With regard to fashion, fit is king, and if you fail to get the right neckline to match your face shape, it will affect your physique and personality. Necklines are also not lavatory; they are strategic in making your face and other parts of your body appear attractive. Whether it is a regular day where you have to attend some meetings or a night where you are going out or even that wedding coming up in a few weeks, knowing what type of neckline you should go for based on your face shape can be a plus to your confidence. In this guide, we shall discuss how the following flattering necklines affect each face shape on the basis of the shape that they compliment most.
Have you always had a heart-shaped face, and now you’ve got an oval-shaped face? Let’s jump straight to the world of necklines and learn more about how to choose the right one for you.
Heart-Shaped Face: Embrace the V-Necks
This face shape, with a wide forehead and small chin, is referred to as the ‘heart'-shaped face, and your goal is to make the forehead appear narrower while at the same time highlighting your beautiful cheekbones and slimming down your jaw line. In this case, you are better off with V-necklines.
Why V-Necks?
It is recommended for ladies with heart-shaped faces to wear V-neck apparel since they are inclined to elongate the face vertically, thus minimizing the size of the forehead and emphasizing the jaws. This neckline elongates the face, and this works for those with a broader upper part of the face since it makes the face appear slimmer.
Styling Tips for Heart-Shaped Faces
- Deep Vs: Don't be afraid to experiment with deeper V-necks, especially for formal or night-out looks. These add drama and can elongate the face even more.
- Layered Necklines: Consider layering necklaces with your V-necks to further draw attention downwards and enhance the effect.
- Fabrics Matter: Soft fabrics that fall naturally along the body complement the gentle curves of a heart-shaped face.
What to Avoid:
These are areas of the body that one needs to avoid choosing necklines that make them appear wider or longer. High necklines, such as halter necks, high boat necks, and other similar types of necklines, tend to make your forehead appear wider than it actually is. Avoid going for those garments that distort your figure, but rather go for those garments that make you look and feel even better about yourself.
Oblong Face Shape: Balance with Boat Neck or Off-Shoulder
Typical features of an oblong face are a smaller forehead and jaw and a greater length relative to width. Here, a balanced neckline is crucial; you want to draw attention to your widest features while still making your longest ones seem shorter.
Why Boat Necks and Off-Shoulders?
Boatnecks are fantastic for oblong faces because they add horizontal lines to the top of the body, creating the illusion of a wider face and shoulders. This helps balance out the longer proportions. Off-shoulder necklines are also perfect for adding width to your upper body, making your face appear shorter and more proportional.
Styling Tips for Oblong Faces:
- Boat Necks: Stick to boat necklines for an elegant, sophisticated look. They work well in both casual and formal wear, offering flexibility and class.
- Off-Shoulders: Off-shoulder tops or dresses are playful yet chic, bringing attention to your collarbones and creating the perfect balance between face and neck.
- Statement Necklaces: Pair these necklines with statement necklaces to create a wider frame around your face, further helping to add some width.
What to Avoid:
Skip plunging necklines or anything too deep and vertical (like V-necks), as these can further elongate your face. The goal is to create width, so think horizontal lines and broader styles.
Square Face Shape: Soften Features with Round or Sweetheart Necklines
When your jawline is firm, your forehead is broad, and your cheekbones and jaw are equally wide, you have a square face. When paired with the appropriate neckline, this shape's outstanding characteristics can be subdued.
Why Round and Sweetheart Necklines?
Long necklines like round, crew, or scoop necklines reduce the sharpness of angular structures in square faces. The inner ends form a curve that is very smooth, and the direction of this curve opposes the angles of the jaw, thus giving the face the natural, non-boxy look. Sweetheart also works well with square faces since it provides curves on your figure that will draw attention to your décolletage area, and your neck will look longer.
Styling Tips for Square Faces:
- Scoop Necks: A wide scoop neckline will round out the face and soften your jawline.
- Sweetheart with Ruffles: Sweetheart necklines with ruffled or lace details add even more softness to your look, balancing out sharp facial angles.
