Dressing for your Body: It's All About the Neckline - Stylehive

When it comes to dressing for your body type, just about everyone will tell you to accentuate your best features. Some girls are lucky enough to be very in tune with what works best on them, while others need a little guidance to steer them in the right direction. I have always maintained that the neckline is one of the sexiest areas on a woman's body- no matter what your weight, shape, size, or build.

Here are ideas for bringing attention to your collar area in the right ways:
1- Square Necks
Square neck cuts are the perfect options for framing the face and making your neck look long and graceful. This cut brings the attention upward which can help balance out proportions for ladies who are big-busted, hourglass, or pear shaped (slim arms, small waist and fuller hips and thighs).
Hot Pick: Castle Starr Scratched Button Brushed Silk Dress, $620

2- V-Neck Halters
Halter cuts are a great way to draw attention to the neck and shoulder area without making you look broad (a common problem with strapless cuts).
V-neck halters have an elongating effect and can also create the illusion of curves, so this look is perfect for petites, pencil-shapes and an obvious choice for anyone with broad shoulders. This look is also ideal for apple shapes (characterized by a wide torso, big bust, slim legs and thighs)- the v-neck creates a nice visual and frames the face beautifully, drawing attention away from a fuller mid-section.
Hot Pick: T-Bags Print Deep V Halter Dress, $202

3- Boat Neck (or Bateau if you wanna get fancy)
The horizontal line of boat-neck cuts makes shoulders look broader which by contrast, make the waist look smaller. This is an ideal cut for pear shapes , petites, and anyone else lacking in the curve department. Ladies with full busts or broad shoulders should stick to options 1 and 2 as this look will only add volume to an already voluminous top-half.
Hot Pick: Theory Adrianne Dress, $275

4- Strapless
There is no better way to show off your delicate neckline than by leaving it bare with a strapless top or dress. However, not all shapes can pull this off. Strapless looks are ideal for pear-shaped girls who want to show off their slender tiny top portion. Pencil shapes and petites can also pull off this look off but should look for tube dresses and tops that are a little more voluminous- think chiffon layers, ruffles, embroidery, etc- to add more volume. This look can work on broad-shouldered and big-busted girls, but isn't always the most flattering option. That doesn't mean you should throw away all your strapless ensembles (I have broad shoulders and I still rock the look). It can work, it's just a little trickier to pull off.
Hot Pick: Jill Stuart Lindsay Strapless Dress, $385