Dress Neckline Types at a Glance
| Neckline | What it looks like | Often flatters | What to wear under it | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetheart | Curved like the top of a heart, with a dip at the center | Most figures; adds shape to smaller busts | Strapless or built-in support | Sweetheart |
| Strapless | No straps; the bodice holds the dress up | Showing off shoulders and collarbones | Strapless or longline bra, or built-in support | Strapless |
| V-neck | Two lines meeting in a V at the chest | Almost every body type; lengthens the neck | Plunge bra if deep | — |
| Plunging | A deep V that reaches below the bust | Smaller to medium busts; evening looks | Low-plunge, adhesive or no bra; fashion tape | — |
| Square | Straight across the bust with squared corners | Most figures; balances wider hips | Bra with straps set wide, or strapless | — |
| Scoop | A low, rounded U across the chest | Most figures; softens broad shoulders | Regular or balconette bra | — |
| Halter | Straps that fasten behind the neck | Showing off shoulders and arms; draws the eye up | Halter-convertible, strapless or adhesive bra | Halter |
| High neck | Fabric rises to the base of the neck or higher | Long necks and narrower shoulders | Racerback or strapless bra | High Neck |
| One-shoulder | A single strap over one shoulder | Most figures; creates a strong diagonal line | Convertible or strapless bra | One Shoulder |
| Off-the-shoulder / portrait | Sits below the shoulders, framing the collarbones | Showing off collarbones; balances wider hips | Strapless bra | Portrait |
| Queen Anne | High at the back and sides, open sweetheart front | Formal and bridal gowns; most figures | Strapless or built-in support | — |
| Illusion | Sheer mesh or tulle over a lower neckline | Anyone wanting coverage with a strapless look | Strapless bra in a skin-tone shade | — |
| Cowl | Fabric draped in soft folds at the neckline | Smaller busts and slender frames | Strapless or adhesive bra | — |
| Keyhole | A higher neckline with a cutout at the chest | A modest look with a hint of skin | Regular bra, depending on the cutout | — |
Looking for a full silhouette rather than a single detail? Browse every shape in our Shop By Silhouette hub.
What Is a Neckline?
The neckline is the top edge of a garment, where it meets the neck, shoulders and chest. On a formal dress it does a lot of work: it sets how much skin shows, where the eye is drawn and how the bodice supports you. Necklines are usually described by their shape (V, square, sweetheart) or by how they sit on the body (halter, off-the-shoulder, high neck).
What Are Different Necklines Called? Neckline Types Explained
Sweetheart
A sweetheart neckline is shaped like the top of a heart: two rounded curves over the bust that meet in a dip at the center. It is one of the most popular necklines for prom, pageant and bridal gowns, and it appears both on strapless dresses and with straps or sleeves.
Does a sweetheart neckline show cleavage? Usually a little. The center dip is designed to suggest cleavage, but how much shows depends on how deep the dip is cut. A shallow or "semi-sweetheart" curve shows very little, while a deep sweetheart on a corset bodice shows more.
Flatters: Most body types. The curves add shape to a smaller bust and give a fuller bust a structured, supported line. Wear under it: A strapless bra, or none if the bodice has built-in support. Shop the sweetheart collection.
Strapless
A strapless neckline has no straps; a fitted bodice holds the dress in place, usually cutting across the top of the bust and under the arms. It is the classic formal neckline and leaves the shoulders, arms and collarbones bare for statement jewelry.
Types of strapless necklines: straight-across (a clean horizontal line), sweetheart (heart-shaped curves), semi-sweetheart (a gentler dip), corset or bustier (a structured, boned bodice, often with a sweetheart or straight top edge), and scalloped or notched (a decorative edge). Off-the-shoulder and portrait necklines are sometimes grouped with strapless styles because the shoulders are bare, even though they have sleeves or a band.
Flatters: Anyone who wants to show off shoulders and collarbones. Wear under it: A well-fitted strapless or longline bra, or rely on the bodice's structure. Shop strapless dresses and the structured bodices in our Spring 2027 runway collection.
V-Neck
A V-neck is formed by two lines that meet in a point at the chest. It can be modest and shallow or cut deep. Because it draws the eye downward in a straight line, a V-neck visually lengthens the neck and torso.
Flatters: Nearly every body type, including fuller busts and shorter necks. Wear under it: A regular bra for a shallow V; a plunge bra for a deeper one.
Plunging
A plunging neckline is a very deep V that reaches below the bust, sometimes as far as the waist. It is a dramatic evening-wear choice that puts the focus on the décolletage.
Flatters: Small to medium busts most easily, though structured bodices with mesh panels can support a fuller bust. Wear under it: A low-plunge or adhesive bra, or none if the dress is lined for support; double-sided fashion tape keeps the edges in place.
Square
A square neckline runs straight across the bust with vertical sides, forming squared corners. It can be strapless or paired with straps or sleeves.
What body type suits a square neckline? Almost all of them. The horizontal line widens the shoulders slightly, which balances fuller hips on pear and hourglass shapes, and it works for both larger and smaller busts. A square neckline is also a good choice if you have a long neck or want to show your collarbones without a low cut. Wear under it: A bra with straps set wide, or a strapless bra.
Scoop and U-Shaped
A scoop neckline is a wide, rounded U that dips below the collarbones. A U-shaped neckline is similar but usually narrower and a little deeper. Both are soft, easy-to-wear shapes.
Flatters: Most figures; the curve softens broad or angular shoulders. Wear under it: A regular or balconette bra.
