Necklines - the complete illustrated fashion guide to women's clothing necklines

Necklines - the complete illustrated fashion guide to women's clothing necklines

About women's clothing necklines

The following describe and illustrate a variety of necklines used in women's clothing. These terms are often used in Ivy and Pearl Boutique apparel descriptions. Note that some necklines may overlap with others or be considered a subset of another neckline.

Asymmetrical neckline

An asymmetrical neckline is one that looks different on either side. This could be because it is cut differently or because one side is folded down.

Banded neckline

Banded neckline
Banded neckline
Banded neckline

A banded neckline is a flat, shaped narrow band finish neckline with a front opening.

Bib neckline

Bib neckline
Bib neckline
Bib neckline

A front center portion of a garment, usually oval or square. It may be set into a blouse or dress below the neckline or extend upward from the waist of the pants of skirt.

Boat neckline

Boat neckline
Boat neckline
Boat neckline

A wide horizontal neckline, high in front and back. Often referred to as a bateau neckline. It reaches nearly to the shoulder line but sits close to the neck. Wider but not as deep as a scoop neckline. The boat neck can balance a fuller midsection by drawing the eyes to the shoulders. Works best for those with small to medium bust, pear shapes, and slender shoulders.

Camisole neckline

Camisole neckline
Camisole neckline
Camisole neckline

A camisole neckline falls just above the bustline and is held by straps over the shoulder. The strap width may vary from very narrow (spaghetti) to very wide.

Cardigan neckline

Cardigan neckline
Cardigan neckline
Cardigan neckline

A jewel or V-neckline that opens in the front, usually with buttons along the center.

Collared or Button-Up neckline

Collared neckline

A neckline that features one of dozens of different collar types. It's a classic neckline that works for all body types but works best for those with small to medium busts, small to wide shoulders, and pear or curvy shapes.

Cowl neckline

Cowl neckline
Cowl neckline
Cowl neckline

A cowl neckline is a draped neckline resulting from a bias cut with excess fabric forming soft folds in the front or back of the garment.

Crew neckline

Crew neckline

A round neckline that sits close to the neck. Commonly seen in T-Shirts and usually has a band around it. Crew necklines accentuate the face and shoulders and work best for those with small to medium busts, long necks, or wide shoulders.

Crossover neckline

Crossover neckline
Crossover neckline

A crossover neckline features straps or cutouts that make a crossover-pattern in the front or rear of the neckline.

Decollete neckline

Decollete neckline
Decollete neckline
Decollete neckline

A decollete neckline is any neckline that is cut very low in front. It often refers to a wide, gently curving deep V neckline. It can also be called a plunging neckline but typically is not cut quite as far down as a plunging neckline.

Florentine neckline

Florentine neckline
Florentine neckline
Florentine neckline

A moderately low neckline but very wide and angular.

Funnel neckline

Funnel neckline
Funnel neckline
Funnel neckline

A high neckline cut in one with the garment by slanting or curving the shoulder seams upward towards the neck. They are often referred to as built-up necklines.

Gathered neckline

Gathered neckline
Gathered neckline
Gathered neckline

A gathered neckline is a full neckline drawn close to the neck. It may be adjusted or gathered with a drawstring, cord, or elastic. Often referred to as a drawstring, peasant, or gypsy neckline.

Halter neckline

Halter neckline
Halter neckline
Halter neckline
Halter neckline

A sleeveless neckline with the front of the garment held around the back of the neck by a band extending from the front. Halter necklines draw the eyes upward and work best for those with medium to full busts, wide shoulders, and straight or hourglass midsections.

Horseshoe neckline

Horseshoe neckline
Horseshoe neckline

A low rounded curved neckline, shaped like a horseshoe in front.

Jewel neckline

Jewel neckline
Jewel neckline

A high, round neckline located at the base of the neck, usually plain. it is circular and without a collar. It is usually wider and deeper than a Crew neck while still maintaining its circular shape. A very common neckline seen in dresses and tops named because the neckline follows where a necklace would lay.

Keyhole neckline

Keyhole neckline
Keyhole neckline

A high neckline with an opening cut out at the front. The opening can be round, oval, tear, or wedge shaped.

