I think about relationship between body shape and neckline shape (oval and round versus straight and sharp). Is there any dependence between this two factors? I think, that rounded somatypes need more rounded necklines and straight body shapes need more sharp or straight necklines.
But what about body shape with both sharp and curved linen (e.g. A shape with curvy bottom and straight upper body)?
Please, could you write in your blog post about your opinion about it? Thank you very much and wish you many blog ideas and thank you for your perfect work on your blog!
How to Choose the Perfect Shape Neckline
What I have discovered from my decade or so of helping people get dressed is that necklines relate to the shape of your jaw, not your body shape. This is one of the rules of related shapes. What can happen is that someone with a more rounded body may also develop a more rounded jaw which is why you feel that a more curved body needs a more curved neckline! You need to mirror the shape in some way, be reminiscent of the shape of the curve or angles of your jaw.
- Curved jaws look best in scoop or wide, soft V necklines
- Square jaws rock a square or boat neckline
- Pointed, V shaped jaws are made for V necklines
- Everyone can wear a cowl neckline, which are particularly flattering on a softer, older jawline (as they have a softer shape).
When you see the picture above (you can click on it to make it larger), you will see that the most flattering neckline is the one that mirrors her wide V shaped jaw – the wide V. The less related the shape, the less flattering the neckline.
Explains why I love cowl necklines alot (as well as turtleneck and collars because Ive a long decolette) but the wide necklines doesn work that well with my bodyshape.
I think my jawline is an combination of curved and square because its curved at the centre and becomes more square-ish with a subtile cleft (mina kuni,demi lovato etc has that kind of jaw ,, which always reminds me of a butt crack! LOL), but both square and wide necklines conflicts with my broad shoulders which is an area I dont like to emphasize! 😛
I prefer to reach out for more narrow necklines because both scoop and boat necks doesnt love me since they make my torso bigger than it is ….or rather more “boxy” (because being in the average tall and 100ibs range I dont think I need to worry about looking bigger. LOL). The only time I find wider necklines work well is when the waist is very cinched (i.e. top tucked into a high waisted skirt or wearing a thick belt) or when wearing a flared bottom (I prefer straight/pencil skirts and bodycon midis over flare/a-line tho ad flared skirts emphasize my 2nd area Im not fond of, “chicken legs” with bony knees…). :S
My face shape is an elongated heart, pointy jaw/chin means not too wide V-neck is what flatters best. The v worst is of course crew neck, but if I have to wear that, one trick that I would employ is wearing a necklace with a pendant, which then forms a prominent V-shape. esp if it’s slightly longer than the neckline and the top is a less flamboyant colour, helps a lot.
Hello Imogen, thank you for your demonstrative article answer to my question, now it is clearly. You are right, women with curvy body have often rounded chin. Thanks!
Great info, as usual. I have a very knobby chin with an oblong/long face. I also need soft V necklines for a large bust (on a petite, H shape). What goes well with the knobby chin?
I have a tear-drop shaped jaw, probably the most flattering neckline I ever owned was a quite deep, fairly wide, but not ‘wide’, soft-cornered oblong shaped neckline in a knit top that had a lot of elasticity. It seemed from memory to mirror the whole shape of my jaw from my ears down – similar length as well as shape. Miss that top! Stolen from a laundromat in the student days. Tragic!
This is really interesting, and your examples show why I don’t wear 2 tops in my wardrobe that I really like but have a squarish neckline and I have an oval face shape.
I wear a lot of v necklines due to having a large bust but have found the most flattering neckline is a wide scoop neck as it flatters my narrow shoulders and also seems to minimise the bust – but I can’t always find them.
You will find that if you add a cami under your v necklines it will soften them off and make them more flattering.
I don’t agree with this theory. I have a very square jaw line. However, I also have a long neck and prominent trapezius muscles. I *wish* I could wear a boat neckline, but it makes my shoulders look sloping and my neck look like a Canada goose. I am also thin, but busty. So the long length of fabric across my chest makes me look top heavy. In short, it’s a train wreck.
Boat necks don’t work with larger busts. This is just a starter guideline, you will want more angular necklines
Really informative. Is there a way to wear other necklines that are not perfect for the face shape? I have a lot of button front shirts and they are a staple as well as boat neck Ts as they lend that French touch, can perhaps the necklace addition in the proper shape or wearing of a scarf help make the clothing still work?
