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When you’re looking for your dream wedding dress, ithelps to know the type of necklines available to you. The neckline you choosedepends on several factors, including your body type, personal preferences, thetheme and style of the wedding and even the venue.
Here’s a look at the most popular types of weddingnecklines and how to pick the right one for you.
1- Sweetheart Neckline
Dress with sweetheart neckline by EL Design Studio. Check price here.
Why: To accentuateor flaunt your curves with a romantic style
The sweetheart neckline is one of the most femininestyles and it’s currently the most popular style for bridal gowns. It’s astrapless style that looks like the top of heart, as it curves and dips in thefront. This neckline accentuates the bust and waist, flaunting your curves.
The sweetheart neckline creates the quintessentialbridal silhouette and is a romantic style. It’s commonly paired with ball gowndresses or more body-fitting designs like mermaid and sheath dress styles.
2- V Neck Wedding Gowns
Tulle wedding dress with deep V neckline by Our Stories Bridal. Check price here.
Why: To make youlook slimmer and taller
V-necks are perfect for alaidback, confident look and can make you appear taller and slimmer. Theyaccentuate the cleavage and waist in a classic, stylish way. The V of the dresscan come in various lengths to suit your figure, with deep plunging V necklineslooking very sexy.
V necks are perfect forpetite brides with hourglass or apple body shapes, but for ladies with smallbusts, V necks can emphasise this feature and make the bust look even smaller. V-necksare very versatile necklines, and can go with a range of wedding gownsilhouettes, including column, ball gown or mermaid styles.
3- High Neck
High neck wedding dress by Mywony Bridal. Check price here.
Why: For more coverage and a fashion-forwardclassic look
The high neck is a classy, sophisticated lookingneckline, providing extra coverage to a bride looking for modesty on herwedding day. But beneath the sheer lace and tulle of your bodice, you can alsoshow some skin for an edgy touch.
High necks typically feature a turtleneck-like style,that gathers around the neck like a collar and is secured behind with buttonsor clasps. This neckline emphasizes your neck and shoulders, drawing attentionto your face. It pairs best with a high hairdo for a less busy look.
While not the most popular neckline for weddingdresses, it’s truly fashion-forward and very stylish.
4- Halter Neckline
Halter neck wedding dress by Hannah Tikkanen. Check price here.
Why: To addheight and expose your shoulders in a casual style
Halter necks typically havestraps that can be tied or fastened around the neck to hold the dress up in astylish way. This is a great style if you want to show off your shoulders, butnot ideal if that’s a feature you want to downplay.
Halter necklines aregorgeous with ball gown dresses, and pair well with a deep V-cut front or withbackless dresses. While this style is perfect for tall brides, it also addsheight to a more petite bride.
Halter necks have a morecasual look to them and are perfect for destination weddings or more laid backceremonies.
5- Off-the-Shoulder
Off-the-shoulder gray wedding dress by Budoir Wedding. Check price here.
Why: Highlight your collarbone and neck with thisromantic neckline
Off-the-shoulder weddingdress styles are feminine and romantic, that emphasizes your shoulders,collarbone and neck, drawing attention to your face. This neckline suits almostany wedding dress silhouette making it a very versatile look.
In an off-the-shoulderdress, the straps fall of your shoulders, resting around the top of your armsand depending on the style of the dress, can be dramatic or understated. Thisstyle of neckline is perfect for triangle and hourglass body types.
6- One-Shoulder
One shoulder silk wedding dress by Hanieh Fashion Shop. Check price here.
Why: For a contemporary, asymmetrical look
One shoulder dresses aremodern and fashion-forward looking, featuring a single strap that goes overonly one of your shoulders. This style highlights your collarbone and neck,drawing attention to the upper half of your body. It’s a confident lookingdesign that stands out from the rest of the crowd.
One shoulder wedding gownshave a contemporary and glamorous look to them, and depending on the style ofthe dress can be ultra-modern and formal, or more laid back and romantic.
However, choose thisneckline with caution as it doesn’t complement broad shoulders or large arms. Ifyou want to downplay these aspects of your figure, this isn’t the neckline foryou.
7- Illusion Neckline
Wedding dress with illusion neckline by Devotion Dresses. Check price here.
Why: Embellish your dress with details that standout against your skin
So called because it canbarely be seen against your body, illusion necklines have surged in popularitylately as a versatile, stylish option. Illusion necklines are typically made ofsheer fabric like tulle or lace that often extends close to your neck. Thereason this neckline is so popular is that it allows the designer to getcreative, adding details and embellishments that look like they’re floatingwithout fabric to hold them in place.
Illusion necklines areperfect if you’re looking for a dress with more detail and work. This style ofneckline is ideal for a fashion forward bride who wants a statement look.
8- Cowl Neckline
Cowl neckline wedding dress by Matchimony. Check price here.
Why: A more flowing, relaxed look
This type of necklinefeatures draped or rounded folds around your neck, that fall loosely below yourcollarbone. This is a more casual look for a wedding dress and ideal forrelaxed ceremonies.
The cowl neckline isn’t avery popular style. While it is beautiful when well designed, cowl necklinescan make you look top heavy so it’s important to pick a well-designed dress ifgoing for this style. It’s perfect for petite brides with hourglass or trianglefigures and ideal if you want to downplay your bust.
9- Court Neckline (a.k.a. Square Neckline)
Square neckline wedding dress by Lou Atelier Canada. Check price here.
Why: Elongate your neck and add width to yourshoulders
The court, or square,neckline looks exactly like its name suggests – it features a square shapedneckline with two right angled corners. Square necklines can be deep orshallow, depending on how much coverage you want. It provides a good balancefor dresses with long sleeves but works nicely with smaller straps and capsleeves as well.
The square neckline helps toelongate a shorter neck and can make your shoulders appear broader. However,this neckline tends not to complement brides with square faces.
10- Bateau Neckline
Bateau neckline dress by Victoria Grace Wedding. Check price here.
Why: Emphasize your collarbone curves and neck inthis traditional style
The bateau, also known as aboatneck or Sabrina neckline, is a highly elegant, chic neckline that perfectlycomplements a traditional wedding. This neckline highlights the curve of yourcollarbone and emphasizes your bust, resting just at the top of your shoulders.
The bateau is highlyversatile and looks beautiful with or without sleeves. It’s a favorite forRoyal weddings, as it’s a modest design and works well with sleeves. It waschosen by Meghan Markle on her wedding day.
If, however, you wish todownplay your chest, this might not be the best option as it draws attention tothe area.
11- Scoop Neckline
Scoop neckline bridal top by Wardrobe by Dulcinea. Check price here.
Why: A casual laidback style for a feminine feel
The scoop neckline featuresa low, rounded scoop that gives a feminine, casual look to your dress. Scoopnecklines are perfect for semi-formal or casual wedding ceremonies butdepending on the style and fabrics used, can be a formal dress as well.
This style comes in varyinglengths and can provide you more or less coverage as required. It’s a romanticstyle that gives a flattering look to the bride.
12- Queen Anne Neckline
A version of Queen Anne neckline by Victoria Grace Wedding. Check price here.
Why: A traditional look with a vintage touch
The Queen Anne Neckline is aformal, vintage style that’s recently seen an increase in popularity. It has atraditional, classic look, ideal for a formal wedding.
The neckline features asweetheart cut with two fanning straps that cover the shoulders ending in ahigh collar at the back. It’s a cross between a sweetheart neckline and a widestrap dress. The Queen Anne neckline has many variations and can come in avariety of different lengths and cuts in the front.
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