Choosing a flattering neckline creates balance and compliments your body shape. Contrary to thought, necklines can make a huge difference to how you look when you step out the door.  By choosing a complimentary neckline you’ll either emphasize a body part or make a body part seem smaller and more discreet. Here’s a guide to determining the neckline that will flatter you on any occasion.

Necklines to Suit Your Shape

We are all beautiful, no matter our shape or size. But knowing what compliments your shape is key to optimizing your look. While our body types matter in choosing the right neckline, so does your neck shape too. Other factors that influence a choice in neckline include shoulder shape, chest size, and torso length.

Choosing Tops to Compliment an Hourglass Shape

If you’re lucky enough to have an hourglass shape, you can wear just about any neckline. Well-fitting clothing with a scooped or V-neckline tends to work best. Often, hourglass shapes are medium to large in bust size, in which case high necklines should be avoided.

Choosing Necklines to Suit a Pear-Shaped Body Type

For those of you who have pear-shaped bodies, you can create a slender look to your hips by drawing attention to your top half.  Off-the-shoulder necklines, boat necklines, and collared necklines are great ways to draw attention to your top and balance out your look. If you’re small-breasted, a high neckline or crew neckline works really well too.

The Best Tops for Square-Shaped Body types

To create more shape and draw in at the waistline, lower necklines such as scooped necklines are a good choice. Also, choose shirts that come in fitted at the waist, such as wrap-around tops.

Choosing a Top for Heart-Shaped Body Types

When your bust is larger than your hips, work on elongating your top half with low necklines, such as V-necklines and wrap tops. You can also look at wearing darker-coloured tops and vertical stripes too. Most importantly, if you are larger in the bust, a well-fitting bra will change your shape completely and is a must-have item with any shirt or dress.

Necklines that Compliment Your Shoulders

For people who have a narrow shoulder line, off-the-shoulder garments can give the appearance of wider shoulders. Strapless tops give the illusion of broader shoulders too.

Broad shoulder lines look great in halter necks and wider-neckline shirts that show off collar bones. Also, a good tip is to reduce the detail around the shoulders if you’re trying to de-emphasize them. And whatever you do, don’t wear tops or jackets that have shoulder pads if you’re broad-shouldered.

Necklines to Suit Your Chest Size

Some large-breasted women want to reduce the appearance of their breasts, while some small-breasted women may want their breasts to appear more full.

High-neck tops and crew necklines make large breasts look like they go on forever, making them larger in appearance than they may actually be. To reduce the appearance of your breasts, choose lower tops such as V-necks and scooped necklines.

On smaller chests, a high neckline will give the appearance of fuller breasts. Turtle necks and crew necks are great options for making the chest appear larger in size.

Necklines to Flatter Your Neck

Many people don’t think about their necks when choosing a shirt. They’re more focused on body type and shoulder width. But if you have a shorter neck, you’ll be able to give it a longer appearance by opting for V-necks, scooped necklines & even square tops.

If you have a longer neck, you can get away with turtle necks, crew lines, and even strapless.

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