An old time favorite, the asymmetrical neckline is back. In the past year, the trend was seen in the collections of no less than Tom Ford, Christian Dior, Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren, just to name a few. It then comes as no surprise that it has since made several appearances on red carpets, celebrity events and street style images. A big summer trend, it’s still going strong as the year comes to an end, with a continued presence in the most recent ready to wear collections shown by designers Oscar de la Renta, David Koma, Brandon Maxwell and Alaïa. There’s no question that it’s the next style you’ll want to wear yourself.
There are of course many different neckline styles for you to choose from. The strapless neckline is arguably the most common style for formal evening dresses. It leaves the neckline and arms completely bare and can be fabulously revealing, depending on the particular cut and how low it falls both at the front and at the back. Other style options for those who want to bare their shoulder but perhaps not as much skin, are the strappy V-neckline or a halter top, which looks particularly appealing if you have strong, broad shoulders. Now if you prefer to be a little more covered up or not bare your arms, try a crew neckline, which sits very close to the neck. Should that, however, feel a little too constricted, a simple round neckline or a wider boat neck give more emphasis to your collarbones. Other style alternatives that you can choose from are a U-neck or V-neck with varying depths, which equally emphasize your collarbones and depending on how low you choose, can also highlight your décolletage. So, with all of these options, why choose the asymmetrical neckline?
The asymmetrical neckline or more specifically, the one-sided neckline or one shoulder top, is particularly eye-catching and versatile, appropriate for a wide range of occasions. It’s perfect for those who want to show some skin but not too much. It’s both provocative yet demure, slightly revealing yet still conservative, giving just a little tease of something more. During the 80’s and 90’s, Princess Diana wore an assortment of dresses with an asymmetrical neckline to numerous events, looking both fashion forward and elegant at the same time. While there are many variations of the neckline, for both dresses and tops, it’s flattering for everyone and a refreshing alternative to the more common off shoulder and strapless styles.
Whether it’s a wide asymmetrical neckline or one with a thin spaghetti strap, a single short sleeve, or even a long sleeve, depending on the overall style of the dress and when paired with the right accessories, it can give you a range of looks. Go for sweet and sophisticated one day, wearing a short pastel pink dress, to bold and edgy the next day, in a fitted black gown. Not yet convinced? Just ask Gemma Chan, one of today’s hottest Hollywood stars. The actress, who plays the style icon in the Crazy Rich Asians film, is just as stylish in real life. The asymmetrical neckline has been a go-to style choice for the actress, who has recently been inducted into the famed Vanity Fair Best Dressed list. And she’s not the only one. Everyone from Cara Delevingne and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid have been spotted in both casual and dressed up versions of the trend. Follow in their best dressed footsteps in an asymmetrical dress of your own.
A few things to remember when wearing this trend:
- It can be a little tricky to wear a necklace with this trend. It’s usually a good idea to leave your neck bare when choosing an asymmetrical neckline
- A pair of fabulous statement earrings can look great when worn with this neckline
- If you’re wearing a dress with a fitted asymmetrical bodice, a formal belt can complete your look
- For dresses with a loose asymmetrical bodice, try a bracelet or rings instead of the belt
- If you’re feeling brave, try a brooch to dress up your one-sided neckline
With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s the perfect opportunity to expand your wardrobe and your style credentials with your own take on this trend.