- Layering: Layering necklaces that follow the curve of your neckline can help round out your face even more.
What to Avoid:
Keep away from square necks, high turtlenecks, and other angular necklines. These will lend an air of rigidity to your face by drawing attention to your jawline.
Round Face Shape: Embrace Angular or Wider Necklines
The hallmarks of a round face include wider than long features, softer curves, and bigger cheeks. To counteract the roundness of a face, it's helpful to make it longer and more angular.
Why Angular or Wide Necklines?
When worn with an angular neckline, such as a square or V-neck, a round face can seem longer than it actually is. A more harmonious relationship between the head and neck can be achieved with a wider neckline, like an off-the-shoulder or bateau cut, which elongates the upper body.
Styling Tips for Round Faces:
- V-Necks: A sharp V-neck can give the illusion of a longer, leaner face, drawing attention away from the roundness.
- Square Necks: The square neckline can also create visual angles, giving your face more structure.
- Off-Shoulders: Don't shy away from showing off those shoulders! Off-the-shoulder necklines add width, which in turn makes your face appear longer.
What to Avoid:
Stay away from turtlenecks and high necklines; they draw attention to your rounded face. In fact, these cuts will do the reverse of what you want by making your face look bigger.
Oval Face Shape: The Universal Look
Oval faces are the most adaptable, so count your blessings if you happen to be born with one. A slightly narrower forehead and chin characterize an oval face shape, which is longer than wide. You can pretty much rock any neckline with an oval face shape.
Why It Works for Oval Faces?
Regarding the neckline, they should be more or less flattering because oval faces are symmetrical; thus, it doesn’t really matter what you wear on your neck; you will look stunning. Whether it is a high neck or a deep V neck, a boat neck or a turtleneck, it has to do with the wearer’s individual preference.
Styling Tips for Oval Faces:
- Experiment: Be bold and try new things! To spice up your appearance, try wearing tops with one shoulder or an asymmetrical neckline; halter styles are also great for adding drama.
- Turtlenecks: Oval faces can pull off turtlenecks like no other! It adds length to your neck, enhancing the natural elegance of your face shape.
- Plunging Necklines: Plunging Vs and scoop necklines work particularly well, emphasizing your neck and collarbones.
What to Avoid:
Since oval is one of the most versatile face shapes, there are a few rules you could follow; however, it is better to avoid big and deep necklines as they tend to elongate the face even more.
Additional Pointers for Perfect Necklines:
1. Consider Your Neck Length
Your neck length also has a very big role in how a neckline will look on you. If you have a short neck, it would be wise to wear clothes with low necklines, such as V-necks or scoop necklines, since they will make your neck look longer. If you have a long neck, then boatnecks, turtlenecks, and high collars would aptly complement your neck.
2. Posture Matters
The way you carry yourself can change how a neckline works for you. Stand tall and carry your shoulders back to show off the neckline and highlight your face and neck.
3. Accessorize to Enhance
Necklaces therefore are good for improving the outlook of the neckline. Necklaces that are long should be worn, especially when the clothes have deep necklines, while chokers or less longer necklaces should be worn when the clothes have high or boat necklines.
4. Pay Attention to Fabric
Fabric can make a difference too! Stiff fabrics may add volume, while flowy fabrics can give a more relaxed look. Pick fabrics that complement not only your neckline but also your body shape.
5. Think About Occasion
There is nothing more that can transform the general outlook of an outfit than the kind of neckline that has been selected. For a regular day, a deep V neck or any other type of V neck may be ideal, while for a formal occasion, a scoop neck, boat neck, or any V neck will suit the occasion.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Unique Shape
Wear whatever makes you feel incredible because that's all that matters. These recommendations can assist you in locating necklines that work with your facial structure, but they are by no means exhaustive. Embrace your unique style and let it be an expression of who you are. Experiment with various cuts and styles, but most importantly, love your face shape for what it is! There is a perfect neckline out there for everyone, whether they prefer classic V-necks, whimsical off-shoulders, or beautiful boat necks.