Several factors determine the success of a garment. Without a doubt, its Neckline is one of the most important. Do you know the names of necklines on your clothes?.
Most of us do not choose the neckline of a garment in isolation. We look at the style, fabric, color, 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).
The correct neckline design can turn a so-so garment into one that is stunning, provided it is the right one for you
The choice of the 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.
Main types of necklines
In this article I will cover:
- Main types of necklines
- Crew Neckline
- Jewel Neckline
- U neckline
- Square Neckline
- V neckline
- Boat Neckline / Bateau
- Scoop neckline
- Collared neckline
- Band collar necklines
- Gathered neckline
- Strapless Neckline
- Cowl neckline
- Diamond neckline
- Keyhole neckline
- Sweet heart neckline
- Off shoulder neckline
- Halter neckline
- Ruffled neckline
- Wide square neckline
- Halter neckline with straps
- Envelop neckline
- Strap neckline
- Décolleté neckline
- One shoulder neckline
- Paper bag neckline
- Queen Elizabeth neckline
- Court neckline
- Horse shoe neckline
- Racerback neckline
- Wide square neckline
- Mitered square Neckline
- Scallop neckline
- Sabrina neckline
- Funnel Neckline
- Slash Neckline / Slit neckline
- Asymmetrical neckline
- Illusion neckline
- Cardigan Neckline
- Surplice neckline
- Yoke Neckline
- Banded Neckline
- Bib neckline
- High neckline / Queen Ann neckline
- High-neck sweetheart neckline
Crew Neckline
It is a round neckline that 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 a 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 a thin long neck can look good in the neckline.
Jewel Neckline
This neckline is called jewel neckline, because the neckline lies where a necklace is worn.A slightly lower round neckline, this is the very most common neckline seen in dresses, tops. It is confused with the crew neck as it is almost similar.
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.
These are all round neckline. Know more about different types of round necklines here.
Square Neckline
This neckline consists of a straight horizontal line that runs across the chest, creating a square or nearly square shape.
Square necklines can enhance the appearance of a smaller or medium-sized bust by creating the illusion of curves and fullness in the chest area. Read more about a square shaped neckline here.
V neckline
This neckline has a V-shaped opening that narrows down toward the center of the chest.
It is an almost perfect neckline that will look good on almost everybody, as far as I have seen, but for an apple body shape, it is a lifesaver. This neckline can elongate the body, so it is the choice neckline for short people.
Check out the 6 ways you can stitch a V-neck on to your dress/top
Boat Neckline / Bateau
This neckline is also called the Bateau neckline. It is a wide neckline that almost reaches the shoulder line and sits very close to the neck, high in front and back.
It emphasizes the bust line 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 from with a pear shaped body ( and with a small bust).
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.
Collared neckline
This neckline features the addition of a collar, a fabric band or strip, around the neck area of a garment. Different kinds of collars can be added to the neckline. A collared neckline can come with a buttoned placket or without.
Related posts : There are so many different types of collars that it is not possible to elaborate here. Checkout the 50 plus names of collars you can add to your neckline. Then there are some odd 15 names for shirt collas.
Band collar necklines
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.
Strapless Neckline
A strapless neckline lacks straps or sleeves over the shoulders. It is characterized by a straight or gently curved horizontal line that exposes the shoulders, collarbone, and upper chest area.
The strapless neckline can be cut in different ways. It can be cut straight across the body or in a sweetheart neck fashion.
Cowl neckline
A cowl neckline features draped or folded fabric that creates a loose, gracefully draped look around the neck and upper chest area with soft, draped folds of fabric.
Read more about different cowl neckline styles and how to sew a cowl-neck top.
Diamond neckline
This neckline is diamond-shaped or rhombus-shaped or has a cutout or design detail in these shapes at the center of the neckline.
Keyhole neckline
This neckline has an opening just under the edge – either a circular one, an oval one, or a tear-shaped one.
Check out this post on Keyhole neckline for more details and 9 different placement of keyhole on the neck of a dress.
Sweet heart neckline
This is a very appealing neckline, with the lower portion of the neckline looking like the top portion of a heart.
Read more about a sweetheart neckline here.
Off shoulder neckline
This neckline is also called a Bardot neckline. This is a style of neckline in clothing where the fabric or material of the garment is designed to rest below the shoulders, exposing the shoulders and collarbone area.
A very feminine neckline which brings attention to the shoulders and neck. For those with slender shoulders, this can look very appealing.
Here is a more detailed look at this neckline – check out this post- Bardot neckline/off shoulder neckline -10 beautiful styles ; For sewing a top with this neckline this post maybe useful.
Halter neckline
In this neckline, the fabric or straps wrap around the back of the neck, leaving the shoulders, arms, and upper back exposed.
Ruffled neckline
This neckline features decorative ruffles or frills along the edge of the neckline.
Wide square neckline
As the name suggests this is a very wide angular or square neckline – though modest
Halter neckline with straps
This neckline combines elements of both a halter neckline and shoulder straps..
Envelop neckline
The envelope neckline has an overlapping or “enveloping” design at the neckline area. This means that one side of the neckline folds over the other side.
The envelope neckline is typically found in baby and infant garments such as onesies or bodysuits.
