What Neckline Is Best for My Body Type?

What neckline is best for my body type for prom? The honest answer is this: you want a neckline that makes you feel secure, balanced, and beautiful in every photo and every step you take. Your dress can be covered in crystals, chiffon, or satin, but if the neckline is wrong for your body, the whole look feels off.

In this guide, we will walk through the best necklines for different body types and common concerns like fuller bust, smaller bust, broad shoulders, and petite height. You will also see where each neckline shows up in Jovani’s collections, so you can move from reading to actually finding your dress.

How to choose the best neckline for your body

Before we get into shapes, it helps to think about what a neckline actually does.

A neckline can:

Add or reduce width at your shoulders

Make your neck look longer or shorter

Highlight or soften your bust

Direct attention up to your face

When you are browsing prom dresses, do not just look at color and skirt shape. Stop for a second and ask:

Do I want more coverage at the bust or less

Do I want my shoulders to look softer or stronger

Do I feel better with a more open or more modest neckline

If you are not sure where to start, use your body type as a guide and then adjust based on comfort and school dress code.

Best necklines for pear shape: balance your hips

If your hips are wider than your shoulders, you likely have a pear shaped body. Your goal with a neckline is to pull the eye upward and balance the lower half.

Great necklines for pear shape:

Off shoulder necklines that open up the collarbone

Portrait or wide scoop necklines that broaden the shoulders

Sweetheart necklines with straps for support

Off shoulder styles are amazing for pear shaped girls because they frame the shoulders and collarbone in a soft, romantic way. When you pair an off shoulder top with A line prom dresses, the result is balanced, feminine, and very forgiving over the hips.

Sweetheart necklines also work well, especially when the skirt has volume. A ball gown with a structured sweetheart bodice creates a nice contrast between a defined upper body and a full skirt. This is why ball gown prom dresses are such a classic choice for pear shapes.

If you want sparkle near the neckline instead of at the hem, look for sparkly sequin prom dresses where the beading is focused on the bodice. The shimmer pulls attention up to your face while the skirt skims over your hips.

Best necklines for apple shape: lengthen and support

Apple shaped bodies usually carry more fullness around the midsection, with slimmer legs and often a fuller bust. The best neckline for an apple shape creates length and gives good support.

Flattering necklines for apple shape:

V neck necklines, shallow to deep depending on comfort

Wrap or surplice necklines that create a diagonal line

Soft scoop necklines that are not too high

A V neck is one of the best necklines for almost every body type, but it is especially friendly to apple shapes. A V neck draws the eye down the center of your body and can create a longer, leaner line. That is why V neck prom dresses show up again and again in styling guides for curvy and mid size teens.

If you prefer more coverage or have a fuller bust, look for V necks with wider straps or cap sleeves rather than skinny spaghetti straps. Pair this with gently draped skirts, like flowy prom gowns or empire prom dresses, that give room around the tummy instead of clinging to it.

Many apple shaped girls also shop in plus size prom dresses, where you will find necklines designed with proper structure, boning, and bra friendly support. Jovani focuses heavily on fit in these styles, so you feel secure even if the neckline is open.

Best necklines for hourglass figure: highlight natural curves

An hourglass figure has a defined waist with balanced bust and hips. The goal is not to hide anything, but to support your shape and make the curves look intentional, not squeezed.

Necklines that flatter an hourglass:

Sweetheart necklines with or without straps

V neck or plunge necklines with good structure

Halter necklines that frame the shoulders

A sweetheart neckline is almost made for an hourglass figure. It gives gentle roundness at the bust, shows some skin without feeling harsh, and works beautifully with fitted bodices. No surprise that sweetheart prom dresses are some of the most loved Jovani looks for girls with curves.

If you love a bolder look, you can try a deeper V or plunge neckline, especially on tight prom dresses or mermaid prom gowns that hug the body. The key is choosing designs with proper lining, cups, and boning. A strong inner structure lets you enjoy a daring neckline without worrying about slipping or constant adjusting.

Halter necklines are another great option. They show off the shoulders and upper back, which is very flattering on an hourglass body. A halter top with a fitted waist and flared or trumpet skirt can be both sleek and red carpet ready.

Best necklines for athletic or rectangle body: add curves

If your shoulders, waist, and hips are close in width, you likely have a rectangle or athletic body type. The goal is not to “fix” anything, but to add gentle curves and dimension where you want them.

Best necklines for rectangle or athletic shapes:

Scoop necklines

Sweetheart or semi sweetheart necklines

Off shoulder necklines

Soft cowl or draped necklines

A soft scoop or rounded neckline can make the chest area look fuller and softer. When combined with bodycon prom dresses or fitted column silhouettes, it helps create a more feminine line without losing that strong, athletic feel.

