Neckline Feedback Needed - YouLookFab Forum

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Neckline Feedback Needed

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

In reviewing my photos, I'm finding that I want to refine my choices of tops, specifically in necklines, so I've compiled some panels to assist in getting your feedback on which you find to be most flattering. I used to think it was enough just to expose enough skin to counter my busty/short necked conformation, but I'm getting pickier. What are your thoughts? Have you had this internal debate?

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from dashielle (Ann)

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ann, I think you look good in all of them! My favorite is the wider neck, middle row left, and least favorite is the scoop neck, last row left. The others are all just great.
Don't you think face shape has a role, too? I'm always at a loss about neck shapes on myself. It seems the ones that are recommended for a small bust don't look all that great with my long face.

Oh! I answered too soon. Now there's a second group. In that one, I LOVE the draped one, center top row. (That is one amazing dress on you.) My least favorite is the one next to it. But I like the similar shape of the purple top, middle second row--I think it's the soft gathers at the shoulder that make the difference to me. All the others look good!

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Sharan, I agree that face shape and hair style can also influence the choices, not to mention shoulder width and shape (flat, sloping, angular or round) and body shape. It's a quagmire, for sure, but I had a similar reaction to the photos...can't explain why, but maybe it's OK to not over analyze and just avoid steer clear of certain shapes. Too much navel gazing can be a bad thing It will be interesting to hear what others' experiences are.

Suja

Veteran

Neckline is critical for me, it is the single biggest reason why I find shopping for tops so difficult. FWIW, I would peg you for an average neck as opposed to short. I think you look best with a little extra neck showing and particularly fabulous in the shallow and wide style. But I do think you can pull off higher necklines.

In my own style journey, I used to only wear v-necks because they were the most flattering. Then I decided to try higher necklines for variety. I am moving back to v-necks as that extra bit of figure flattery adds a lot for me. I don't think this is obsessing, Honestly, I pay more attention to neckline than any of the other body type guidelines.

AndiB

Veteran

I like best those I'd call the boat necks, first panel, pretty much all on the second row. Exposing the slope of the shoulder from the neck is super flattering. A hint of clavicle in my opinion is always lovely.

Elly

Veteran

I think it is hard to judge because you have different facial expressions and different camera angles in many of the shots, which changes the shape of your face (and I bet people rarely look UP at you like some of those angles). Plus, everyone looks better with a smile and the mix of the two types of shots throws me. I thought I was liking certain necklines better until I realized I was liking the smiling pics!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This is a little tough because the photos vary in lighting, hair, eyeglasses, facial expression, etc., but I think I am most liking the effect of a slightly wider but not deep scoop neck on you. Center photo in first group as an example. I also like the asymmetric drape top center in the second group. But in all honesty, I don't think any of these are bad at all.

bj1111

Veteran

most fond of the draped v dress and shallow scoops/low crews
least fond of the boat neck and the deep scoop

as Janet says, none are bad.

Anonymous

Agreeing with the others here that from the first block of photos, the ones in the middle row - not too deep and a little wider - look great. Nothing wrong with the others, but I'm least fond of the lower , "droopier" necklines on you. And, again, I agree that hair and face shape has a lot to do with it. Here, we can't' see your body and overall look, so it's harder to judge the whole effect.

jackiec

Veteran

I'm nodding along with Sharan. I absolutely love a wee bit of drape, a peek of neck but not a ton. I do think you can pull off a LOT of necklines though. I'm marvelling at how versatile your hair is...getting off topic

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

The ones I didn't like as much are the bottom row on the first set of pics. I find U necks to be challenging to wear. I really like the boat neck styles on you (2nd row in the 1st set and the last 2 pics in the 2nd set). I think because these show some shoulder and that is really flattering.

unfrumped

Veteran

Great style workshop!
You look great in the high, slightly wide V-necks, and the "big crew neck" and boatneck and medium scoop. The deep narrow V and the deep scoops aren't in the same league. I do think Firecracker's onto something with face shape--I think that's why I like that ? first pic, second row that's kind of a V-scoop--it really frames your face. You don't really "need" a lot of deep neckline at all for your features.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Neckline assessment is usually better with a visual of the entire outfit. But it's also pretty clear from these photos that a wider and lower neckline is best on you, Ann. And since I've also dressed you in person - I am even more sure of my assessment.

If you go narrow on the neck at the sides - go lower on the neckline in front. If you go higher on the neck, go wider at the sides. Hope that makes sense. xo

Anonymous

Agreeing with Angie that a higher, wider neckline (like a boatneck) works because the revealed skin you lose in depth is replaced width-wise, if that makes any sense at all (I think I heard Debbie Raes or Imogen Lamport explain that in a video).

