60+ different styles of Neckline designs for your clothes

Several factors determine the success of a garment. Without a doubt, its Neckline is one of the most important..

Most of us do not choose the neckline of a garment in isolation. We look at the style, fabric, color, etc, and then the neckline. But we forget that the neckline of the bodice frames your face and accentuates its features and is the first thing others see, mostly, when they look at you (arguably).

The correct neckline design can turn a so-so garment into one that is stunning, provided it is the right one for you

The choice of the neckline is dependant on many factors like the shape of the face, shoulders,  size of the bust, the bust line, neck type and above all the body shape of the wearer.

Just as the way we consider all the above-mentioned factors when choosing a neckline, a neckline in turn makes all these features look good – like the face, shoulders, bustline, and the whole body shape don’t you think so?

Related Post : How to choose the best neckline design for you? 

If you are convinced about the argument that a neckline can make or break a garment, let us look at the 30 plus basic styles of necklines available and then the 30 plus variations of these basic neckline styles

Checkout the post on drafting necklines to design necklines for clothes you sew. 

Main types of necklines 

Crew Neckline

It is a round neckline that sits close to the neck, typically seen in t-shirts.  It usually ends above the collarbone and usually has a band around it. It is not a suitable neckline for a stocky figure with a short neck, as it will make the neck closed in, or a person with a very large bust, or a person with narrow shoulders. A person with a thin long neck can look good in the neckline.

Jewel Neckline

A slightly lower round neckline, this is the very most common neckline seen in dresses, tops. Named jewel neckline, because the neckline lies where a necklace is worn. It is confused with the crew neck as it is almost similar.

U neckline

A neckline shaped like a U, this is a universally liked neckline. The neckline will be as wide as the base of the neck.

These are all round neckline. Know more about different types of round necklines here.

Square Neckline

Read more about a square shaped neckline here.

V neckline

It is an almost perfect neckline that will look good on almost everybody, as far as I have seen, but for an apple body shape, it is a lifesaver. This neckline can elongate the body, so it is the choice neckline for short people. Check out the 6 ways you can stitch a V-neck on to your dress/top

Boat Neckline / Bateau

This neckline is also called the Bateau neckline. It is a wide neckline that almost reaches the shoulder line and sits very close to the neck, high in front and back.

It emphasizes the bust line so for most people this is a flattering style. But for those who want to play down the bust do not choose this one. It is a good neck design to choose from with a pear shaped body ( and with a small bust).

Scoop neckline

This is a deep U neckline which is wider than the base of the neck. It is suitable to almost all body shapes, face shapes, depending on the depth of the neckline.  

Most of the body flaws can be camouflaged by this neckline – for example a too wide shoulder can be de-emphasized with this neckline; it can make a short neck look elongated. 

Collared neckline

Different kinds of collars can be added to the neckline. A collared neckline can come with a buttoned placket or without. 

Related posts : There are so many different types of collars that it is not possible to elaborate here. Checkout the 50 plus names of collars you can add to your neckline. Then there are some odd 15 names for shirt collas.

Gathered neckline

The neckline is gathered around the neck with a plain band or an elasticized casing or a drawstring casing. It usually has a v neck or a u neckline with either, ruching, gathering or casing done to contain the fullness around the neck.

This is a neckline you should not choose if you do not want to bring attention to the top portion of your body. As there is fullness here, decide for yourself, if you want this on the top bodice. Also called a peasant neckline.

Strapless Neckline

A strapless neckline can be cut in different ways.  it can be cut straight across the body or in a sweetheart neck fashion.

Cowl neckline

Read more about different cowl neckline styles and how to sew a cowl-neck top.

Diamond neckline

Keyhole neckline

This neckline has an opening just under the edge – either a circular one, an oval one, or a tear-shaped one.

Check out this post on Keyhole neckline for more details and 9 different placement of keyhole on the neck of a dress.

Sweet heart neckline

This is a very appealing neckline, with the lower portion of the neckline looking like the  top portion of a heart. Read more about a sweetheart neckline here.

Off shoulder neckline

This neckline is also called a Bardot neckline. A very feminine neckline which brings attention to the shoulders and neck. For those with slender shoulders, this can look very appealing.

Here is a more detailed look at this neckline – check out this post – Bardot neckline/off shoulder neckline -10 beautiful styles ; For sewing a top with this neckline this post maybe useful.

Halter neckline

Ruffled neckline

Wide square neckline / Florentine neckline

As the name suggests this is a very wide angular or square neckline – though modest

Halter neckline with straps

Envelop neckline

Strap neckline

Décolleté neckline

A décolleté neckline is a very deep neckline. It is also referred to as a plunging neckline, when it is very deep. It is a revealing neckline going past the cleavage. Sometimes it is also cut very wide at the shoulders

One shoulder neckline

This is an asymmetrical neckline with only one shoulder

Paper bag neckline

Queen Elizabeth neckline

Court neckline

Horse shoe neckline

Racerback neckline

Queen Ann Neckline

This neckline has a high neck in the back of the bodice but for the front it features a sweet heart neckline style

Wide square neckline

Mitered square Neckline

Scallop neckline

Scallops edge the neckline. The scallops can be facing the neck or the bodice. Checkout the Tutorial for scallop edge 

Sabrina neckline

A sabrina neckline is a variation to the boat neckline. It is slightly lower than the boat neckline. This neckline is usually mirrored on the back of the bodice as well. It is a very common neckline for wedding gowns. This neckline sometimes features ties at the shoulders to keep it in place

Funnel Neckline

This is a high neckline that sits upwards towards the neck , cut as one with the garment

Slash Neckline / Slit neckline

This neckline has a narrow vertical opening in the front ( maybe in the back also)

Asymmetrical neckline

Illusion neckline

An illusion neckline has a see through portion near the neckline – like lace or net.

Cardigan Neckline

Neckline with a Jewel or V-neck combined with a button up opening in the front like in a cardigan.

Surplice neckline

The type of neckline that wraps and forms a V neckline.

Yoke Neckline

In this type of neckline, the top portion of the garment including the neckline is a separate piece. The seam of the yoke can start at the armhole or above the bust line and can be shaped curved straight or diagonal.

Banded Neckline

This neckline will have a separate piece of fabric finishing and  framing the neckline as well as the opening

Bib neckline

This neckline consists of a set in piece at the center front of the bodice. The lower portion of this bib like piece will be either straight or curved

High neckline / Queen Ann neckline

This is a neckline which is high at the back and has a v-neckline at the front.

The basic neckline styles are good enough; we all have used some of them at some point in our clothes. But if you want some more variations these necklines can be looked at. Learn how to sew a high neckline here.

There are many other variations and styles of necklines available, but I’ll leave it to your creativity to imagine new types the way you want them.

Related post: 50+ neck design ideas for salwar suits/ churidar/ Panjabi suits.

Other Related posts : How to draft necklines ;  How to sew a neckline with facing