Do you keep wondering to yourself: hair up or hair down? Well, we want to help you with this age-old question by suggesting the best hairstyles for each neckline type you probably already have in your closet. Whether it’s a classic round neckline top or a daring halter dress, you need to know which hairdo works best with each of them. Take a look at these eight necklines and some ideal hairstyles that pair perfectly.
How to Wear Your Hair with All Types of Dresses
Whether you need to wear an elegant gown or a simple summer dress, dressing your hair accordingly will help you achieve a beautiful, well-rounded look. Here are the main rules on how to achieve the best match along with the head-turn-worthy examples.
1. Side-Swept Curls for a V-Neck Dress
Instagram / @hairandmakeupbysteph
V-neck dresses are usually 50% cool and 50% sexy, so we recommend a hairstyle that matches that vibe. If you part your hair to the side, a side-swept look could be just what you need to add a feminine touch to a V-neck outfit. Using curls and braids, create an eye-catching look like this one.
2. Twirled Side Bun Updo for a V-Neck
Sometimes a V-neck can be a little bit edgy, so, to make it look more feminine, opt for a brighter color, such as a platinum balayage, and a flowy hairstyle. A half up half down look with your tresses pulled back and flowing is the ideal hairstyle for V-neck dresses. For a more festive occasion, an elegant knotted updo owith long face-framing layers will look great and stay put all night.
Instagram / @hair_vera
3. Fancy Knotted Chignon a Turtleneck
A perfect combination for a winter office party with a few close colleagues, a turtleneck dress and a sophisticated knotted chignon make a great pair. Spice it up with pins, jewels, or, as in this case, slinky metal chains.
Instagram / @i_pasechnik
4. High Neckline Dress with Old Hollywood Waves
An updo is the best hairstyle for dresses with high necklines, but aren’t the rules made to be broken? Vintage hairstyles are classics, which is why they don’t compete with an elegant neckline. Try this if you have medium-length or long hair and want to keep it down.
Instagram / @tatiana.wladi
5. Fishtail Braided Updo for High Geometric Neckline
Whether you have a geometric neckline on your dress or something tender and lacy like this one, keep your hair up and out of the way. Try a slightly disheveled braided updo to quickly upgrade your outfit.
Instagram / @bighairedhannah
6. Asymmetrical Rolled Updo for a Halter Dress
Halters have a loop top that wraps around the neck, and they are very flattering on women with long necks. Hairstyles with long hair to match the dress can vary, as long as they don’t cover up the halter! Hair accessories take any hairstyle from 0 to 60 very quickly, but they also work to keep intricate hairstyles, such as this one, in place. Bedazzle your next hairdo!
Instagram / @reneemarieacademy
7. Tousled and Pinned Side Updo for a Round Neck Gown
Round necklines are the simplest and most common you will find. They suit all women and make room for details in the rest of the dress, as opposed to bringing attention to the neckline itself. Perfect for a New Year’s Eve or a festive party, the tousled updo pinned off to one side brings a bit of intrigue to the balanced round necklines most commonly found in dresses.
Instagram / @lucienmoor
8. Romantic Messy Bun for a Boat Neck Dress
The boat neck dress, or the bateau neckline, lowers a bit at the neck and rises towards the shoulders, offering a sneak-peak into the décolletage. For the top to be the star, longer locks should be put back or up, so as to not cut off the neckline. Keep the hairstyle loose if you want a romantic edge to the overall feel.
Instagram / @anyaganea
9. Messy Ponytail for a Long Sleeve Dress
With a casual long sleeve dress, think of a mid or high ponytail with messy bangs and waves like this one. This hairstyle does make room for bold makeup and earrings and shows off the details of a high neckline. Rock the same confidence as Kim Kardashian, known to sport high necklines with a sleek ponytail.
Instagram / @alanamevissen
10. Voluminous Dutch Hawk for a Turtleneck Dress
Play up a turtleneck dress by bringing back the edge to an otherwise discreet neckline. Bold hair and a simple outfit is a match made in heaven.
Instagram / @theconfessionsofahairstylist
11. Retro Hairstyle for a Sweetheart Neckline
Sweetheart necklines are simple and feminine and work with a variety of hairstyles. However, they are most commonly chosen for prom or wedding dresses, which makes it the perfect occasion for a special hairstyle. The failproof recipe of a princess in an elegant dress with a sweetheart neckline? Long soft curls, cascading over the shoulders.
Instagram / @lilithmoonlife
12. Double Braid and Ponytail
A boat neck dress is great for widening the shoulders and deserves a hairstyle that shows it off. Play up your best side by adding a double braid into a classy ponytail with a bouffant. Introducing some face-framing pieces and voluminous curls into the look with many details pulls it all together.