Off shoulder and Bardot styles are also beautiful here. They broaden the shoulder line slightly and create the illusion of more shape through the bust. Pair an off shoulder top with puffy prom dresses or tiered prom dresses if you want a playful, princess like look that feels straight from a fairytale.

If you want something modern and minimal, look at sleek satin gowns with a gentle cowl at the neckline. Many satin prom dresses use a draped cowl to add softness on a straight frame.

Best necklines for petite girls: open up the frame

Petite girls are not defined only by height, but if you are shorter, necklines that create vertical lines can help you look taller in photos and in person.

Helpful necklines for petite height:

V neck and deep V necklines

Narrow scoop necklines

Simple halter necklines

Because V necklines draw the eye down, they are very effective on petite frames. A V neck combined with long prom dresses can make your whole body look longer and more balanced. Just be sure the hem is tailored to your height so you do not trip or hide your shoes completely.

If you want a fun, dance friendly look, you can also pick short prom dresses with a slightly deeper neckline. Showing a bit more leg and a bit more neckline keeps the look light and proportional, rather than cutting your frame in half.

Petite girls often look amazing in chiffon prom dresses. The fabric moves easily and does not add bulk, so a V neck chiffon gown can float around you without swallowing your height.

Best necklines for broad shoulders or strong upper body

If you have broad shoulders, an athletic build, or you simply feel like your shoulders are the first thing people see, the right neckline can help soften and balance your upper half.

Necklines that flatter broad shoulders:

V neck or soft plunge

Halter with a narrow center

Diagonal one shoulder necklines

The best neckline for broad shoulders usually creates diagonal or vertical lines instead of a straight horizontal cut across the chest. That is why V shapes are so helpful. A V that is not too wide pulls focus to the center of your body.

A narrow halter neckline can also be very flattering. It frames the shoulders but pulls the eye inward, instead of stretching it from side to side. Many Jovani halter prom dresses use this trick, combining a slim center neckline with cut in shoulders and a defined waist.

If you love drama, a one shoulder neckline is another strong option. The diagonal line across your body breaks up broadness and adds movement. You can explore one shoulder prom dresses if you want a modern, editorial vibe for your prom photos.

Necklines for small bust vs big bust

Bust size also matters when you are choosing a prom dress neckline.

For a smaller bust:

Try sweetheart, scoop, or softly draped necklines

Look for pleating, ruching, or beading around the bust

Consider padded cups for a little extra shape

For a fuller bust:

Choose V neck, square, or high but open necklines

Look for wider straps, supportive corset bodices, and real structure

Avoid necklines that are too high and tight across the chest

If you want to create the illusion of more curves on top, embellishment is your friend. Beading, lace, or embroidery around the neckline can visually add volume. Jovani’s lace prom dresses and beaded prom dresses often use this detail to enhance the bust area in a soft, elegant way.

If you already have a full bust and want to feel supported all night, focus on pieces with built in cups and boning. Many designs in the plus size prom dresses section are engineered exactly for this, but Jovani also brings that level of structure into regular size collections, especially in corset style bodices.

How fabric and neckline work together

One detail many shoppers forget is how fabric affects the neckline.

Stiff fabrics like taffeta and brocade hold crisp necklines and sharp angles

Soft fabrics like chiffon and jersey create gentle drapes and cowls

Shiny fabrics like satin or metallic materials make the neckline the focal point

If you want the neckline to be the star of your look, a simple V or sweetheart in satin can be enough. On the other hand, if you want texture and movement, floaty chiffon prom dresses or print prom outfits with a softer neckline can give you that dreamy, romantic feel.

Final step: match neckline to how you want to feel

At the end of the day, the best neckline for your body type is the one that matches how you want to feel at prom.

Ask yourself:

Do I want to feel classic and romantic

Do I want to feel bold and red carpet inspired

Do I want something modest and comfortable for a religious school dress code

Jovani designs everything from minimalist simple prom dresses to glamorous sequin prom dresses, with necklines that fit almost every body and personality. It is completely okay to try a few different shapes in the fitting room. Sometimes the neckline you never considered becomes the one you cannot stop thinking about.

When you are ready to find your dress, explore the full range of Jovani designs, from A line prom dresses to dramatic ball gown prom dresses, and see how each neckline looks on your body.

At the end, the only rule that matters is this: if you feel amazing when you look in the mirror, you found the right neckline.

Ready to see these necklines in real life? Browse all our styles and find the dress that feels made for you in the full Prom Gowns Collection.