We all want our clothes to fit and flatter, right? A lot of that comes down to creating a balanced silhouette. The clothes we choose can either emphasize or minimize certain features, and that’s especially true when it comes to necklines.
When we talk about “broad shoulders,” we’re not necessarily talking about size. It’s more about proportion. Are your shoulders wider than your hips? If so, you might find that certain necklines make you feel a little top-heavy or boxy.
The good news is that with a few simple styling tips, you can easily find necklines that balance your proportions and make you feel confident and stylish. This guide will help you discover the most flattering styles for broad shoulders and help you understand how to make the most of your wardrobe.
Flattering Necklines for Broad Shoulders
If you’re looking to soften or downplay broad shoulders, the neckline of your top or dress can make a big difference. Here are a few necklines that tend to flatter broader shoulders.
Scoop Neck
Scoop necklines are wider and more open than a crew neck and create a visual curve that softens a strong shoulder line. They’re also great for drawing attention to your décolletage.
You can find scoop necks in tops, sweaters, and dresses. A scoop neck tank dress is a great warm-weather choice, while a scoop neck sweater can be a cozy option for cooler days.
V-Neck
V-necks are a classic choice for creating a longer, leaner look. The “V” shape draws the eye up and down, minimizing the width of your shoulders.
V-necks come in different depths. A deeper V is more dramatic, while a shallower V is more subtle. Both can be flattering, so it’s really up to your personal preference.
Asymmetric Necklines
Asymmetric necklines, like a one-shoulder top or dress, add visual interest and create a sense of balance. The dynamic, diagonal lines of an asymmetric neckline lead the eye on a captivating journey and promote a sense of movement.
Halter Necklines
Halter necklines draw attention inward and upward, showcasing your shoulders while providing a supportive and flattering fit. A halter top or dress is a stylish choice for warm weather, especially if you choose one that provides good support and coverage.
Necklines to Avoid
While there’s no reason you must avoid any particular style, some necklines may emphasize your shoulders more than others. Here are some necklines you might want to think twice about.
Off-the-Shoulder Necklines
Off-the-shoulder styles can make broad shoulders look even broader because they expose the entire shoulder area. As one stylist notes, “Please steer clear of off-the-shoulder necklines as this style tends to expose the shoulders excessively, potentially amplifying their width.”
Think of how a horizontal stripe across your chest would make it look wider. Off-the-shoulder necklines do the same thing for your shoulders.
Boat Necklines
Similar to off-the-shoulder necklines, boat necks create a horizontal line that draws attention to the width of your shoulders. In the words of one fashion expert, “If you’ve got broader shoulders, I’d say it’s best to skip boat necks.”
If you’re drawn to the classic simplicity of a boat neck, try a scoop neck or a wide V-neck instead.
Spaghetti Straps
Spaghetti straps can make your shoulders look disproportionately wide because they offer so little coverage. As a stylist put it, “If you want to achieve a more balanced look and make your broad shoulders less of a focus for your outfit, then you should stay away from the spaghetti straps.”
If you like the sleeveless look, try a slightly thicker strap or a sleeveless top with more coverage across the shoulder.
Balancing the Silhouette with Tops and Dresses
If you’ve got broad shoulders and you’d like to soften or minimize them, there are cuts and styles that can help create a more balanced look.
Peplum Tops
To make your upper body look more proportionate, you might like peplum tops. The flared waistline on a peplum top adds volume to the hips, creating a visual balance.
Raglan Sleeves
Raglan sleeves have a diagonal seam that starts at the collarbone and goes under the arm. This style can soften the shoulder line because the diagonal seam minimizes how broad your shoulders look. You can find raglan sleeves on tops, sweaters, and sweatshirts.
Fit-and-Flare Dresses
Fit-and-flare dresses are great for broad shoulders because the full skirt balances the upper body. They also help create an hourglass shape, drawing the eye to the waist.