Halter
A halter neckline has straps that wrap around and fasten behind the neck, leaving the shoulders and upper back bare. Halters range from thin ties to wide panels, and from plunging V-fronts to high-neck halters.
Do you wear a bra with a halter neck? Usually not a regular one, because the straps would show. Most people wear a halter-convertible bra, a strapless bra, adhesive cups, or nothing if the bodice has built-in support or cups. Backless halters call for adhesive or stick-on options.
Flatters: Anyone who wants to show off their shoulders and arms and draw the eye upward. Shop halter dresses, or see more bare-back designs in our open back collection.
High Neck
A high neckline rises to the base of the neck or above it, as in mock-neck and high-neck halter styles. It offers coverage while still looking sleek and modern, especially with cut-in shoulders or an open back.
Flatters: Longer necks, narrower shoulders and smaller busts. Wear under it: A racerback or strapless bra, depending on the cut of the armholes. Shop high neck dresses.
One-Shoulder and Asymmetrical
An asymmetrical neckline is different on each side. The most common version is the one-shoulder neckline, with a single strap or sleeve over one shoulder; other versions use cutouts or draping across the collarbone.
Flatters: Most figures. The diagonal line draws the eye across the body and makes a confident statement without much jewelry. Wear under it: A convertible bra worn with one strap, or a strapless bra. Shop one shoulder dresses.
Off-the-Shoulder and Portrait
An off-the-shoulder neckline sits below the shoulders, with sleeves or straps wrapping around the upper arms. A portrait neckline is a wider, more formal version: a broad band or fold of fabric that frames the shoulders and collarbones like a picture frame.
Flatters: Anyone who wants to show off the collarbones and shoulders; the horizontal line also balances fuller hips. Wear under it: A strapless bra. Shop portrait neckline dresses.
Queen Anne
A Queen Anne neckline rises high at the back and sides of the neck, then opens into a sweetheart or V shape at the front. It is most common on formal and bridal gowns and pairs well with simple earrings rather than a necklace.
Flatters: Most figures; it gives the framing of a high neck with the openness of a sweetheart. Wear under it: A strapless bra or built-in support.
Illusion
An illusion neckline layers sheer mesh or tulle over a lower neckline, often a sweetheart, so the dress looks strapless or low-cut while the sheer fabric adds coverage and support. Beading or appliqués are often placed on the sheer layer.
Flatters: Anyone who wants the look of a strapless or plunging neckline with more security. Wear under it: A strapless bra in a shade close to your skin tone.
Cowl
A cowl neckline has fabric draped in soft, loose folds across the chest. It is common on satin and other fluid fabrics, and a cowl can also appear at the back of a dress.
Who looks good in a cowl neck? Cowls are especially flattering on smaller busts and slender frames, because the drape adds volume and movement. A fuller bust can wear a shallow cowl in a lighter fabric; a deep, heavy drape can add more bulk than you want. Wear under it: A strapless or adhesive bra, since a cowl can shift and reveal straps.
Keyhole
A keyhole neckline is a higher neckline with a cutout, often a teardrop or circle, at the chest or just below the collar. It is a modest neckline with a hint of skin.
Flatters: Smaller to medium busts, and anyone who wants coverage with a design detail. Wear under it: A regular bra for a small keyhole; a plunge bra for a larger one.
Crew and Spaghetti Straps
A crew neckline is a simple round neckline that sits close to the base of the neck, the shape you see on most T-shirts. On formal dresses it often appears with beading or sheer sleeves.
Spaghetti straps are not a neckline shape on their own but thin straps added to another neckline, most often a sweetheart, V-neck or square neckline. They give a strapless look a little more security.
What Are the Most Flattering Neckline Types?
The sweetheart, V-neck and scoop neck are the most widely flattering necklines because they work on almost any bust size and shoulder width. If you are unsure where to start, try one of those three, then experiment with a statement neckline such as a halter or one-shoulder once you know what you like.
How Do I Choose the Right Neckline for My Body Type?
- Fuller bust: V-necks, scoop necks, square necklines and structured sweethearts provide support and an open line.
- Smaller bust: Sweethearts, cowls, high necks, halters and plunging styles all add shape or drama.
- Broad shoulders: V-necks and scoops draw the eye inward and down the center.
- Narrow shoulders: Off-the-shoulder, portrait, square and boat-style necklines widen the shoulder line.
- Fuller hips: Square, off-the-shoulder and portrait necklines add width at the top to balance the silhouette.
- Shorter neck: V-necks and plunging styles lengthen; very high necklines can shorten.
Consider the event, too. A plunging neckline is right for a gala but may feel like too much for a daytime occasion such as a baby shower; our guide to what to wear to a baby shower covers that kind of setting. Above all, choose the neckline you feel comfortable and confident in, since you will be wearing it all night. For more on matching a whole dress to your shape, see Dresses for Body Types.
Which Necklines Are Popular Right Now?
Corset bodices, which usually pair with a straight-across or sweetheart neckline, have been a defining prom shape in recent seasons. Sherri Hill's top-selling gown of 2024 was style 56161, a fitted stretch-satin corset gown, and its best-selling prom dress of 2025 was style 57250, a floral-print corset ball gown. To see the newest necklines on the runway, browse the Spring 2027 New York Fashion Week collection.
Finding Your Perfect Neckline
The best way to know which neckline works for you is to try a few on. Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers, so use Find A Store to locate a boutique near you, bring the style numbers you like, and ask the store to check whether a style is available to order in your color and size.
To see which necklines and silhouettes suit your shape, try the Sherri Hill Fit Finder.
