Sweetheart, boatneck, scoop? Wedding dress necklines explained

Part of the secret to finding the most flattering wedding gown is figuring out which neckline works best with your body shape – but which one is it? Halterneck or scoop? Sweetheart of boatneck?

And while you may have a whole Pinterest board filled with wedding gown inspiration, it’s important to realise that your dream wedding dress may not actually suit your body shape.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event and you will be the centre of attention for the day, so take the time to talk to the experts, who can advise you on what best suits your body shape,” suggests Emily Tan, founder of bridal online store, Miss Merry Marry.

Emily and her husband Ken decided to launch their business Miss Merry Marry this year after their own wedding, when Emily had trouble finding the right dress to suit her budget.

“My wedding dress was a beautiful off-the-shoulder satin gown and decorated with crystal beads,” recalls Emily.

Apart from offering dresses on the site, brides are also able to design their own gowns with the help of the Miss Merry Marry team.

The online store doesn’t own a showroom with a large inventory for customers to visit, although brides-to-be are welcome to visit their consultant’s room, located in Milton in, Brisbane,  where they can chat to the team and discuss what they want in their dream dress.

Here, Emily offers some of the most popular necklines for brides and which are the most flattering for women of all shapes and sizes.

Sweetheart

“Romantic and classic, this is by far the most popular neckline with brides,” says Emily. “It works best for medium to well-endowed women. Just make sure you’re showing the right amount of cleavage: not too much, not too little.

Strapless

Another common option, this neckline is perfect for showing off lovely collarbones and beautiful necklaces. If you’re conscious of your arms but still appreciate the line of a strapless gown, an option is to perhaps choose a bolero or a glamorous stole to cover up.

Boatneck

A boatneck gives extra coverage and is an elegant choice for traditional weddings, says Emily. It can be paired with short or long sleeves. However,  it’s best avoided if you’re well-endowed, as it will make you look heavier on top. It is also not recommended if you’ve got a short neck or a double chin as it will draw attention to that particular area of your body.

Halterneck

This is a great choice if you’d like to accentuate your curves and it’s perfect for tall or broad shouldered brides, says Emily. If you’re conscious of your arms, this is probably a neckline to steer away from, as it may make you look wider than you actually are.

Off-the-shoulder

This sexy neckline is ideal for brides wanting to flash some skin on their wedding day and is flattering on most figures, although it’s best avoided for women with broad shoulders and fuller arms.

One shoulder

“This is a contemporary choice and works well with pear shape or larger busts. It also accentuates your collarbone, so it’s best avoided if you have broad shoulders or heavy arms,” says Emily.

Scoop

Generally, you can’t go wrong with a scoop neckline – it shows off your collarbone and can elongate a neck. It can also create a lovely hourglass shape as it creates a balanced look between the upper and lower bodies, too.

V neck

From subtly sexy to low-plunging and racy, V necklines are a great option for most women as it can create a longer, leaner silhouette. This option highlights your face and elongates your body, as it draws the eye downward. If you’d like a fairly low neckline but you’re self-conscious, you may consider a deep V-neckline with sheer lace at the front, advises Emily.