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Thinking about flattering necklines

Anonymous

As you may know, I've been on the hunt for summer tops. I have been thinking about what necklines work best for me as a way to minimize online shopping returns. And I have been seeking color, since it makes me happy.

Although I like the coverage of a crew neck, I think if it is too high, it makes me look more top heavy. So scoop, a shallower v neck and maybe even a boat neck could work better.

When I come across colors I love but not always in the perfect shape, it is harder to walk away, but I'm getting a lot better.

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I am such a v-neck tee shirt fan - I immediately loved 3,4 and 7 but I think 2 is great too. I like a higher neck esp. on my tanks. I think exposed arms give me the balance with those and it gives my upper chest a break from the sun as that's where I always seem to be exposed in my usual tees.

Okay, so 1,2,3 and 6 it is then!

Anonymous

Oops Tex. I just deleted a couple pics, so now the order is different. Just trying to get rid of the worst of the blurry pics.

Joy

Veteran

I like the scoop and V necklines best on you, but they all look good. 1,2 &6 are my favorites considering color too. Summer necklines are a problem for me as I need the neckline to touch at least the sides of my neck ( so high necklines). That means that they are not very cool in hot weather.

Tisa

I vote for #2, #3, #4 and #6. To my eye tops that show a little bit of skin around your neck look better on you.

The pattern arrangement in #3 looks FAB, because it gives more form to the top. The top in #1 does just the opposite, because it is exactly the same everywhere you look.

The bottom hem of #3 and #6 looks very flattering on you, as well. I like it more than a straight cut. Very nice.

Edit: Picture numbers.

Anonymous

Texstyle - I think you look great in the vneck pic I've seen of you. I agree that sleeveless changes things. I also like a higher neck with tanks. And having coverage from sun can sometimes trump flattery, especially for outdoor activities.

Joy - I can see how the high neck doesn't give as much cooling.

Tisa - #3 has the color blocking, which I love. The large logo, I could do without. And pic 1 I want to love because it would be such a useful shirt for me, but maybe you put your finger in what's just slightly off.

Sarah

I think you are correct in your assessment of flattering necklines. The scoop or slight v neck look the best. The plain crew neck, while not bad is not my favorite on you. #2, 3, 4 and 6 are my favorite. The colors in #2 look really nice on you. #1 is ok too, maybe a bit big through the body? I am going to follow this thread, as I have a similar body type.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Scoop and v necklines always work best on me as well. But I compromise sometimes for pattern or a shape that works better with a certain jacket.

JAileen

Veteran

I love the ombre top. The neckline would be too big for me. I'm relatively small busted so if the neckline is too big, when I lean over you can see my navel.

I like small vee necks, boatnecks, and small scoops. A true crew neck looks bad, too. Maybe too athletic? I'm not sure.

shiny

Veteran

V and scoop necks definitely flatter me best (short neck), but as I've aged I've not liked to expose my chest as much, so I've slowly gravitated more and more to higher necklines. Especially for work wear. It took adjustment of my eye to appreciate that they are just flattering enough.

I find that higher necklines work okay if:
1) they still have a subtle scoop -- i.e., not straight across, but cut in a circle around the neck.
2) I wear them with a necklace, which creates illusion of a different neckline.
3) I put a topper over, and the topper creates the illusion of a V
4) I wrap a scarf around my neck.
5) A well fitting bra is even more crucial, the higher the neckline.
6) Color is important; best if it's low contrast to my skin, and flattering since a higher neckline will reflect off my face. That said I do wear high neck black tops -- and add a scarf, topper, or necklace to help tone down the harsh effect.
7) For some reason to my eye high neck works best with sleeveless. Probably because I have broad shoulders.

Liz A.

Veteran

Out of the pictures you've shown, I find #3 the most flattering on you.

