Overview | Silhouettes | Necklines | Trains | Fabrics | Colors
In the shop, I always found necklines to be a hard decision for the brides. Understandably, it’s part of every picture. Choose the wrong neckline and your entire look is off, find the right neckline and everything will fall into place perfectly. Before gown shopping, take a minute to look at pictures of your self and notice which necklines you tend to wear and what you look best in. keep in mind if there is a special necklace you want to wear make sure it will work with your neckline. Also when critiquing a neckline, the right bra makes all the difference!
This shape gently follows the curve of the collarbone, almost to the tip of the shoulders. Great for small chests, and bad for larger chests because it makes you look boxy.
The halter neckline either has straps that wrap around the back of your neck, or a high neck with deep armholes. This creates a beautiful open back and a sensual look.
Halter necklines look best on broad shoulders, especially swimmers with developed back muscles and taller women. Brides with narrow shoulders should think twice before choosing this neckline.
The portrait neckline sits just below the shoulders to showcase the collar bone. It is incredibly flattering for medium and full-chested women, but will look good on almost all figures. The portrait brings the focus up and taking attention off the bottom, making it a great choice for pear shaped figures. If you have broad shoulders or very full arms you should steer clear of this style.
The scoop, is a versatile neckline that is flattering on everyone The U-shaped is often low cut and follows to the back of the dress, makes for a smooth and beautiful line.
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.” It’s a complete myth that this would work! 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. Then why add straps? It softens a strapless look, and adds a bit of a flirtatious flair. If you have very broad or bony shoulder adding straps will help balance out these features. Any strapless dress can have straps added to them. Then, just follow the guidelines for strapless dresses.
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 or is very curvy.
The strapless neckline is a popular choice with lots brides due to its classic and sophisticated look. As the name implies, this neckline doesn’t have any straps, and has three subcategories.
1. Strapless with a 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!
2. Strapless without a curve and is straight across
This neckline makes a straight line from one side to the other, if the bride plans on wearing a chocking this neckline is fabulous! Petite brides look great in this neckline, where larger framed should stay with a curve look.
3. Strapless with a sweetheart curve
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 and shapes the chest beautifully. Smaller chests can’t fill the top of the heart and should avoid this neckline.
A “V” shape dips down in the front and often the V follows to the back of the dress. The V shape is good for medium size chests and offers good support. Large or small chest sizes should avoid this neckline because it call more attention to those assets setting off the entire balance of the dress.
Overview | Silhouettes | Necklines | Trains | Fabrics | Colors