This is so instructive Ann, and I was at first very taken with how much your hairstyle seems to change the shape of your face (as it does with all of us, really). But what a great example to see so many different looks all side by side!

catgirl

Veteran

Totally agree with Angie. The Vs are my fave - as they are on me too, and the higher crew my least fave.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Thanks ann & Angie! I struggle with this too. I have a short neck & broad shoulders. V's & scoops are safest, but every now & again a good boat neck comes along. I guess now I know why that works some of the time!

Meow

Veteran

I see your face shape as square-ish so I would think a more square neckline would look great on you. What do you think? I don't see one in your photos. Have you ever tried a square neckline? I'm thinking a more rounded type square - not sharp square would be ideal. Nothing too severe - if they make such a thing. The closest I see is the 2nd group bottom left - the raspberry top. That's my favorite. I also like the middle row of the 1st set of photos.

Echo

Veteran

IMO, a flattering neckline has more to do with body shape than with face shape. Of course, a very long or very short neck can also affect things, but overall, a person with a narrow upper body and smaller bustline can increase the visual volume of their upper half with a crew neck or higher neckline. A person with a larger bust or apple shape can visually diminish a top-heavy appearance with a v-neck of some sort. I cannot assess without full body shots.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What the others said -- it's hard to judge without full body shots, but the wider boat necks and cowl "V"s seem best from these photos. But what a terrific set of photos! Very instructive, really.

How did you feel about the various shapes? What are you thinking to do, going forward?

I became super interested in necklines when I cut my hair. The necklines that used to work all right on me suddenly made my face look orphaned! I felt like Alice when she drinks that potion that makes her grow big, and most of her size is in her neck! it was really weird .

I have learned that on my (with a long neck, short hair, square shoulder line, small bust) the best necklines seem to be turtlenecks, shirt collars, stand or funnel or mandarin collars, crew necks, envelope necks, boat necks (if not droopy), what Angie calls "Armani" necklines, and short, narrow (not wide or deep ) Vs.

Debbie

Veteran

I like the boat necks on you. All of them look good though.

Nicola

I wish I had something helpful to add but I don't One thing that influences me almost more than (as well as? Just as much as?) the necklines is the colour of the tops. Does that mean a great colour gives you more flexibility? Who knows.

DonnaF

Veteran

I will have to study your photos and WIWs and K/Rs more because I have the sense that the necklines that flatter you the most are also the ones that work best for me: Wide shallow crews/boatnecks that show some collarbone. Maybe we have similar necks?

elpgal

Veteran

My favs are Photo 1- row 2, column 1 and Photo 2- row 1, column 2.

ETA: but as others point out, it is a combo of expression, photography, hair etc.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Suja- I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this folly. I'm clearly behind you in my journey as I've added more crews and shallower necklines then ever before. I have a ton of button down shirts that provide a narrow V, so I think if I have the option between two similar items, I'm going to choose bateau.
Elly- you're right (as are others) that many things can influence choice in this exercise. I almost wrote that in my post, because I think it would have been hard to do if I had cut off my head (which I did think about doing to remove variables). You're also - sadly- correct in that NOBODY ever looks up at me!
Ruth- Yep, I had a strong visceral reaction to the deep scoops once photographed...it's really what started this whole post.
Jackie- thanks for the support! It is kindof funny to look back over the last 5 or so months at all the hairstyles. Another interesting part of chronicling the journey.
Unfrumped- and see, I thought I did need the deep neckline until this exercise.
Angie- as usual, you totally articulated what I was trying to get to. It seems as though there is a fixed area which needs to be uncovered, but the ratio of width to depth is inversely related...if THAT makes sense! And others have pointed out the influence of color...interestingly, the bateau that many chose as favorite is a color that I NEVER would have worn before I joined the forum and worked with you.
Claire- I'm glad you found it useful, then it doesn't seem like me gazing at my navel so much
Echo- I may just take some of these pics and do full side-by-sides to see what those look like. Maybe take photos at the same time and similar facial expressions just for further illumination.
Suz- What I was thinking is that given the option of say a turtleneck, all of these are better, so I have learned that lesson, although for some reason that doesn't stop me from lusting after cowls and big turtles But really, what I said to Angie above is where I was headed, and ironically (or not) I just cut my hair the shortest it's been for almost 10 years, so that's some of it.
DonnaF- I do so hope this helps you and others avoid some of the mistakes I've made in the past. I hope we don't have similar necks, or if we do, you love yours more! Nora Ephron and I have similar feelings about ours