The Best Neckline For Your Face and Body Shape
Necklines come and go in popularity. One year the cowl is everywhere; the next, you see boat necks in every store. Knowing which shape flatters your silhouette can be a helpful tool when choosing tops and dresses. Below you will find some proportion tips to help you choose the best neckline for your face and body.
“Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.” – Coco Chanel
Let’s start with your body shape. This post has been very popular, so I’ve updated it with fresh information and links.
Round or apple-shaped figure
The round or apple body shape is narrow on the top and bottom and fuller through the tummy. Your shoulders may be wide, narrow, or rounded, and your backside tends to be flat. Scoop and deep V-necklines are flattering for you because they elongate the look of your torso and draw attention to your face. Turtlenecks will make your bustline look larger.
Triangle body shape
Triangle or pear-shaped figures have narrow shoulders and wide hips. A bateau, square, cowl, and jewel neckline add width to balance your hips. V-necks are universally flattering, but the high, wider versions are most flattering for you because they draw the eye out toward your shoulder.
Inverted triangle
Inverted triangle figures have wide shoulders and narrow hips. They often have flat backsides and little or no waist definition. Cowl, halter, deep scoop, and V-necks can be most flattering on you.
Rectangle body shape
The rectangle body shape is straight up and down with little or no waist definition. Halter, deep scoop, and deeper V-necklines look great on you. Asymmetrical necklines and shawl collars add softness which adds balance to your straight silhouette.
Hourglass figures
The hourglass silhouette is balanced through the shoulders and hips with a well-defined waistline. Crew, scoop, boat, and V necklines are all flattering. Boxy tops are not your friend and make you appear larger than you are.
In addition to body shape, your neck length and face shape also plays a role in your most flattering necklines.
Examples of the best neckline for your face and body shape
Boat or bateau neckline
These look great on women with long necks and faces because they draw the eye horizontally. They help widen the look of narrow shoulders and balance wide hips. Boat necks look great with oval and round faces. They are less flattering on wide shoulders.
MORE BOAT NECK TOPS
V-Neckline
These are universally flattering. They’re especially helpful for women with broad shoulders and short necks because they expose more of your dĆ©Ā·colleĀ·tage, which helps draw the eye up toward your face. This neckline helps petite women look taller and adds visual balance to a pear figure.
Sweetheart neckline
This is almost universally flattering because it lengthens a short neck and provides balance for a square jaw. It creates the illusion of curves and accentuates the bustline in a modest way. The wide neckline helps balance the hips in the hourglass, rectangle, and pear-shaped figures.
Crewneck
Crewnecks draw attention to your face and neck. They can accentuate a large bustline, make your neck look shorter, and make your face appear rounder. The crewneck looks great on a narrow or angular face. They’re less flattering with broad shoulders.
Scoop neckline
A looser, more relaxed version of the crewneck. These elongate a short neck and help balance a long face. A large and long scoop flatters the small bust and short neck. A deeper scoop accentuates a large chest and makes your neck appear longer. Angular faces look great with scoop necklines.
Cowlnecks
Cowlnecks flatter both large and small bustlines and work with most face shapes. Lighter-weight cowlnecks are the easiest to wear because bulky fabrics make your neck look shorter.
MORE COWLNECK TOPS
Turtleneck
These look great with a long neck and face. They accentuate the bustline. Be sure there is space between the top of the neckline and your chin. Double chins are seldom flattered by these:) Turtlenecks can make wide shoulders look wider.
Finding your personal style is often a journey of trial and error. Knowing the most flattering proportions to help balance your silhouette can be a great tool while shopping and save you a lot of time.
Do you have a favorite neckline? I’d love to hear which one and why in the comments.
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident!
A solution for a deep v is to wear a camisole, either color matching or skin color.
This was so helpful. I wear mostly Eileen Fisher and certain items like warm cotton tops (sweatshirt weight) seem to always be round neck. And reading this confirmed itās not a good neckline.
But Iāve never seen that with a V neck. The Tshirt under it often is a V neck. Function or style?
EF does not make many v necks. My favorite find are v neck camisoles which can be few and far between.
Thanks for sharing this post again. It helped me confirm what I should wear to look my best.
Iām glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks Jennifer! Iām curious, how does a jewel neck differ from a crew neck? Very informative post!
A jewel is usually a little wider and deeper than a crew neck.
Hi, Jennifer,
Indeed, this is a great topic and I never thought too much of it, maybe because when you really begin to get older, the mirror shapes your body like never before, and everything we knew about in theory, does not match at all with the new reality, to say nothing about old pictures which should or might be avoided.We should be more careful with our neck choices, for sure!
Thanks for remindind usb!
Mihaela
Sorry,
Love this! Two other things I think affect necklines. 1. Posture: a lot of us have the dreaded computer neck, where we have pushed our heads forward (making crew necks more difficult). If really bad, see a chiropractor. 2. Skin: I think there’s a reason we don’t see many older women in sweatheart necklines. You need a visible collarbone and soft chest skin.
Great point! Posture is so important!
Interesting post. I won’t even consider a cowl neck. The soft, drape-y fit echoes a soft, droopy jawline. I love turtlenecks for the French chic vibe. Deep necklines can reveal too much, but they are sexy. Crew necks layer well, under anything.
Thanks for the information! I always feel disappointed when I buy a crew neck – it just doesn’t look as good on me as a V-neck. And I buy crew necks sometimes because that’s what the stores are offering.
Wow, this helped me so much. I usually go for v neck because of my short neck. I am apple shape, large shoulders, flat hips so I like the monochromatic look. I know now I can buy some cowl necks which I really like. This is a winner post, Jennifer. Thanks so much!! I enjoyed reading the others comments also.
Jennifer, as usual a wonderful and informative post.
I enjoy the comments as well.
Have a blessed day!
The comments are some of the best parts to read on my blog!!
These articles are so helpful Jennifer – thanks for doing them. In the winter, my preferred necklines are bateau and a crew neck (I will add a scarf or necklace with a crew) and a cowl neck for warmth. In the summertime, I tend to wear V’s most of the time. I’m a rectangle shape with a long neck and fairly angular, so asymmetric and straight lines have always appealed to me. But I also like a shawl collar on a coat.
Iām a big fan of shawl collars. Theyāre graceful and look so elegant.
One collar look has been left outāthe collared shirt. I have a long face and have looked best in a collared shirt since girlhood. Next would be mock turtlenecks and crew collars. Iāve always thought I have a horsey face, but according to an article I recently read some women no longer want fillers in their cheeks, but are getting an opposite procedure to get a chiseled look. Hey! At age 74 I already have the look!
I love your attitude! Iāve always wanted a chiseled look š
This is really enlightening. I’m petite with a small face and just a medium neck I guess. I’ve always liked v necks but now I’m kind of worried about how my skin looks. That can be aging for older women so now I just don’t know.