For me, I have a shorter neck that is high in the back, and I have a lot of trouble with necklines. A very high neckline is not flattering, but neither is a very open neckline. What works best is a moderate scoop or v, lower than some people because I have quite a bit of length in my upper chest, but not wide.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with your assessment. The slight scoop or more open shapes look best. But I also agree with Tex that sleeve length and placement might make a difference as well.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I like the scoop necks and the V's on you. The crew necks do leave-over too great an expanse of material in the chest (IMO) although that could be ameliorated through use of jewelry or a scarf. For myself, I choose deep scoop necks, V's and I like boat-necks, too.

RobinF

Veteran

I like 2, 3 and 6 the best. I like the vees especially, although I agree too low is not good but I don't see any of these as being too low.

Tisa

Delurked, I'm not a fan of logos either, but what I do like is that in this case the logo creates a separate area of the top. Which means you have a black upper part, a middle part, and a lighter lower part. The middle part also forms nice colour bridge between the upper and the bottom part of the top.

Sleeve details add a nice touch as well.

kkards

Veteran

delurked I love that shirt your wearing in #6, any way you could add a find?

I'm like you, I think prefer scoop necks and shallow v necks, which I find are difficult to find...

Aziraphale

Veteran

It's hard to tell from changing room selfies, because we all look top-heavy when captured that way! But appearing top-heavy is a concern for you, like it is for me, I can offer some suggestions. First of all, pretty much the worst neckline I can wear is a high crew neck (like those you see on men's tee shirts). It makes my upper body look like a solid block. A crew with a large neck opening that shows a little collarbone can work though. I think the crew necks you're wearing in #7 and #8 are too high.

I find that a deep or wide-open v-neck looks best, but if it's too deep (something I struggle with because I'm petite!), can cause exposure problems. Shallow v-necks work too, though not quite as well. Scoop necks are good too. The tops you've got on in #2, #4 and #6 are great.

A good option (not pictures above) is a bateau neck that exposes your collarbones to some degree). I find these flattering, feminine and elegant.

I like the logo shirt you're wearing, partly because the curved hem is flattering. I think logos are fine, depending on what the logo is (I'd wear an Under Armour tee shirt).

Anonymous

Sarah - glad to know this may be useful to you. I actually sized down in 1, which is a top from Lucky. It has a lace up and tie at the neckline. I am going to see if I can try to open up the lacing a bit to show more skin to see if I like that enough to get for summer.

JAileen - I feel too exposed in a deeper v or scoop, but think that ombré one should work for me.

Anonymous

Shiny - a lot of wisdom in what you wrote. I can't really handle a third piece or scarf with my temps, and I think that's why I usually gravitate toward the necklaces to complete a look. I don't usually when I'm trying on, as it can be in the way.

LizA - I like 3 as well. I have been doing some trying on and walking away to see what I think of later. A bit of a pain in going back twice, but kind of good for examining my needs.

UmmLila - a jacket can definitely require a higher neckline. I've got a couple tanks that fit this bill.

Suz, EmilyK - I think a scoop neck probably works for a lot of body types.

RobinF - I agree, I don't think anything is too low here. I usually don't even bother trying those on.

Tisa - completely agree with you. This top will be mine. I may even look to see what other colors they make it in.

Color blocking and a raglan sleeve are a swoon worthy combo I could use more of.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I agree with your assessment, delurked. And I like 1, 2, 4, and 6 the best here. In 1, I like the tie--I think the peasant style neckline looks really nice on you and complements your hair and face.

Anonymous

Kkards - I tried to find the ombré tee online, but can't find it available. It's Calvin Klein (not sure if it was officially a scoop or v). I was at TJ Maxx.

Aziraphale - I completely agree several of these tees were too high a crew neck. I took the pics for myself to note colors I may l like in future.

Firecracker. Thanks. Guess most would know this by now, but better late than never.

Anonymous

I think you're completely on top of what looks good on you (no pun intended).

I love the colour of #2 on you, but the straight hemline and sort of boxier cut aren't as flattering as some of the other options.

