When you start your search for the perfect bridal gown, there are so many things to consider. Do you want sleeves? Which silhouette will complement your figure? Of all the different fabric types, which is the best choice for you? All of these are important questions to answer before you start trying on wedding dresses.
However, an important consideration for many brides is the different wedding dress necklines. From sweetheart to V-neck, the options are seemingly endless - and all this variety can get overwhelming.
Fortunately, we're here to help. Take a deep breath and relax - by the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of the different types of wedding dress necklines! More importantly, you'll know which is right for you.
Our bridal experts are here to help you navigate this stressful, daunting process with grace. We have 30 years of experience behind us so you can just enjoy being engaged while we do all the hard work of helping you choose the right wedding dress for you! First, let's explain why evaluating the different wedding dress necklines cannot be overlooked in this process!
Why Carefully Considering the Different Wedding Dress Necklines Cannot be Overlooked
The neckline is one of the most important details that goes into your search for your dream wedding gown. It's important to try on a variety of dresses with different necklines to see what works best for you. There are many options to choose from and different necklines can complement your figure in different ways
With so many options to choose from, it's a good idea to have a general understanding of all the different types of necklines
The Different Types of Wedding Dress Necklines
As we mentioned before, there are so many different types of wedding dress necklines to choose from. Below, we'll break down the characteristics behind each of these wedding dress neckline types. Let's start with one of our personal favorites - the sweetheart neckline.
Sweetheart Neckline
Named for its resemblance to the shape of a heart, the sweetheart neckline is one of the most popular wedding dress necklines. This is likely because it is flattering on nearly every body type! Whether you're petite or plus size, this wedding dress neckline will give you a gentle lift and make your waist look smaller.
This is also one of the best wedding dress necklines for brides with a large bust. This shape enhances your natural figure by hugging your curves in all the right places. Paired with straps or sleeves, the sweetheart wedding dress can also be great for those with smaller bust, too. The heart shape will give the illusion of a larger bust and a longer and leaner appearance.
The sweetheart wedding dress neckline is also a great choice for brides who want to show off their shoulders. This timeless look can be dressed up or down, depending on the overall style of your wedding. For example, a sweetheart wedding dress with lace sleeves would be perfect for a more traditional affair. Whereas, a strapless sweetheart wedding dress would be ideal for a beach wedding or any other laid-back celebration!
V-Neck Neckline
As the name suggests, this type of wedding dress neckline features a V shape - no different than typical v-neck tops!
Like the sweetheart, the V-neck wedding dress is also flattering on nearly every body type. However, it's especially good for brides with a small bust. The way that it frames your chest will give you a gentle lift and make your bust look slightly larger. On the other hand, those with a large bust may think that it's a bit revealing of their figure.
This wedding dress neckline is also ideal for brides who want to show off their shoulders. The V-neck wedding dress is perfect for any bride who wants a timeless look with just a bit of edge.
Scoop Neckline
The scoop wedding dress neckline features a U-shaped silhouette that accentuates the collarbone and lengthens the neck to create a sleek silhouette.
The scoop neckline is universally flattering on all body types and available on almost all different styles of wedding gown silhouettes. This neckline can be found in varying degrees of "scoop" but the choices are endless.
Plunging Neckline
This type of wedding dress neckline is reserved for the bold bride: the plunging neckline. This is one of the most daring wedding dress necklines, as it features a deep V that dips all the way down to the waist (or sometimes even lower!). It creates a sleek, sexy silhouette - showing off flashes of skin down your torso. You'll often find this particular wedding dress neckline type paired with long sleeves - they complement each other well.
This wedding dress neckline is best suited for those with a small bust. Even though most plunges are paired with an illusion paneling to prevent wardrobe malfunctions, bustier brides may still feel uncomfortable wearing a plunging neckline due to the lack of support.
If you're looking to make a statement on your wedding day, this is the dress for you!
Bateau Neckline
The bateau neckline- also referred to as boatneck or Sabrina - is a bit more unique than some of the other wedding dress necklines on this list. This vintage neckline is making a comeback after Meghan Markle strutted down the aisle to marry Prince Harry. This type of wedding dress neckline features two straps that sit on your shoulders and come up around your neck, similar to the sleeves on a boatneck shirt.
This wedding dress is great for the modest bride who only wants to show off a touch of skin. It gently grazes the collarbones and offers great support.
Halter Neckline
If you love halter tops, you'll love the halter neckline wedding dress! For those who are familiar, a halter neckline is one that has straps go around the neck rather than the shoulders. This exposes much of the back as well.
This style is perfect for the bride who wants to show off her shoulders while keeping the bust modest. It typically looks best on taller brides with broader shoulders - petite brides may find that this style is too much for them. Sometimes, you'll see a keyhole detail below the chest to make this sexy wedding gown pop even more.
Illusion Neckline
The illusion wedding dress neckline is one that features a soft and sheer panel of fabric around the chest and shoulders. This neckline uses bridal fabrics such as tulle or lace to partially cover the chest area in a strapless or deep plunge gown. The sheer fabric layer adds elegance and simultaneously gives the gown more structure as well.
This wedding dress style is perfect for the bride who wants the ideal mixture of modern elegance and functionality.
Want Help Choosing Between the Different Types of Wedding Dress Necklines?
We've gone over the different wedding dress neckline types. Now the question becomes - what kind of wedding dress should I have?
If you want help picking out your gown so you can feel confident and sexy walking down the aisle, we're here for you. With over 30 years of experience in the bridal industry, we've made it our mission to transform the dress shopping experience for the better. At Avery Austin, you'll find an unparalleled selection of stunning, salon-quality wedding gowns without the hefty price tag.
This is possible through our direct to consumer business model. By cutting out all the middlemen that the traditional dress shopping experience is riddled with, we're able to translate those savings to you - the bride. As a result, you'll find an amazing variety of wedding dresses under $1000 in our catalog. We even offer wedding dresses under $500 - with no sacrifice in quality.
What's more, we can get you your gown lightning fast. Compared to the industry average timeline of 6-12 months for how long it takes to order a wedding dress, we can get you your gown in as little as 9 weeks. Even sooner when you browse our in stock wedding dresses ready to ship now!
But, perhaps the best part of shopping with us for your bridal gown is the peace of mind you get by letting us handle all the heavy lifting for you. Once you connect with one of our experts, we'll talk over the details of your wedding, your style preferences, your measurements, and your budget. From there, we can build you a box of three try at home wedding dresses curated just for you. Invite the girlies over and enjoy that authentic dress-shopping experience from the comfort and convenience of your own home!
We can't wait to play a small role in your big day - head over to our site and let's get this process started so you can cross off dress shopping from your seemingly endless to-do list!
Final Thoughts on the Different Types of Wedding Dress Necklines
We hope you feel more confident in choosing between the different wedding dress neckline types after reading this resource. Here is a quick summary of the different styles:
- Sweetheart
- V-Neck
- Scoop
- Plunging
- Bateau
- Halter
- Illusion
While there are other different wedding dress neckline types out there, these are the most prevalent. And at Avery Austin, we have all these wedding dress neckline types and many others waiting for you to discover them. Let us help you find your dream dress today!