Should large busted ladies avoid high necks?

[TableNiner]

For what seems like forever, the advice for big norked ladies has been to avoid high necks, which can create a ‘shelf’ and go for v neck or low scoop neck. Whilst I don’t think this is not true, I’m starting to feel less stylish in that type of top.

I am a 30FF with a long, slightly ageing face and body and I feel like having more skin exposed drags my face down and it also looks less ‘sharp’ and modern. Seems to look better if I actually cover up around my décolletage and break the line up with a blazer or cardigan. Also cosier for this time of year, I wouldn’t go as a high as a roll neck as I feel like I am being strangled but something like this which previously I would have avoided like the plague: www.jaeger.co.uk/compact-knit-t-shirt-47b716

I know there’s the option of a big necklace but not sure statement necklaces are all that fashionable at the moment.

Does anyone else have this dilemma and what are you wearing these days?

Rolo/ polo next no
The top in your pic is fine

Showing my age, but Trinny and Suzanna always recommend a v neckline for big boobs and to avoid high necks.
Ive always followed it as a high neck does look terrible on me.
Looking back at the books, it does look a bit WTF were they thinking in terms of fashion. But at the time it was all fashionable!
I do think their core principles regarding body shape, necklines, length and proportion do stand the test of time.

I think I look good in those and wear turtlenecks as well. I think my bra is EE, though, and I’m almost 6ft so perhaps that makes a difference.

I find cowl necks look good, if I can ever find them in the shops

A chunky necklace makes them more wearable.
I’m hating this trend ,ive got broad shoulders and this style make me look very wide.

I'm exactly the same. Used to live in v necks but they look very dated now.

I have loads of jumpers, tops and dresses with that neckline now. I'm a size 16 and 36E and think they look fine. I often wear a blazer or a leather jacket with them though

I also tend to colour block for my whole body - eg black jumper with black trousers or skirt - so the boob / waist thing isn't so obvious

Following with interest because I have a similar problem.

V necks are flattering to my figure, but look very dated (and are hard to find now in the shops!).

I have a large tummy as well, so high necks tend to make me look like one big fat blob on legs.

I’m a 34GG, currently breastfeeding so bigger than my normal, but haven’t worn a roll neck since the 90s and steer clear of anything high necked to avoid the shelf. All my tops and dresses are easy access at the moment so v neck or wrap style. I’ve got a couple of gorgeous jumpers from asos recently that are wrap style but not too low as I don’t want cleavage on show and it’s been naffing cold. Also a fan of cowl necks, love a bit of a drape.

I’m big of nork (30g) and find any sort of round neck or turtle/polo neck looks awful on me. I go for v neck, cowl or boat neck. Mint velvet tends to do cowl neck but I wait for the sales!!

I've big boobs and wear v necks. I don't think they'd looked dated

I can't wear a scoop neck though. They look ghastly on me.

Carol who does the weather has big boobs so I like to see what she wears!!

The idea of a v neck is to separate the boobs into two rather than one large entity. Anything which divides will work. A necklace, a wrap top, a cardigan, a scarf. Just divide the boobs!

I like a boat neck!

Although I definitely do wear a polo or turtle neck as well...

I really like this sort of cowl neck -

www.romanoriginals.co.uk/cowl-neck-34-sleeve-top-19045208

Not sure about the print but that sort of neck line really suits large busts

Boat neck works. The width of the neck balances out the boobs somehow. I find the neckline you linked to very unflattering on me. 30HH.

Yes! I was just about to suggest that, Missillusioned. Boat necks for the win!

@Lionsleepstonight Even Trina has changed her advice these days if you watch her makeover videos!

@hopeishere I also keep an eye on Carol, lovely figure!

@supadupapupascupa Divide and conquer...

@Settlersofcatan Yes that neckline looks perfect but the patterns not so much

I think it’s just interesting to realise the old advice isn’t necessarily set in stone, but of course the rest of your shape has a major bearing. I have a very long neck and back, maybe works better

Trinny not Trina

I'm a size 12/14 with 32F boobs. There is no way I can do high necklines.

V necks are ugly. I wouldn be seen dead in one. I do like a good wrap top but I have quite a small waist (compared to boobs) so that helps. I'm not sure if wrap tops work so well if you're an apple shape.

As others have said, a statement necklace or some way of breaking up the bust area always helps.

I wear a 30 GG bra and I don’t think you’d believe it if you saw me clothed. I seem to have stumbled, on a couple of bras that suit my shape, are comfortable and minimise my assets!. I live in high necked sweaters like roll necks but avoid what I would call a skinny polo neck and anything too tight, not because of my norks but more because of my midriff and the way tight fitting tops cling to the roll of fat.
I also love a boat neck although I sometimes have trouble with them because I have narrow shoulders and the neckline is often too wide.
I’ve.never been one for a v neck but I do see the reasoning behind them being flattering for those of us with a larger chest. My problem is I don’t like to see a lot of cleavage and it’s hard to avoid if you are constantly bending down.

I've got 32dds and I wear high neck tops sometimes. They aren't unflattering at all. My mum always told me not to wear them but I didn't listen to that advice. I love scoop neck and boat neck tops. Wrap tops look nice but are impractical as my boobs always seem to fall out.

All high necks, including the one you posted, make me look like my boobs are somewhere around my waistline. You can wear a deep V top on top of a high neck though, I find:
stylecaster.com/turtleneck-sweater-under-dress/

I feel like this advice came about when most women wore the wrong bra size (my mum insists she's a 38D but in reality she'd be something like 34H if she got measured properly!)...

I'm a 32GG size 12/14 top and v-necks look really strange on me, I think partly because I'm short as well... I mostly wear round necks (not as high as a crew neck though) but got a couple of turtleneck tops again this year for winter and actually think they look great! I mostly wear layers anyway so that will balance things out (an open cardi on top of a turtleneck for example).

@TableNiner I think you have also cracked part of the issue: it also depends on the length of your actual neck.

Big norks plus short neck mean high-necked tops look not so great, at least on me.

Big norks plus long neck mean you probably have more leeway because it won't look like said norks start immediately under your chin.

And it all depends on individual preferences, the colour of the top and what it does for your face, etc. anyway.

I think big chest = v neck is far too presciptive and a bit dated.

I'm an E cup and prefer voop, bateau or high round necklines.

I think the key is a really good bra so that boobs are well supported and sitting high enough.

V necks, big boobs and a terrible droopy bra looks awful IMO.

It's bollocks & T&S are crap

32ee here on a 10/12 hourglass frame & I look best in high/roll/turtlenecks

I've also been a designer/garment tech/seamstress all of my working life, including very high end. This is not a rule I've ever followed & I don't know anyone in my trade who would. Too many other factors at play as to what looks good on people for this formula to work for everyone