There are a number of factors that determine the success of a garment. Without a doubt its Neckline is one of the most important.
Most of us do not choose the neckline of a garment in isolation. We look at the style, fabric, colour etc and then the neckline. But we forget that the neckline of the bodice frames your face and accentuates its features and is the first thing others see, mostly, when they look at you ( arguably).
It can turn a so-so garment into one that is stunning, provided it is the right one for you
The choice of neckline is dependant on many factors like the shape of the face, shoulders, size of the bust, the bust line, neck type and above all the body shape of the wearer.
Just as the way we consider all the above mentioned factors when choosing a neckline, a neckline in turn makes all these features look good – like the face, shoulders, bustline and the whole body shape, don’t you think so?
Related Post : How to choose the best neckline design for you?
If you are convinced about the argument that a neckline can make or break a garment, let us look at the 30 plus basic styles of necklines available and then the 30 plus variations of these basic neckline styles
Checkout the post on drafting necklines to design necklines for clothes you sew.
The main types of neckline styles
- 1 Crew Neckline
- 2 Jewel Neckline
- 3 U neckline
- 4 Square Neckline
- 5 V neckline
- 6 Boat Neckline / Bateau
- 7 Scoop neckline
- 8 Collared neckline
- 9 Gathered neckline
- 10 Strapless Neckline
- 11 Cowl neckline
- 12 Diamond neckline
- 13 Keyhole neckline
- 14 Sweet heart neckline
- 15 Offshoulder neckline
- 16 Halter neckline
- 17 Ruffled neckline
- 18 Wide square neckline / Florentine neckline
- 19 Halter neckline with straps
- 20 Envelop neckline
- 21 Strap neckline
- 22 Decollete neckline
- 23 One shoulder neckline
- 24 Paperbag neckline
- 25 Queen Elizabeth neckline
- 26 Court neckline
- 27 Horse shoe neckline
- 28 Racerback neckline
- 29 Queen Ann Neckline
- 30 Wide square neckline
- 31 Mitered square Neckline
- 32 Scallop neckline
- 35 Slash Neckline / Slit neckline
- 36 Asymmetrical neckline
- 37 Illusion neckline
- 38 Cardigan Neckline
- 40 Yoke Neckline
- 41 Banded Neckline
- 42 Bib neckline
1 Crew Neckline
It is a round neckline which sits close to the neck, typically seen in t-shirts. It usually ends above the collarbone and usually has a band around it. It is not a suitable neckline for a stocky figure with short neck, as it will make the neck closed in, or a person with a very large bust or a person with narrow shoulders. A person with thin long neck can look good in the neckline.
2 Jewel Neckline
A slightly lower round neckline, this is a very most common neckline seen in dresses, tops . Named jewel neckline, because the neckline lies where a necklace is worn. It is confused with the crew neck as it is almost similar.
3 U neckline
A neckline shaped like a U, this is a universally liked neckline.The neckline will be as wide as the base of the neck
4 Square Neckline
5 V neckline
It is an almost perfect neckline that will look good on most everybody, as far as I have seen, but for an apple body shape, it is a life saver. This neckline can elongate the body, so it is the choice neckline for people who are short.Check out the 6 ways you can stitch a V-neck on to your dress/top
6 Boat Neckline / Bateau
This neckline is also called Bateau neckline. It is a wide neckline which almost reaches the shoulder line and sits very close to the neck, high in front and back. It emphasizes the bustline so for most people this is a flattering style. But for those who want to play down the bust do not choose this one. It is a good neck design to choose with a pear shaped body ( and with a small bust).
7 Scoop neckline
This is a deep U neckline which is wider than the base of the neck. It is suitable to almost all body shapes, face shapes, depending on the depth of the neckline.
Most of the body flaws can be camouflaged by this neckline – for example a too wide shoulder can be de-emphasized with this neckline; it can make a short neck look elongated.
8 Collared neckline
Different kinds of collars can be added to the neckline. Checkout the 50 plus different types of collars you can add to your neckline. A collared neckline can come with a buttoned placket or without.
9 Gathered neckline
The neckline is gathered around the neck with a plain band or an elasticized casing or a drawstring casing. It usually has a v neck or a u neckline with either, ruching, gathering or casing done to contain the fullness around the neck.This is a neckline you should not choose if you do not want to bring attention to the top portion of your body. As there is fullness here, decide for yourself, if you want this on the top bodice. Also called a peasant neckline
10 Strapless Neckline
A strapless neckline can be cut in different ways . it can be cut straight across the body or in a sweet heart neck fashion
11 Cowl neckline
12 Diamond neckline
13 Keyhole neckline
This neckline has an opening just under the edge – either a circular one, oval one or a tear shaped one
14 Sweet heart neckline
This is a very appealing neckline, with the lower portion of the neckline looking like the top portion of a heart
15 Offshoulder neckline
This neckline is also called a Bradot neckline. A very feminine neckline which brings attention to the shoulders and neck. For those with slender shoulders, this can look very appealing.