Wrap Dresses
The cinched waist on a wrap dress, created when you wrap the dress around your body and tie it, creates a focal point at the waist. Wrap dresses add volume to the hips, balancing the shoulders.
A-Line Dresses
A-line dresses are brilliant because they play with visual focus while still looking structural. The flared skirt adds volume to the lower body, balancing the upper body.
Bottoms and Lower Body Styling for Balance
If you feel your shoulders are wider than you’d like, consider balancing your silhouette with the right choice of pants and skirts.
Wide-Leg Pants
Wide-leg pants are a tried-and-true way to harmonize your look if you feel your shoulders are too broad. The volume in the legs balances your upper body, creating a more proportional shape.
You could try flowing palazzo pants in silk or linen for a dramatic effect or go with structured wide-leg trousers in denim or corduroy for a more casual vibe.
Mermaid Skirts
Mermaid skirts are practically made for women with broad shoulders, thanks to their fitted structure through the hips and thighs. The flared hem adds volume to your lower body, which balances your wider upper half.
Straight-Leg Pants
The streamlined silhouette of straight-leg pants—extending from hip to ankle—acts as a visual anchor, drawing the eye downward and creating a more balanced look.
Try dark-wash denim for a classic look or experiment with different colors and fabrics, like tailored wool pants or casual chinos.
White Denim
Whether in the form of pants or skirts, the radiant canvas of white denim creates a purposeful visual contrast, drawing attention to your lower body and minimizing the focus on broad shoulders.
What to avoid: Bottoms and details that emphasize broad shoulders
The goal is balance. When you’re choosing clothes, you want to think about creating a pleasing overall silhouette, not accentuating your broader shoulders.
Skinny jeans
As one fashion blogger put it, “Avoiding skinny jeans means you’re keeping things proportional and not shining too much light on those broader shoulders.” Consider a bootcut or flared leg instead.
Pencil skirts
Pencil skirts can also create an unbalanced look. As one stylist advises, “To those blessed broad-shouldered ladies, I highly suggest avoiding pencil skirts.” Try an A-line skirt or a skirt with ruffles or other details at the hem.
Cigarette pants
Similar to skinny jeans and pencil skirts, cigarette pants can make your shoulders look even broader. As one stylist wrote, “You might want to skip cigarette pants for a couple of good reasons.” Instead, look for wide-leg trousers or palazzos.
Padded shoulders
This one should be obvious. “Here’s another friendly advice I have for you – never go for tops with padded shoulders,” one fashionista advises. Padded shoulders will only exaggerate the width of your shoulders.
Voluminous sleeves and shoulder details
Sleeves that are too puffy or tops with a lot of embellishment around the shoulders can also draw unwanted attention to the shoulder area. “Another tip I’ve got here for you is to go easy on sleeves with too much volume,” one style expert cautions. “Those tops with shoulder details may look interesting and eye-catching, but I’ve seen that those extra embellishments or details tend to draw attention right where we might not want it, messing with the overall balance.”
Other tips for styling broad shoulders
Beyond necklines, there are other things you can do to make the most of your figure:
- Keep sleeves simple. Avoid ruffles, puff sleeves, or anything that adds extra volume to your shoulders.
- Be careful with statement tops. Anything that draws the eye to your upper body may make your shoulders seem wider.
- Define your waist. Adding definition at your waist creates curves and balances your proportions.
- Use long necklaces. Long necklaces draw the eye down, which can also help balance your silhouette.
Final Thoughts
Knowing your body proportions and choosing clothes that create a balanced silhouette can make a big difference in how you feel and look. When you have wider shoulders, certain necklines are especially flattering, while others can make your shoulders appear even broader.
Remember, these are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules. Personal style always comes first. Don’t be afraid to break the “rules” if something feels right to you.
The best way to find out what works best for you is to experiment with different styles and see what makes you feel the most confident and comfortable. After all, the most stylish thing you can wear is confidence!