I’ll do a post on this Ruby!
Oh shall look forward to it!!
Now I’m confused. I’m a thin but very pronounced V-shape and and have a square face with a very square jaw. I’ve always worn deep Vs and low scoops because any kind of square neckline seems to emphasize my broad shoulders. What do you do when your face shape tells you to wear the very thing your body shape tells you to stay away from??
A deep V shape can still relate to a square jaw shape. You have to decide if your broad shoulders bother you (sounds like they do, though I think they are a great feature!)
Not sure how to transfer this theory to my case.
I am not entirely sure whether I have a square jawline or not. It has some angular lines to it, but I don’t think it’s square. My head is something in between of an oval and square shape. I also have a long neck (nothing out of proportion, just slightly longer).
Anyway, I look my best in boat neck shirts and ones with deep V neckline (those that have empie waists, and the necklines with minor wrap to them). I feel ridiculous in cowl necklines – as if my head is placed on top of a thin stick, not sure how to explain it. I don’t like deep necklines, but if I wear them, they should be a bit squared in their shape in order to work.
I’m wondering which neckline is more prominent when you have a top like a straight camisole underneath a scoop neck tunic or a v neck tunic. Who would that style suit?
A cami under a V neck makes the neckline softer and more scooped so is suited to a softer jawline rather than a sharply pointed jaw.
ok. I have a square face and square jaw. I really suit square necklines but the trouble is there aren’t many tops with that neckline and of course no necklaces that shape….any rounded shapes don’t suit me….straight lines are good
All your advice here has been great. Anything further advice that I would be able to do to have more options….
Try a wide V neckline with a cami to square it out.
Boat necks can also be a good alternative
Hmmm I wish I knew what type of jawline I have… I have always felt that v-necks, turtlenecks and low roundnecks look best on me but you have me wondering as usual!!
Okay, this is more than once I have been to your online website looking for the clothing you suggest and have posted on the link on facebook. The ONLY place I can bring up the clothing is on my cell…it is way too small to see and appreciate. I would like to see CLOTHING, not books, jewelry, shoes, etc…just the cute clothes. Do you NOT sell the clothes? Have I misunderstood the whole Fifty not Frumpy site here? PLEASE, PLEASE help! Thank you!
HI Joy, no I don’t sell clothes – I write a blog about what to wear. I’m confused about what you’re after specifically. I write about everything that goes in an outfit which does include accessories.
I have a very broad jawline ( so wide you cannot see both earrings at once if looking straight on ) I also have a wide forehead with a high hairline. As I’m overweight I also have full cheeks and softness at the jawline especially at the centre. It’s sort of angular with rounded corners. I also have a short neck and modest bust. Crew and boat necks are bad as they shorten the neck. I quite like a camisole under a V, cowl. The best ever was a scoop neck which started close to the neck, widened out and was straight across. The only top with this neckline is a little too tight. Hmm. Not sure what would be good on me.
Sounds like a curved face which is wide, which is why a wide scoop or cowl work well.
I learn SO much from your posts! Thank you so much!?
So that’s why I don’t seem to look good in V-necklines. I have a round face. Yet I would hear it said that a V-neckline is flattering for everybody and it makes your neck look longer. However, from looking in the mirror, I could see that it wasn’t true. I always knew I looked better in crew or scoop or rounded V-necklines as well as cowlnecks and mandarin collars and asymmetrical necklines, but not angular V-necks for round face.
I don’t get this post at all. I have square face, a square jaw and broad shoulders. I can’t wear straight necklines at all. Anything with a straight horizontal neckline, be it a boat-neck, a square neckline or whatever, makes my shoulders look linebacker huge. This advice doesn’t seem to mesh with the advice you’ve given on dressing your body type – i.e. if you have broad shoulders/V-shape body, wear low scoops/v-necks to draw attention away from the shoulders. If there’s a conflict between what flatters your face and what flatters your body, which do you choose?
All humans are unique and everything I write is just a guideline. So you make the choice whether you want to go with body or face for this aspect of dressing for you. As my mother would say – it’s all swings and roundabouts. We all have to compromise aspects of our style.