Strap neckline
This is a neckline with one or multiple thin straps that frame the neckline or shoulder area. They can be arranged in various ways across the neck.
Décolleté neckline
A décolleté neckline is a very deep neckline. It is also referred to 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
One shoulder neckline
This is an asymmetrical single-shoulder neckline, with only one shoulder exposed while the other remains covered.
Paper bag neckline
This is a gathered, or cinched neckline that resembles the top of a paper bag when it’s folded over.
Queen Elizabeth neckline
Court neckline
Horse shoe neckline
Racerback neckline
This neckline has a unique design in which the shoulder straps of the garment converge towards the center of the back, forming a T or Y shape.
Wide square neckline
Mitered square Neckline
Scallop neckline
Scallops edge the neckline. The scallops can be facing the neck or the bodice. Checkout the Tutorial for scallop edge
Sabrina neckline
A sabrina neckline is a variation to 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
Funnel Neckline
This is a high neckline that sits upwards towards the neck , cut as one with the garment
Slash Neckline / Slit neckline
This neckline has a narrow vertical opening in the front ( maybe in the back also)
Asymmetrical neckline
Asymmetrical neckline has an uneven or irregular design, with one side of the neckline differing in shape or structure from the other side.
Illusion neckline
An illusion neckline has a see through portion near the neckline – like lace or net. The neckline creates the illusion of bare skin while providing coverage and support.
Cardigan Neckline
Neckline with a Jewel or V-neck combined with a button up opening in the front like in a cardigan.
Surplice neckline
The type of neckline that wraps and forms a V neckline. The type of neckline you see on wrap around clothes.
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 bust line and can be shaped curved straight or diagonal.
Banded Neckline
This neckline will have a separate piece of fabric finishing and framing the neckline as well as the opening
Bib neckline
This neckline consists of a set in piece at the center front of the bodice. The lower portion of this bib like piece will be either straight or curved
High neckline / Queen Ann neckline
This is a neckline which is high at the back and has a v-neckline at the front.
High-neck sweetheart neckline
This variation of queen Anne neckine has a high neck in the back of the bodice but for the front it features a sweet heart neckline style.
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. Learn how to sew a high neckline here.
There are many other variations and styles of necklines available, but I’ll leave it to your creativity to imagine new types the way you want them.
Related post: 50+ neck design ideas for salwar suits/ churidar/ Panjabi suits.
Other Related posts : How to draft necklines ; How to sew a neckline with facing
thank you so much for more and more information about different types of neckline
Wonderful! Just what I’ve been looking for.
Thanks a lot
I really will try it
What is the kind of neckline that just looks like a slit in the top of the shirt, like a round almost but not even that slight swoop down.
Keyhole neckline or Slit neckline?
Thank u
Hi. I have seen a lot of the term perkins collar recently. I can’t find any info about it though. Can you help please? Thanks very much.
Perkins collar seems to be a slightly raised ribbed collar that stays close to the neck but can look like a band collar.
Thank you so much
I just found your website as I was looking for kantha stiches for a quilt I’m sewing. Very thorough and easy to follow. And then I found so much more. Thank you!
Thanks a lot..
hey just curious what kind of neckline is this one
Hi Priya
I think it is basically a sweetheart neckline, with a window : ) ;you can call it a decollette neckline as it is low.
I only recently discovered your site and its wealth of information. One issue I’ve not been able to resolve is that of how to convert a pattern from a crew or jewel neckline to a raised neckline, as seen in Vogue patterns V8982 or V1239. A high or raised neckline is not listed at all in the collars or neckline section, so I don’t even know if it goes by other names that may help my searching. Can you point me in a direction to pursue my inquiry? Thanks.
Hi susan
That is a high neckline; thanks for pointing it out. I will post a tutorial for that.
Thank you so much for this illustration,it was really impactful
Thanks so much for this information.
Thanks for the kind heart and for sharing. This is so helpful to me 5 Stars rate for you.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Josephine
Thanks for sharing just want to get more ideas I have in mind for my own consumption…. so helpful 🙂
how can i get a copy of all thee necklines
Am very happy i found you u’ve shine and bright my eyes of knowing types and difference of necklines am greatful.this has moltivated me of not dropping my aim as a fashion designer
Hi Helina
Happy to know that this has been helpful; Best wishes on your success as a fashion designer
thank you
u really try for not keeping it to yourself
kudos to u
Very very nice I liked all necklines n I get more ideas this pages .This pages are more useful my study. Thank you so much
Beautiful job, thanks a million;
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
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.
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.
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.
Hey Lilian
You just made my day. Thanks for the words. Best wishes for your future – it is an exciting career choice
Pray that your dreams will come true one day
lot of thanks for you!you are so kind .really its will be very helpfull developing my knowleadge and skills.
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.
Thanks for reading and commenting
It’s so helpful
Amazing. Very helpful.
Good For Knowledge Seekers
Very expository write up.well-done Sarina
Thank you Oluwaseun
This post has been of help…tnx a mill
Thanks for reading
Good for knowledge seekers
I have being able to know about different types of necks from you and am so impressed. Very kind of u.Many thanks.
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…….
Thanks for reading and commenting