Off-the-shoulder or Off-shoulder (Bardot) neckline

Off-the-shoulder or Off-shoulder neckline
Off the shoulder neckline

Also called a Bardot neckline. An open shoulder neckline is a low neckline extending around the upper part of the arms, baring the shoulders. A bardot neckline draws the eye to the shoulders and works best for those with small to medium busts, slender or narrow shoulders, and virtually any shape (pear, athletic, petite, hourglass).

One-shoulder neckline

One-shoulder neckline
One shoulder neckline
One shoulder neckline

This is an asymmetric neckline starting over one shoulder and extending diagonally to and under the other arm. Sometimes referred to as a asymmetric neckline.

Plunging neckline

Plunging neckline
Plunging neckline
Plunging neckline

A plunging neckline is a low-cut neckline, usually V-shaped. It extends to the level of the breast or to the waist. It is lower than a decollate neckline.

Racerback neckline

Racerback neckline

A racerback neckline features shoulder straps that are joined between the shoulder blades.

Sabrina neckline

Sabrina neckline

A wide horizontal neckline, a variation of the boat neckline but not as high as a boat neckline. They are sometimes fastened to the shoulders.

Scoop neckline

Scoop neckline
Scoop neckline

Scoop necklines are a deep U-neckline. They are medium low in front, rounded, and wider than the base of the neck. A Scoop neckline can elongate a short or thick neck. Work great for those with narrow shoulders (gives illusion of longer and wider look), hourglass shapes, and anyone who wants to create an illusion of a larger bust.

Slash or Slit neckline

Slit neckline
Slit neckline

Slit necklines have narrow vertical openings in the neckline. The slit may be in the front or back. It may be held closed with a button or other types of fasteners

Spaghetti Straps neckline

Spaghetti strap neckline

Spaghetti strap necklines feature very thin shoulder straps used to support the top while providing minimal shoulder straps leaving the shoulders bare. They are also referred to as noodle straps.

Square neckline

Square neckline
Square neckline

A moderately low-cut neckline that is square or angular in front. A square neckline creates a longer, leaner silhouette. They are great for women with large busts because they expose shoulders without revealing too much cleavage. They work great for those with round faces (balances out the roundness), pear shapes (makes the shoulders appear broader), or short necks (elongates the upper body).

Strapless neckline

Strapless neckline
Strapless neckline

This neckline falls just above the bust. It may be held in place by darts and fitting, boning, elastic, or shirring. Since it shows skin around the neck and arms area, strapless necklines look most flattering on women who have wide shoulders and a small bustline. Works well for those with long necks, well-toned arms, and great shoulders.

Surplice neckline

Surplice neckline
Surplice neckline

A surplice neckline is a neckline that wraps forming a V-neckline in the front or back.

Sweetheart neckline

Sweetheart neckline
Sweetheart neckline
Sweetheart neckline

A sweetheart neckline is lowered in the front and shaped like the top of a heart. The sweetheart neckline works great for those with large breasts since it provides considerable coverage. This neckline also elongates the face and provides balance to the overall silhouette. Works well for those with short chins or necks, angular faces, and petite women with small breasts and narrow shoulders (shows more curves).

Tank or tank top neckline

Tank top neckline

Tank top necklines are similar to spaghetti strap necklines but with larger straps. The large neckline is identical to a scoop neckline but is usually accompanied by large armholes that can reach down as far as the bottom of the chest.

Turtleneck neckline

Turtleneck neckline

A turtleneck neckline, also called a polo neckline or roll-neck, is a close-fitting, round, and high collar that folds over and covers the neck. Turtlenecks whittle away height making them great for those looking to offset a long neck or face. They also work great for those with small chests (benefits from the higher neckline) and narrow shoulders.

U-neckline (U-Shaped neckline)

U-neckline
U-Shaped neckline (U-neckline)
U-Shaped neckline (U-neckline)

U-necklines are medium low in front, rounded, and the same width as the base of the neck. Similar to a scoop neckline but falls further and is more U-shaped.

V-neckline

V-neckline
V-Shaped neckline V-neckline)

V-necklines are cut down in front or back to form a sharp v-shaped point. They give a vertical impression to the outfit and can create a leaner, taller silhouette while drawing the eyes upward. V-necks are a great neckline for those with broad shoulders, thick mid-sections, or short necks.

Yoke neckline

Yoke neckline
Yoke neckline
Yoke neckline

A yoke neckline is a separate portion of the garment in the shoulder and neckline area with a seamline attaching yoke to the lower portion. It may be straight, horizontal, angled, or curved.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.