Anonymous

Smittie- thanks. I get what you mean on 2. It did feels bit boxy IRL. It was a thicker cotton (life is good tee), but the color and v I like a lot. I feel like I've been searching for cotton, but that one had a little beefy tee thickness feel, which I pretty much ignore if it's in my closet.

Summer

Veteran

The scoop necklines are lovely on you, as are the v-necks.

Staysfit

Veteran

I agree with your assessment also. I like 1, 2 and 6.

Thanks to Angie, when I pick any article of clothing with a collar, I evaluate the SNP. Shoulder Neck Point is the point where your neck meets and blends into your shoulder. I prefer collars that come to/cover the SNP because my neck is long and skinny. Any collar that is wide or deep emphasizes these characteristics in an unflattering way.

I laughed at J'Aileens comment. I have experienced similar problems with gaping when leaning over with the added concern that my long and skinny neck often does not fill out a standard crew neck collar, leaving those looking like wide scoops! Confession time: I can expose my belly button by bending over in a crew neck

My solution to this problem, which is a sad constant in my life is to wear a fitted tank underlayer. I have also formed a habit of holding my neckline whenever I bend! Seriously!

The Cat

Veteran

I think #4 and #6 seem to be the best necklines for you. (I am commenting the necklines only, not the colours or the details of the garments.)

Tips: Among the factors to consider when choosing a flattering neckline are: (1) your face shape and size, (2) your neck length, and (3) whether the lines of your chin are curvy or angular. With a relatively large face, and/or with a short neck, necklines that are a little deeper may look better than turtlenecks and crew necks. And mirroring your chin lines (curvy = round necklines, and angular = V-neck) will often look harmonious.

We are all different, so what works for one person, may not work for another. For me, turtlenecks, slash necks, boat necks, as well as crew necks, scoop necks and in fact and all round necks that are not too deep, work well. I do not wear V-necks unless the line is very soft or unless they are a used as outer layers. (V-neck cardigans, for example, look ok on me if the inner layers have round lines. I aim to always wear flattering lines near my face.)

Good luck with identifying which neck lines are the best for you!

Style Fan

Veteran

I like #1,2 and 3. The colours are flattering and the shape is lovely on you. I think your assessment of what works for you is correct. I also find a crew neck makes me look top heavy. I find scoop necks very flattering. I also like v necks.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that the V and scoop necklines are particularly good on you, but I don't think the crew necks are *un*flattering.

I have the same preferences -- I love V necks and scoop necks that aren't too wide. I wear crew necks most easily if they are printed tops or something I can wear a necklace or scarf over. If I really love a top, I won't let a crew neck deter me unless it's really high. I don't look good in mock turtlenecks, and even turtlenecks are questionable on me (big boobs), but they can work if the details are right. I find many boatnecks surprisingly flattering, maybe because they create a nice horizontal line that emphasizes my shoulders. I am not wild about cowl necks or really droopy drape necks.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Delurked --

Glad I'm not the only one who spends waaay too much time debating on a not-great cut if the color is good on me. So much harder to step away!

The Cat covered all the stuff I was going to add about face shape etc. The slight Vs and scoops echo your jawline nicely!

The poor crew necks have been beaten up and I'll throw a punch too. Of those here I think the coral is the best because the arms are cut on the diagonal. Crew + straight cut short sleeve = brutal on me (also on the chested side here...).

Re gaping -- if you can stand it, I layer the sleeveless half-camis under pretty much everything. Second Base sells scoop and high neck versions, and I find even the scoops are enough to prevent a show when bending. The higher are even better and good for sun protection, so I have both types.

Anonymous

Thanks Summer and SF.

Staysfit - I try very hard to avoid camis under tops because it gets too hot. I understand their usefulness though.

The Cat - that is very interesting. I never considered my face shape for tops. I have a pretty long neck.

Janet - I've got a couple crew necks that aren't bad. I should look at them to see what's different about them vs the ones above.

Vix - I do have a few half camis and find them so useful. On the last one, I reluctantly walked away from it because I really like the color and the lace.