necklines being relatively shallow, while others can be quite deep. This neckline can be found on a variety of garments such as dresses, blouses, sweaters, and Tshirts. It is a classic and versatile neckline that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. It can be flattering for many body types as it elongates the neck, and it can also draw attention to the face and collarbone. This neckline visually elongates the body, so it is the choice neckline for petites.

A plunging V neckline dips below the chest line, forming a V shape. The point of the V can vary in depth, with some plunging V necklines reaching the wearer belly button. This neckline is often seen on evening dresses, blouses, and tops. A plunging V neckline can look good on a variety of body shapes. Women with a larger bust may find that a plunging V neckline helps to balance their proportions and draw attention to their face. Women with a smaller bust may also find that a plunging V neckline can create the illusion of a fuller chest.Women with hourglass figures often have a well defined waist, which can be highlighted with a plunging V neckline. Women with a pear shaped body type may also find that a plunging V neckline can help to balance out their proportions, as it can draw attention upwards.This neckline is also known as décolleté neckline.