Show it or hide it: your most flattering neckline

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It’s amazing how a small part of your garment can radically change the whole appearance. It can add you charm, make you look smarter and generally flatter you, or it can totally ruin the image you’ve been trying to create.

Neckline is an important thing to consider when trying to look your best on a date, at the office, or just walking your cute dog in the park.

Salma Hayek empire neckline

Fortunately for all of us, there’re some simple rules we can follow when choosing flattering necklines. There’re just three main factors you should keep in mind: face shape, body type, and bust size.

What is important about choosing a flattering neckline is the concept of balance. When looking in the mirror you must see that everything is in proportion. Balance your features, that matters.

Face shape

The shape of your face is the first consideration for determining your ideal neckline.

If you have an oval and well proportioned face almost any neckline style is flattering to you.

Amanda Peet oval face

If you have a long and narrow face try to choose wider and shallower neckline styles. This way you’ll be able to make your face appear wider thanks to drawing a horizontal line by the neckline.

Liv Tyler V-neckline style

On the contrary, if your face is wider and rounder pick a neckline with a stronger vertical shape to balance the look.

Kelly Osbourne round face

Body Type:

Average build women should face no problems while choosing any necklines they find appropriate.

Large-framed women should look for necklines stressing a more vertical line. Think V-necks, scoop necks, sweetheart necklines (resembling the bottom of the stylized heart graphic), empire necklines (which is square with horizontal coverage of the breasts).

Oprah Winfrey portrait neckline style

Small-framed women should look for necklines offering a widening effect. You may consider the following neckline styles:

1. Sabrina, an open neckline that gently curves from shoulder to shoulder, resting on the tops of the shoulder and is perfect for camouflaging too-much or non-existent cleavage.

2. Boat neck that closely follows the collarbone. It helps to balance the upper and lower halves of the body.

3. Crew Neck that fits loosely along the base of the neckline and is collarless.

Eva Longoria crew neck

4. V-Neck.

5. Jewel neckline that is a high, close neckline style that closely encircled the base of the neck and covers the tops of the torso to the shoulders. The look is almost always sleeveless, making you look sleek.

Bust Size:

Women with moderately-sized breasts and average shoulder width should be comfortable with any neckline style.

Jennifer Lopez moderately sized breasts

A woman who has a small bust and narrow shoulders should consider styles like the boat neck, Sabrina, sweetheart and Queen Anne, a diamond shape opening neckline that makes the upper torso appear larger and wider.

Big-busted and broad-shouldered women should choose styles like the empire, Queen Anne, scoop neck, V-neck, and cowl neck, featuring a collar of folded fabric, but it’s wider and looser rather than close-fitted.

Liz Hurley V neck

Now you know some main tips and there’s only one thing left to decide – it’s up to you whether you want to show it all, or hide you neck, your shoulders, and your cleavage. Just keep two main things in mind – balance and style, and you’ll find yourself making right decisions!