Choosing Your Wedding Dress: Neckline
When choosing the right style of neckline for your wedding dress it is important that you are realistic about your body shape - especially take a long hard look at your shoulders and your neck.
The size of your bust also is important - the right neckline should enhance your natural assets!
Neckline & Jewellry
The neckline of your wedding dress will also, in part at least, determine what jewellery you wear, and we have added some comments about the shape of necklaces that probably work best with each neckline. So either choose the necklace after you have decided on a wedding dress or, if there is a special necklace you want to wear, bring it with you when you are buying your dress.
V- Neck
Very flattering on those with a medium sized chest. Works well with long transparent sleeves. Not so good for those more amply endowed.
Jewellry: Y-drop or Pendant, Back Dangle or Lariat
Round Neck
Good for wide shoulders and where you don't want to show too much shoulder but still want to flatter your chest line. Works well for those with larger chests.
Jewellry: Y-drop, Pendant, Lariat
Scoop Neck
Very popular and not without reason as it flatters almost everyone. Works with equally well with straps, short sleeves and long sleeves.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess, Y-drop or Pendant, Back Dangle or Lariat
Jewel Neck
A higher round neckline, following the base of the neck and often transparent from the bust line up. Enhances small chests, best for a slim upper body.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess
Sweetheart Neck
Flattering to almost all shapes, with or without straps. Not so good on well endowed brides as it can excessively accentuate the cleavage.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess, Y-drop or Pendant, Back Dangle or Lariat
Square Neck
A flattering neckline in general and especially for well endowed brides as it can be cut quite low without being overly revealing.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess
Wide Square Neck
Shows off a little more shoulder and works well with either long or short sleeves. A popular style which flatters just about all body types and sizes.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess
Queen Anne Neck
Unusual line which is ideal to hide shoulders while still showing some neck. Not good if your neck is short or you do not have a good chinline.
Jewellry: Choker or no necklace - concentrate on earrings/bracelets
Straight Neck, Sleeveless
Enhances the chest area and shows off good shoulders and upper arms. Not good for smaller-chested brides. Watch at fittings for 'bulging' at the armpits.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess, Y-drop or Pendant, Back Dangle or Lariat
Off Shoulder Neckline
Accentuates good collarbones and shoulders. Good to balance wider hips but not with broad shoulder or heavy upper arms.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess, Y-drop or Pendant
Halter Neck
Good style for those with broad shoulders and especially for showing off a nice upper back. Doesn't work well with narrow shoulders.
Jewellry: Y-drop, Pendant or Lariat
One-shoulder/Asymmetric Neck
Shows off good shoulders and arms, flatters a smaller bust, not so good for the well endowed. Requires some panache to carry it off.
Jewellry: Princess or no necklace - wear great earrings!
Bateau Neck
Follows the curve of the collarbone and shows off a nice neck and shoulders; accentuates the chest for the less well endowed. Not good with a larger bust.
Jewellry: Choker, Princess
Sincere thanks to Viv at Ribbons & Pearls who kindly allowed us to use images of some of the many beautiful wedding dresses in her store to illustrate this article.