Bridal Gown Necklines

Sweetheart. Sabrina. Strapless. The right neckline can make the difference between a wedding gown that flatters and one that falters. Below, we help you decipher the different styles.

Portrait (Off-the-Shoulder)
Just like the name implies, this neckline sits below the shoulders to showcase the bride's collar bone and shoulders. While this style is super-flattering to medium- or full-chested women, an off-the-shoulder neckline will look good on almost all figures.
Good for: Full-chested and pear-shaped women
Bad for: Broad shoulders, fuller arms

Bateau (boat neck)
This shape gently follows the curve of the collarbone, almost to the tip of the shoulders.
Good for: Small breasts
Bad for: Large breasts

Halter/High Neck
The halter features straps that wrap around the back of the neck, or a high neck with deep armholes. Both look best on broad shoulders or taller women -- 5'7" and up. A halter also works great for swimmers. This neckline creates a beautiful open back.
Good for: Broad shoulders
Bad for: Narrow shoudlers

Scoop
The scoop, a U-shaped neckline, is a universally flattering classic. It can be cut low, and quite often the scoop will continue on the back of the dress.
Good for: Just about anyone

V-neck
The name says it all: The neckline dips down in the front (and sometimes in the back as well) in a V-shape, de-emphasizing the bustline.
Good for: B or C cups
Bad for: Anyone bigger or smaller

Strapless:
The strapless neckline is a popular choice with lots of brides due to its classic and sophisticated look. As the name implies, this neckline doesn't have any straps, and has three subcategories.

slight curve:
The neckline either slightly curves up or down adding a little bit more interest and focus on the neck area. If you have a special necklace you want to show-off, then this is the neckline for you!
good for: larger chested, and girls with fun necklaces
bad for: narrow shoulder, small chested

straight across:
This neckline makes a straight line from one side to the other.
Good for: smaller-chested and small shouldered
Bad for: large-chested, broad shoulder

Sweetheart:
The sweetheart neckline -- which is actually shaped like the top half of a heart -- is a wonderful option for fuller-chested women because it really accentuates the decolletage.
Good for: Serious decolletage
Bad for: The decolletage-impaired

Spaghetti straps:
Most brides believe adding spaghetti straps will stop the gown from falling down. In the store, we hear all the time "I love strapless dresses but I don't want to be pulling my dress up all night like my friend did at her wedding, so I want to add straps" Straps are purely decorative, not functional. If we use the straps to hold up the dress then they would cut into your arm leaving a mark. If a strapless gown is fitted properly, it is fitted from the waist to hold the dress up, not the chest. As woman our chests are so transient that we can't fit the dress from there, that is why you see girls pulling at the top. First fit the waist, then the chest.
three subcategories:

slight curve:
The neckline either slightly curves up or down adding a little bit more interest and focus on the neck area. If you have a special necklace you want to show-off then this is the neckline for you!
good for: larger chested, and girls with fun necklaces
bad for: narrow shoulder, small chested

straight across
This neckline makes a straight line from one side to the other.
Good for: smaller-chested and small shouldered
Bad for: large-chested, broad shoulder

Sweetheart
The sweetheart neckline -- which is actually shaped like the top half of a heart -- is a wonderful option for fuller-chested women because it really accentuates the decolletage.
Good for: Serious decolletage
Bad for: The decolletage-impaired

Square
The square neckline has a straight horizontal bodice that meets with straps in a 90 degree angle. The crisp clean lines of the square neck will create an elegant look on any dress style and works well with most figures. Great for anyone who wants to wear a normal bra and is very curvy.
Good for: large chested, and curvy
Bad for: small chested