Evergreen and fabulous ethnic suits are one of the most versatile and practical female outfits. Just like their myriad names – Indian suit, Salwar suit, Pakistani Suit, ethnic dress etc. – they have tons of variations. Umpteen designs, cuts, fits, styles, flares, embellishments are available in suits.

Salwar Kameez sets comprise of a top tunic – Kameez/kurta; a pair of bottoms – loosely named Salwar. Salwar Suit designs keep changing with trends and fashion seasons, but the basics remain the same. Indian ethnic suits are generally tailored or customized. You can choose sleeves-styles, kameez lengths, neck designs, silhouettes, as per your body type and likes.

You must choose necklines carefully, as they are important for styling a flattering look. Plus, it’s pretty exciting to play with front neckline designs – with tweaks in neck designs, you can give chic, bohemian, casual, formal or retro appeal to your kurta.

To help you choose the best neckline for your Indian ethnic suit kameez, we bring you 20 gorgeous and timelessly elegant suit neck designs for suits’ front necklines.

*The write-up comes with a save-able Infographic that will be a handy reference for you!

A. Classic Shapes

  1. Round neckline

 

Round Neckline

One among the most classic neck shapes, this is a versatile neckline, which can be flaunted on all occasions, by women of all ages and shapes. Just tweak the width of the round shape – and you are good to go. Wear a deep round to show off your neck as well as a stunning neck-piece, but avoid it for office-wear and formal suits – and in Indo-Western suits. Skinny or tall women should also avoid deep-cut, round necks. This neckline works very well in sari blouses and lehenga cholis.

  1. U neckline

 

U Neckline

Ones who don’t like the neckline to be broad from the shoulder area can opt for a U-neck, instead of a round one. This neckline is deep like a round, but is cut in a more closed-shape that resembles the alphabet U. Looks great on women with broad shoulders and heavy bust. It is a good style for regular wear suits and office wear salwar kameez.

  1. Broad Round neckline

 

Broad Round Neckline

Unlike the U-shape, this one is for those divas, who are not afraid to show some skin and sassy attitude. Broad round- as the name suggests – is broad on the shoulder area as well as the décolletage. It is also a style preferred by North Indian women, and is seen commonly in kameez of Patiala suits and churidar suits. Young women also like to flaunt it on dressy palazzo suits and Indo-western suits.

  1. Square neckline –

 

Square Neckline

This one is a structured take on the classic neck shapes. Apart from all sorts of suits and kurtas, this also looks good on saree blouses, gowns and cholis. Within square neckline too – there are many variations, where a less broad but deep one is a rectangle, while a broad one at shoulders that tapers as it dips is the quadrangle or trapezium shaped. Too much of geometry – but quite pretty in Indian wear!

  1. V- neckline

 

V- neckline

As the name suggests, this neckline has a V-shaped cut – which may either have severe, straight lines or rounded, curvy ones. V shape creates a merging line at the end – with a broad top – and suits women with short necks and chubby faces. God-sent for women with broad shoulders, heavy busts and stocky torsos, this is a flattering one. However, avoid it if you are skinny, have narrow shoulders or flat bust-line. Or, choose the rounded V, instead of a severe one.

  1. Sweetheart neckline

 

Sweetheart Neckline

Another popular, classic neck shape, sweetheart is a variation to square neck with a pointed, tapering bottom. It gives the double benefit – that of a square, wide-cut neckline and a defining, skimming V at the decolletage. Perfect for suits with heavy embroidery and distinctive dupattas, sweetheart may have severe or slightly curvy lines.  Women of most body shapes – for all occasions can wear this neckline. It’s a great choice, if you want to show off a necklace. Don’t get a broad sweetheart, if you are uncomfortable in deep-cut styles.

  1. Paan/ Betel leaf shaped neckline

 

Paan Shape Neckline

Loud and clear – this shape resembles a betel-leaf or a rounded V shape with some extra curves. This is a sweet style, and looks cute on girly suits and youthful designs. You can also opt for it, if you want something simple and timeless.

  1. Boat neckline

 

Boat Neckline

Quite in vogue these days, this shape is preferred by many women. Earlier, only middle-aged women used to wear this style, but nowadays you will see this neckline popularly used in wedding lehenga cholis, wedding suits, velvet suits, trendy and chic trousers suits and more. As the name tells, the neck shape is quite like a boat – broad at shoulders and not very deep. Good for women, who are busty or have a heavy torso – and also for the ones, who wish to flaunt their flawless shoulders. Go a little broader, and you can get a neckline resembling off-shoulder style!

