Ask Angie: What is the "shoulder neck point"?

Angie, thank you SO MUCH for offering your advice on necklines for me. I've been furiously reading everything I can find in the blog archives about long necks and bony chests! I don't know why I didn't figure it out sooner. Duh!

No wonder I always fight with necklines and prefer a bulky scarf! I was looking in the mirror just this morning and thinking, "My neck is SO long. I need to grow my hair to my shoulders or something. Something is really *off* here."

I just need a little clarification on what to cover. All collar bones? This is a complete paradigm shift for me. Thank you for speaking up before I filled my closet with the wrong necklines!!! Also, is sleeveless bad for me?

Edited to add pics: What about this neckline? Does the necklace help if it's not quite right? This is my "holiday" outfit I had planned.

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12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I wondered this myself. How I envy you your long neck!

Mochi

Me too!

Ana

(website)

I was wondering that as well, but I'm guessing it's the point where your shoulder meets your neck. We'll see what Angie says. : )

Anonymous

Una, a long neck needs to be in Alaska where it can layer up. Wanna trade?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Ana is right! Tip of the neck where the neck meets the shoulder. There is only ONE point where the neck and shoulder meet, ladies

I have an extremely long neck (I am part giraffe), dainty shoulder line, bony chest, and very short hair. I take my shoulder-neck-point fit *very* seriously. It must be structured at all times. No exceptions.

Ok, Angie, so I want to keep the shoulder- neck point covered in my necklines. So the one I posted is not so great?

Claire, that dress is not a scoop neck. It's a high neck, which gives your SNP structure. A high slash neck with exposed SNP's will do the same (wait for my outfit post tomorrow for visuals). Low scoop necks and V-necks that do not cover the SNP are what you should avoid.

Thank you so much! I think I'm starting to get it. I'll wait for tomorrow's blog post on pins and needles!

Jonesy

Very interesting and informative! First the concept of "grinning" and now the SNP :)! So much to learn....I wonder about hair: if your hair is draped around the SNP, does that give that spot coverage so you can have a bit more freedom with necklines?

HelenInCanada

Claire, your holiday outfit (from what I can see of it) looks fierce! I too envy your (and Angie's) long & elegant neck!

I also meant to say that your sheath looks fabulous, Claire! Sorry that I rudely forgot to say that.

Jonesy, long voluminous hair that covers the SNP (with the particular body type in question - like mine and Claire's body type), could do the covering trick! I have the furthest thing from long voluminous hair, so I need to rely on structured SNP's.

bran888

Active Member

hmm so if one has a shortish neck, then v-necks and scoopnecks are the way to go? I generally gravitate that way, but lately I've gotten into crewnecks...are those a no-no for a shortish neck?

Parsley

Claire, you look *BEAUTIFUL* in your holiday outfit!

The way I figure it, you just need to think: "What would Audrey Hepburn wear?" (You lucky thing, you!)

That makes sense, Angie! I don't have the same body type, but I do have a very long neck and I find that I am used to seeing my hair draped around it. When I pull my hair back and wear something without a collar, I feel like I am "all neck."

Diana

Claire, I really liked Imogen's (Inside Out Style) article on balance points and necklines here:
http://www.insideoutstyleblog......llery.html

I have a very short neck, and according to the balance point method, my "high neckline" point is like halfway down my upper chest. (The "low neckline" point on me is kind of impractical and not daytime appropriate, hee). It makes a lot of sense in explaining why I always feel like I look weird in things like crew neck tops and chokers.

sarah

Clare, your holiday outfit looks so pretty! I can't wait to see the whole thing.

Thank you Angie, Helen, Parsley and Sarah. My "sheath" is actually just a black stretchy knit top with a fur-collared sweater on top! I'll be wearing my new skinnies on the bottom; things are VERY casual (read: slob) around here.

Jonesy and Diana, so much to learn. Thanks for the link Diana....I'm off to visit Miss Imogen once again.

nancylee

This is such an informative post. Although I don't have the same elegant neck issue, it's always very interesting to learn different dressing strategies.

Claire, you look absolutely lovely in all of these photos! So glad you're getting the information you need to look even more smashing.

(and I echo Una...SO many women would love to have this "problem")

Sveta

Claire, I like your dress! You are going to be a star during these holidays.
Interesting but I was thinking about the same thing after your original post. Even though I guessed correctly what SNP is I was not sure how to apply it to my body.
So much to learn still...
On the positive note we are going to see a new Angie's outfit tomorrow!!!!!! < happy dance>

Suz

Okay- somehow I missed the original post!! where the heck can I find it, because I think I have this same issue, whatever it is!!!

Claire, you look GORGEOUS!!!!

Lantana

Thanks for this post Claire. What I am finding so interesting is that there actually IS an answer to style problems, a solution I mean. I always thought that some body issues were inescapable, that no matter what one wore ones legs would always look short, or neck long, or hips wide. I'm now learning that there are responses to all these issues and it is fascinating.

anne

Ohh yes - same thoughts as Suz here - this could be me as well - maybe.

Claire you do look very fab. Thanks to you and to everyone who contributed to this very interesting thread.

Marley

Claire you look great - and I have serious long-neck envy!

D'Ellen

I'm reading with interest because I don't have a neck. Must do more research on SNP.

Claire - you, your neck. and your holiday outfit are beautiful!

Just read Imogen's post - I'm sort of confused - maybe its just that I'm tired! I'm definitely going to have to give this some more "study-time" because I am constantly struggling with necklines and necklace lengths with my short neck!

san

Claire you look sensational in the neckline of your sheath. I wouldn't cover it up with a necklace. You have gorgeous collar bones and you should show them off.

Oh crikey, I am just a tad confused by Imogen's 'balance points and necklines' post. The diagram is mind-boggling. I think it is meant for nuclear engineers or some such profession. Whoops. Anyway, I have a vague understanding that my necklaces/necklines should fall just slightly above my bust line. Hope that's correct.

HeleenH

You look beautiful in your holiday top!

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