Not for Vampires Only: The Scoop on Necklines

by Dani

Once you know the basic silhouette you want for your dress, it’s time to pick the neckline you want for that perfect extra dose of bridal oomph. Here’s a quick-and-dirty rundown.

Asymmetric
This is a neckline with a single strap across the front. It’s a great style if you want to accentuate your shoulders and collarbone.

Bateau
This neckline follows the curve of your collarbone all the way across to your shoulders. It tends to make your bust look fuller, so make sure you’re keeping your look wedding-appropriate.

Halter
This is a great neckline if you’d like to show off your shoulders, upper back and arms. You’ll be leaving them bare, with straps that come up close to fasten behind your neck.

Jewel
This is a conservative round neckline that comes up high around the base of the neck. Sometimes you’ll see light or transparent fabric between the bust and the neckline with this style.

Off-the-shoulder
This is another good line for highlighting your shoulders and collarbone, and it looks great on women with full busts. It swoops across the chest and hits – wait for it – just off the shoulders.

Portrait
This is a lot like the off-the-shoulder style, with a a bit more of a scoop. It’s called a “portrait” neckline because it nicely frames you from the shoulders up.

Queen Anne
This one’s for showing off your elegant neck. It comes up high in back and then dips down below the front of your throat. And yes, it can dip down low enough to show a little cleavage and still look queenly.

Scoop
This is a simple neckline that looks terrific on just about any woman and works well with any style of sleeve. It’s a U-shaped neckline, like a scoop of fabric has been taken out of your dress. In a good way.

Square
The square neckline is another universal flatterer. The neckline is – duh – the bottom half of a square. Those right angles don’t immediately sound pretty, but check out Bette Davis’s party dress in All About Eve and you’ll be a convert. Plus, it can be cut wider to show off more shoulder or lower to catch a little cleavage.

Strapless
You’re going to be stunned to read this: the strapless neckline doesn’t have sleeves or straps. It looks great on women with nice shoulders and full busts.

Sweetheart
This is another neckline that looks good on many different body types. Essentially, the cups over your bust form the top of a heart shape. It’s way nicer than I’ve just described it. It’s also an excellent way to get away with drawing the eye to your cleavage while still looking sweet and innocent.

V-neck
This neckline works especially well with long sleeves. The depth and width of the V can vary widely, depending on the designer and your taste. It looks good on a variety of body types, particularly hourglass figures.

You made it through! Go neck with your groom.

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