B. Collared Necklines

  1. Chinese Collar

 

Chinese Collar

This evergreen style that is a staple in kurtas has many variations. With or without kurta patti or slit, the collar may be made wide or narrow. If you are blessed with a swan-neck, you can choose to have a buttoned Chinese collar – with no slit in front – very stylish, but doesn’t suit everyone. Avoid, if you have a short, stocky neck. Go for a variation, with narrow collar width and deep slit in front.

  1. Embroidered high neckline

 

High Neckline

Neck and shoulder area are heavily embroidered here – and the effect resembles an ornate neck-piece. A plain, close-cut neckline or a Chinese/ stand collar (as shown in the picture) forms the basic neck design. This looks stunning in flowy Anarkalis (as the snug neckline is in stark contrast to heavy flare), sarees with retro blouses and sleeveless gowns. Clearly, this puts a lot of emphasis on shoulders and upper torso. So avoid, if you are top heavy, or have a double-chin.

  1. Stand collar with V neck –

 

Stand Collar with V Neckline

Another popular variation on Chinese/ stand or even the girly Peter-pan collars is a high-neck or collar at the back-neck, which has a steep V cut on the front. The problem of short neck, double chin or heavy bust can be camouflaged with this stylish neckline. Popular among girls and office-going women, this modest style is flattering as well as trendy.

  1. Stand collar with round neckline –

 

Stand collar with round neckline

Similar to the previous design, this one has a high back or stand collar on the back neck and a round neck on the front. Quite stylish and flattering! Looks great in bridal and wedding suits too!

C. Popular Variations

  1. Close-cut neckline

 

Close Cut Neckline

Popular these days, especially in ready-to-wear suits and Indian dresses, this one is a simple neckline, where emphasis is more on the embroidery, cut or embellishment of the outfit. Thus, the neckline is kept very basic – generally round or curvy, and is cut very close to the actual neck-line. It does not suit all women – so ensure that you first see how it looks on you, before you get it.

  1. Sweetheart with sheer detail

 

Sheer Sweetheart Neckline

A sweetheart neck is already deep, especially if it is low-cut. However, instead of cutting it deep, designers attach a sheer fabric to a close-cut sweetheart. This shows off the skin, but in a very elegant, sensuous manner. This is a gorgeous style and immensely popular in Anarkali suits and blouses of party wear sarees.

  1. Angarakha neckline

 

Angrakha Neckline

A very majestic neckline, classic Angarakha is where a fabric strip is made to visibly overlap the other. However, variations are made to this Nawabi, regal style – where extra fabric is attached – as shown in the picture – and Angarakha design is created. This one looks extremely elegant and pretty on grand Anarakalis, floor-length suits, cape-style suits and lehenga suits.

  1. Deep-cut Jacket style neckline

 

Off Shoulder Neckline

Since capes, shrugs and cover-ons are quite in trend nowadays, this neck style is also sought after! The deep-cut neckline looks splendid in party-wear suits and other types of heavy, formal suits. While the jacket covers the décolletage, the deep-cut neckline of the kameez worn underneath lends a sensuous peekaboo effect.

  1. High neckline with front slit

 

High neckline with front slit

For ones who are not comfortable with a stiff Chinese collar, designers and tailors recommend high necks with front slit – which may be of any length or depth.

  1. Matka style tapering neckline

 

Matka style tapering neckline

A variation of the round or U neckline, this one is broad and deep on the décolletage, but has tapering edge at the shoulders and neck area. This looks very graceful and pretty – and is great for women who want to wear deep necks, but have broad shoulders. The tapered top end of the neck makes it a wonderful choice for women with broad shoulders and heavy faces.

  1. Two layered staggering V-neckline

 

Two layered staggering V-neckline

Another popular trend in suits with jackets and capes as well as Indo-Western suits – this one is generally made deep cut – where a kameez or tunic is worn underneath to cover the bust area.

  1. Key-hole style neckline

 

Key Hole Neckline

A close-cut, high or collared neckline may be made with a peekaboo keyhole detail in any shape. This looks quite playful and pretty, and can also be a way to strategically place embroidered patterns.

For occasions, when you want to access these smart and timeless neck designs at the touch of a button – we have made an interesting, save-able inforgraphic  –

infographic-salwar-suit-neck-designs - saree.com

We hope you find these tips and neck-designs useful. We have also done an Inforgrahic article on the back designs for blouses Do check it out, and save the graphic for future use!

Don’t forget to share your suggestions and feedback with us in comments. And, please heart – if you enjoyed the read. Best!

 

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