Instagram / @missysueblog
13. Teased Bun Updo for a Turtleneck Dress
Keep the hairstyle playful and relaxed to contrast a somewhat formal look of a turtleneck. Turtleneck dresses make a statement when you keep the hair classic, either up or down – your choice. Any relaxed hairstyle is going to play down the outfit. Because a turtleneck can often come across as “stiff,” it’s best to pair it with something sexy.
Instagram / @hair_vera
14. Elegant Vintage Dress and Updo
A lot of vintage dresses you may find, like the rockabilly phase, sport halter necklines. Because of its 60s vibe, things like center parts and hairpins complement that overall look effortlessly. That’s why pairing it with an elegant vintage updo pulls the look together no matter what.
Instagram / @beautiful_expectation
15. Brown Braid with a Halter Dress
A halter neckline looks great with short hair, a sleek bob in particular. You can fake a short bob by pinning your hair under and using decorative clips. Anything longer than the chin length and reaching the shoulder length should be put in a low bun or in big curls to keep the hater in plain sight. If you have long thick hair, you may opt for a crown braid hairstyle to keep the hair away from your neckline.
Instagram / @reneemarieacademy
16. Strapless Dress with Undone Waves
Off-the-shoulder dresses with a straight-across neckline are sassy and give a sexy glimpse of the collarbone that you might love to show off. However, because they can leave you looking bare, sometimes, the best option is au naturel. If you have medium to long hair, keep the locks flowing and utilize day-old curls for a natural look. Side-swept hair is very eye-catching and pairs beautifully with lace off-the-shoulder dresses, too, especially asymmetrical ones.
Instagram / @hairby_chrissy
17. Round Neck and Accent Braid with Hair Rings
One-sided hairstyles benefit from rounded necklines because they do not distract from the asymmetry of such ‘dos. This accent braid is ringed for a bohemian touch that we love.
Instagram / @styledbynadia
18. Big, Beachy Texture for a Round Neck Dress
Round necklines are simple and sweet. A variety of hairstyles can work here depending on the dress, but letting your hair down to flow around the neckline is a perfect way to spice things up. A beachy texture and full wispy bangs are easy to achieve with just a touch of the right product. May your cascading hair be the eye-candy!
Instagram / @lucianarose
19. Off-The-Shoulder Dress with Messy Braids and Curls
If you wear a sleek and sexy off-the-shoulder gown, try a bushy ponytail or a soft up-do. And if you wear a strapless dress to create a romantic look, play it up with two braids running down either side. This hairstyle is all about carefree summer vibes. The feminine look of the dress pairs well with the innocent bohemian feel of messy braids.
Instagram / @kirstyannehair
20. Voluminous Bun with Spagetti Straps
Try not to cover delicate spaghetti straps. Instead, style a half-bun or a playful braid to pull your hair away from your face, and let the hair fall down your back. If you decide to put it up because you want to go for a bohemian vibe, a loose bun pulls it together.
Instagram / @kirstyannehair
21. V-Neck Dress with a Half Up Half Down Hairstyle
Need a relaxed yet put-together ‘do for your V-neck top? Elongate the total look by adding height to your hairstyle with a fun and stylish half up half down bun. If you prefer an updo, you may go for anything between a low chignon or a top-knot bun, depending on whether you want to dress up or dress down the entire look.
Instagram / @prephair
22. Half Up Bandana Pony for Exposed Shoulders
There is something so utterly feminine about a high ponytail and exposed shoulders. Wispy pieces and wavy hairstyles add intrigue to the sweetheart neckline. Pair it with bold earrings and a bandana to add color and a touch of fun.
Instagram / @emmachenartistry
23. Sweetheart Neckline with a Textured Lob
Updos and bob haircuts work great to keep a sweetheart neckline dress elegant and show off the décolletage. Style your spunky textured bob with a deep side part for the win. The juxtaposition of sweet and edgy is to-die-for and the simplicity of a bare décolletage makes us swoon.
Instagram / @headstudio
24. Sleek Floral Bun Updo
Boat neck dresses and tops are elegant in nature. Royal ladies often wear them, which is why pairing the bateau neckline with a sleek updo never fails. Add a floral accent if you lack length for a voluminous bun or just because you love flowers in your hair. If you have shoulder-length hair, a simple voluminous curl is perfect because it leads the eyes straight to all the beautiful details about your neckline.
Instagram / @zehnmakeup
Hope you have enjoyed our recommendations from the tried and true neckline-plus-hairstyle matches that seem to be bulletproof. Feel free to use this knowledge to style an epic outfit and tresses that show off the neckline instead of hiding it.
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