16 Halter neckline
17 Ruffled neckline
18 Wide square neckline / Florentine neckline
As the name suggests this is a very wide angular or square neckline – though modest
19 Halter neckline with straps
20 Envelop neckline
21 Strap neckline
22 Decollete neckline
A decollete neckline is a very deep neckline. It is also referred as a plunging neckline, when it is very deep. It is a revealing neckline going past the cleavage. Sometimes it is also cut very wide at the shoulders
23 One shoulder neckline
This is an asymmetrical neckline with only one shoulder
24 Paperbag neckline
25 Queen Elizabeth neckline
26 Court neckline
27 Horse shoe neckline
28 Racerback neckline
29 Queen Ann Neckline
This neckline has a high neck in the back of the bodice but for the front it features a sweet heart neckline style
30 Wide square neckline
31 Mitered square Neckline
32 Scallop neckline
Scallops edge the neckline. The scallops can be facing the neck or the bodice. Checkout the 5 ways to make this scalloped edge
33 Sabrina neckline
A sabrina neckline is a variation to the boat neckline. It is slightly lower than the boat neckline. This neckline is usually mirrored on the back of the bodice as well. It is a very common neckline for wedding gowns. This neckline sometimes features ties at the shoulders to keep it in place
34 Funnel Neckline
This is a high neckline that sits upwards towards the neck , cut as one with the garment
35 Slash Neckline / Slit neckline
This neckline has a narrow vertical opening in the front ( maybe in the back also)
36 Asymmetrical neckline
37 Illusion neckline
An illusion neckline has a see through portion near the neckline – like lace or net.
38 Cardigan Neckline
Neckline with a Jewel or V-neck combined with a button up opening in the front like in a cardigan
39. Surplice neckline
The type of neckline that wraps and forms a V neckline
40 Yoke Neckline
In this type of neckline the top portion of the garment including the neckline is a separate piece. The seam of the yoke can start at the armhole or above the bustline and can be shaped curved straight or diagonal.
41 Banded Neckline
This neckline will have a seperate piece of fabric finishing and framing the neckline as well as the opening
42 Bib neckline
This neckline consists of a set in piece at the centre front of the bodice. The lower portion of this bib like piece will be either straight or curved
The basic neckline styles are good enough; we all have used some of them at some point in our clothes. But if you want some more variations these necklines can be looked at.
Many many other variations and styles of necklines are there, ofcourse, but I leave it to your creativity to conceive them at your leisure
Happy sewing
Related post: 50+ neck design ideas for salwar suits/ churidar/ Panjabi suits.
Comments 30
Beautiful job, thanks a million;
Author
Thank you Vicky
Thank you for this lesson on the different types of necklines. Your site is very detailed and highly informative. Keep up the wonderful work! ✔️✅
Thankyou so mich for this site it has become my go-to for all things sewing you explain everything in such easy to understand terms
Author
Hi Suzanne
Thank you for the encouraging comment
Thanks for your information about the different neckline, but please can I get information about how to cut all the necklines?
Beautiful piece! I found it very helpful and I am grateful to you for the job well-done.
Gracias por compartir tus conocimientos de costura. Siempre me ha gustado hacerle un retoque especial a blusas o vestidos. Ahora con este material le sacaré el máximo provecho. Saludos.
Author
Hi Arod
Thanks for leaving the comment – so glad you found it helpful
Nice work done. Four stars. Can you form a whatapp group for easy access.
Wow. This is quite apt. I feel like I have been gifted a gold mine. Many thanks for this post. Remain blessed.
Author
Hi Margaret
That sounds great; thanks for the comment
Hi Sarina, would you recommend a great pattern drafting books for necklines and collars? Thanks.
Sew-guide, the day I stumbled on your site, I fell in love with it immediately. It gives me everything I need for my tailoring career. I hope to be a professional fashion designer soon.Thank you so much for being my inspiration.
Author
Hey Lilian
You just made my day. Thanks for the words. Best wishes for your future – it is an exciting career choice
lot of thanks for you!you are so kind .really its will be very helpfull developing my knowleadge and skills.
Author
Hi Ursula
Glad you found it helpful. THanks for the comment
This is helpful to me
Why haven’t you described every single neckline?
thanks a lot for this knowledge.
Author
Thanks for reading and commenting
Amazing. Very helpful.
Very expository write up.well-done Sarina
Author
Thank you Oluwaseun
This post has been of help…tnx a mill
Author
Thanks for reading
I have being able to know about different types of necks from you and am so impressed. Very kind of u.Many thanks.
Author
Hi Kenny
Glad to know that this post has been of help
I am happy to get necessary knowledge about necklines from you, they are really helpful……..,Thank you so much…….
Author
Thanks for reading and commenting