Hourglass, apple, petite or full busted: Choose necklines according to your body shape

Fashion tips: Selecting your neckline based on your body shape is crucial to creating a well-balanced look (Image: Canva)

Whether you choose to wear western or ethnic clothes, the shape of your neckline can be the most important factor making or breaking your outfit. Different necklines can highlight or downplay various aspects of your figure, and choosing the right one can flatter your body shape perfectly.

Selecting your neckline based on your body shape is crucial to creating a well-balanced look. If you have an hourglass shaped body, for example, you want to focus on highlight your natural curves, while for big-busted women, you want to choose necklines that give you support and structure while also keeping the focus away from excessive volume.

Here’s a guide to selecting necklines according to your body shape for a flattering, balanced look.

Hourglass shape

If you have an hourglass figure with well-balanced bust and hips and a defined waist, you want to highlight your natural curves without overwhelming them. Opt for sweetheart necklines that will emphasize your bust and highlight your slim waist, or scoop neck, which again creates a smooth, feminine look while balancing your proportions. V-necks are also good for the hourglass shape as it elongates the neck and draws attention to your waist.

• Avoid: High necklines, like boat necks or crew necks, that might make your chest look broader than your waist.

If you are pear shaped with narrow shoulders, a small bust, and wider hips, the best necklines are those that balance your upper and lower body by drawing attention to the shoulders and neckline. Try boat necks which will broaden your shoulders and create a more balanced silhouette. Square necklines too will draw attention to your bust and shoulders, making the upper body appear wider, while off-shoulder necklines will highlight your shoulders and balance the wider hips.

• Avoid: Deep V-necks or plunging necklines that draw the eye downward, further emphasizing your lower body.

Women with an apple body shape typically carry more weight around the middle and have a fuller bust with slimmer legs. You want to try to create an elongating effect and bring attention away from the midsection. For this body shape, the best necklines to try are v-necks that lengthen your torso, giving the illusion of a slimmer upper body and draw attention away from the midsection. A deep scoop neckline also helps create a longer, leaner appearance, while the wrap neckline style creates a flattering, cinching effect at the waist and enhances the bust.

• Avoid: High necklines like crew necks or turtlenecks that add volume to the bust area and draw attention to the midsection.

A rectangular body shape which has similar proportions for the bust, waist and hip will benefit from adding more definition to the waist and create curves where there may be none. Sweetheart necklines are the best to do this. They will soften your look and add feminine curves to your chest. Peplum blouses or tops with V-neck are also a good option for rectangular shapes as they define your waist while drawing attention to the neckline. You can also try halter necks that will draw attention to the shoulders and create the illusion of curves around the bust.

• Avoid: Straight, boxy necklines like square or boat necks that may make the body appear even more rectangular.

An inverted triangle shape is when you have broad shoulders and a fuller bust and narrower hips. You want to downplay the width of your shoulders and create balance with your hips. Try wearing deep V-necks that will draws attention away from the shoulders and create a lengthening effect, balancing out your proportions. U-necks will also elongates your torso and draw the eye down. The unique asymmetric necklines can soften the width of your shoulders and create a visual balance between your upper and lower body.

• Avoid: Boat necks or wide necklines that can make your shoulders look even broader.

For women with a petite frame, you want necklines that help elongate your figure and add height. The best necklines to try are the V-neckline, halter and scoop necks. While V-necks will create the illusion of a longer neck and a taller frame, halter necklines draw attention to the upper body and elongate the torso. A deep scoop neckline will also help create a longer upper body.

• Avoid: High necklines like turtlenecks or crew necks, which can make your neck appear shorter and your frame more compact.

For women with a fuller bust, the best necklines are V-necks, square and scoop necks that provide support and structure while keeping the focus away from excessive volume.

• Avoid: High necklines like turtlenecks or cowl necks that add bulk and make the bust appear larger.