How to Choose the Right Neckline

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Rate: (8 Ratings)

Choosing the right neckline is like a little review in geometry. But forget the pop quiz - use this new tool to balance your figure and enhance your face.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Consider your options. You're familiar with V necks, turtlenecks, mock turtlenecks and crew necks, but jewel necks (tight crew neck that slightly creeps up the neck), scoop necks (a "u" shape from collar bones), square necks (right angles from collar bones) and boat necks (very open neck slicing across collar bones) can enhance various faces and figures.
Step2
Choose boat necks and jewel necks to flatter a heart-shaped face, and turtlenecks and jewel necks to compliment a long face. Balance a wide, round face with scoop necks, V necks, square necks and mock turtlenecks.
Step3
Soften broad shoulders with a V neck or plunging neckline, which will draw attention away from the shoulders. Minimize a large bustline with open-collared shirts and V necks. Enhance a small bustline with boat neck and jewel neck styles.
Step4
Wear an attractive scoop or V-necked sweater to make a short neck appear longer. Remember that this look will expose a double chin, which is best concealed with a turtleneck.
Step5
Opt for a more conservative neckline on the job, and save your more revealing looks for a night out on the town.

Tips & Warnings

  • The lower the neckline, the sexier it may appear.
  • Fashion is fickle. If you find a set of necklines that look good on you, stock up! Square necks, mock turtlenecks, scoop necks and jewel neck tops often cycle in and out of fashion.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 With V-line necklines, a medium length necklace with a small locket or diamond looks pretty good. I usually wear a shiny, silver, chained necklace with a small diamond when I wear V-lines.
Square necklines looks great with chokers. Be careful though, if you have a shorter neck, this will really show how short it is. If I'm wearing a patterned square neckline top, I'll usually go for a plain black choker and vice versa.
Scoop necklines actually look good with no necklace. I would wear a scoop neck top if I was having a good skin day, as it's good for showing off that area. Spritz a little musk perfume around your neckline when you're wearing scoop neckline tops - a pretty scent can make anyone seem so much more attractive.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Do NOT wear turtleneck shirts
with a double or triple chin.
It looks like you have no neck
at all.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 To hide the appearance of a broad neck, wear scarves around the neck. This will give the appearance of a slimmer neck. Also, polo T-shirts or shirts will collars also give an appearance of a slimmer neck.
Another thing is that if you have shoulder length or longer hair and you wear it down, then you should bring the hair locks in front rather than pushing them behind your shoulders. The hair will hide the side of the neck in that way.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 Turtlenecks emphasize a double chin. The horizontal line draws attention to the area. Instead, try a V-neck top with a bold necklace. This will draw the eye away from the neck area as well as elongate.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 The sweetheart neckline, which is actually shaped like the top half of a heart, is a wonderful option for fuller-chested women because it really accentuates the décolletage. The sweetheart is often done with an overlay of sheer material that rises higher than the heart shape, giving the torso a longer line and also making the neck look longer.
Good for: Serious décolletage
Bad for: The décolletage-impaired

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eHow Article:  How to Choose the Right Neckline

eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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