High neck

Also called: Mock neck, Funnel neck, Halter high neck (when the shoulders are bare)

Highlights and balances

Highlights

Draws the eye up to the face
Shows the shoulders and arms when sleeveless

Balances

Lengthens the look of a short neck when cut with bare shoulders

Wear it when

Events it suits

Pairs with

Silhouettes: Column, Sheath, Shift, Two-piece
Sleeves: Sleeveless, Long sleeve
Fabrics: Crepe, Lace

Avoid if

You plan to wear a statement necklace
The weather is very hot and the fabric is heavy

Covered and modern at once; an updo or statement earrings balance the coverage.

A high neck is a neckline that closes up near the throat, so fabric runs unbroken from one shoulder to the other with no chest or collarbone on view. It gives full coverage at the front and still looks modern. You will find it on listings for evening gowns, mother of the bride dresses and sleek cocktail styles.

How to spot a high neck

On a hanger, look at the top edge of the bodice. If it stands at or near the base of the neck and hides the collarbones completely, it is a high neck. A listing that says “halter high neck” means the front still climbs to the throat, but the armholes are cut in so the shoulders are bare.

Two necklines get mixed up with it:

Jewel: a jewel neckline is a round opening, like a T-shirt collar with no band, that leaves a little skin showing at the base of the neck as a frame for a necklace.
Halter: a halter neckline relies on straps that fasten behind the neck and leaves the back bare. A high neck is defined by the covered front, not by how it fastens.

Wearing a high neck well

Straight silhouettes suit it best. A sheath, a column or a shift continues the long vertical line that starts at the throat, and a two-piece adds a contrast of skin lower down. Sleeveless versions show the shoulders and arms and balance the covered chest. Long sleeves give full coverage for a formal or business setting.

For fabric, start with crepe, which drapes cleanly and keeps the neckline crisp. Lace adds texture without showing skin. In very hot weather, choose a lighter fabric, because a heavy one closed at the throat gets warm fast.

For a black tie gala, try a sleeveless floor-length crepe column with a high neck. Wear your hair in an updo and add statement earrings. Skip the necklace and let the neckline do that work.

FAQ

Is a high neck formal?

It can be. It suits black tie, formal, cocktail, business formal and semi-formal codes, so the fabric and hem length set the level. A floor-length crepe reads evening, and a knee-length shift reads daytime.

Can I wear a necklace with a high neck?

A statement necklace competes with the neckline, so leave it at home. Bold earrings or a sleek updo draw the same attention to your face without crowding the collar.

Does a high neck suit a short neck?

Any neck can wear one. Cut with bare shoulders, a high neck lengthens the look of the neck, because the open shoulder line gives the eye more room. You can compare it with other cuts in the necklines glossary.