Last month, I had two clients come in wearing almost identical blouses – same color, same fabric, same price point. But one looked absolutely polished while the other seemed to disappear into her clothes. The only difference? The neckline. It blew my mind all over again how much this tiny detail matters.
Your neckline frames your face like a picture frame. Think about it: everything above your neckline competes for attention, while everything below it just supports. The wrong neckline can make your neck look shorter, your face rounder, or your shoulders narrower. The right one? It can give you a neck like Audrey Hepburn and a presence like Oprah.
Three Professional Powerhouses
For the polished, professional woman who wants to nail it every time, these are my go-to recommendations:
Moderate V-Neck
This is my ride-or-die for professional settings. Not plunging, not too conservative – just a nice, clean V that elongates the neck and creates vertical lines. It works whether you have a short neck or a long one. My rule of thumb? If you can see cleavage, it’s too low for the boardroom. A moderate V hits that sweet spot of polished but not prudish.
Crew Neck
The classic crew neck gets a bad rap for being boring, but done right, it’s quietly powerful. It creates a horizontal line that can actually balance out a very long neck and draw attention up to your face. The key is getting the fit right – too tight and it looks like you raided your teenager’s closet; too loose and you look like you’re wearing a potato sack. I especially love a crew neck in structured fabrics for presentations. You might add a little interest with a button tab or piece of lace at the neckline – especially if it’s peeking out from under a blazer.
Mock Turtleneck
This is my secret weapon for instant sophistication. A mock turtle (not full turtle – that’s too overwhelming) creates a sleek column while still being comfortable. It’s perfect for those “I need to look really pulled together” days. Plus, it hides any neck concerns you might have – wrinkles, sun damage, or that weird neck thing that happens to all of us over 40. Bonus: it’s great for Zoom calls because it frames your face beautifully on camera.
The Ones to Skip (For Professional Settings)
I love a good scoop neck or boat neck for the right occasion. But for that polished professional image we’re going for? Scoop necks can gape awkwardly, and boat necks make most people look like they’re wearing a life preserver. And don’t get me started on off-the-shoulder tops in business meetings. Unless you’re in a very creative field, save those for happy hour.
The next time you’re getting dressed, pause at the mirror and really look at your neckline. Is it doing you favors or fighting against you? Sometimes switching the silhouette is all it takes to go from looking fine to looking fantastic.
Professional Image Consultation