| Ballerina neckline A low neckline associated with strapless or spaghetti-strapped garments Boat Neck / Bateau Neck A high, wide, often straight, neckline running from shoulder to shoulder. Usually has the same front and back and tapers to a point on the shoulders. *Cowl Neck A piece of material attached to neckline that drapes loosely from shoulder to shoulder at front and/or back. *Crew neck A round neck that fits close to the base of the neck. In knitwear, crew neck tops may feature a ribbed band around the neckline (e.g., the classic T-shirt). *Diamond neck A diamond-shaped cutout that fastens at the front or back neckline. Other cutout neckline shapes include the tear-drop and keyhole. *Décolletage/Décolleté A plunging neckline that reveals your cleavage, it’s often used in off-the-shoulder designs Draped neck Neck with soft pleats that can be arranged in various ways. Draped neckline Neckline made up of a series of soft overlapping folds created by the fabric of the bodice. *Dropped shoulders Characterized by the shoulder-sleeve seam falling off the shoulder. *Florentine neck A wide square neckline extending to the shoulders. *Horseshoe neck A deep, rounded scoop neck that resembles a horseshoe. *Jewel neck A high round neckline that rests at the base of the neck. *Notch neck A round neckline with a small triangular cutout in the front center. *Off-the-Shoulder A neckline which lies just over the top of the bust with shoulders uncovered. *Portrait A neckline that frames your shoulders and face while accentuating the bustline. It’s often gathered at the center with a brooch or other ornamentation. Plunging neckline Neckline that usually ends in a V and is very low in front or back. Round neck Rounded neck fitting close to the wearer’s neck. Sabrina A neckline that crosses and covers your collarbone. Scoop Neck An open, low, U-shaped or round neckline. Square neck Neckline with a square neck that reveals the upper part of the chest. Sweetheart Neckline An open, curved neckline with a scalloped edge similar to the top of a heart. V-shaped neck/back Neckline with edges coming together at mid-chest in a V shape. |
| Here are the terms for various collars, neck lines and neck treatments. |
| Bertha collar Collar made of a strip of fabric of variable width and attached to the edge of a neckline or round neck. Bow collar Collar made of a long strip of soft fabric sewn onto a round neck; it can be tied in front in various ways. Collaret Piece of delicate, pleated or gathered fabric that adorns the neck of a dress; its shape has varied greatly from one period to another. Cowl neck Turtleneck that is large enough to be draped over the head, making a kind of hood that frames the face. Dog ear collar Turned-down collar characterized by long, fairly wide points, which are rounded at the tips. |
| Resources for definitions: visual.merriam-webster.com dressking.com mollybloom.com edressme.com |
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| Jabot Decoration made up of one or two pieces of fine soft pleated fabric; it is attached at the base of the neck and spreads out over the chest. Mandarin collar Stand-up collar with rounded upper points that come together at the neck, forming a V. Notched collar A two-piece collar that can be only worn open. Peter Pan collar Flat collar of uniform width with rounded tips; it is sewn onto a fairly open neck. Polo collar Turned-down pointed collar fastened with a buttoned placket, which ends at mid-chest. Sailor collar Has square flap in back and long lapels extending over the chest, fastened to a V-neck. Out of modesty, the plunging neckline is often concealed with a piece of fabric. Shawl collar Wide turned-down collar with long rounded lapels that partially cross in front. Shirt collar Collar with rounded or tapered points that is sewn onto the neck and turned down along a fold line, which is higher in back than in front. Stand-up collar Collar made of a narrow strip of fabric that sticks up from a round neck; its edges meet in front but do not fasten. Tailored collar Collar whose fold covers the back of the neck; its lapels form a V where they cross on the chest. Turtleneck High-necked collar that is folded over; it is usually snug around the neck and does not fasten. Wing collar A collar that covers the shoulder seams of bodices. |