A sweetheart neckline is a front neckline shaped like the top of a heart: two rounded curves rise over the bust and meet in a shallow dip at the centre front. It is most often seen on strapless bodices, where the heart-shaped top edge is supported by the fitted, boned bodice beneath it, but it also appears with straps and sleeves. It is named, simply, for its resemblance to a drawn heart.
The Strapless Classic
The sweetheart is the defining neckline of the strapless formal dress — the shape Christian Dior's post-war evening wear made iconic in the late 1940s and 1950s. Its engineering lives below the edge: a strapless sweetheart bodice is built on a fitted lining, often with boning and an internal waist stay, so the heart-shaped edge stays exactly where it was placed instead of sliding down.
A 'modified sweetheart' softens the centre dip to a gentle curve; a 'semi-sweetheart' keeps the curves but raises the dip almost level — useful distinctions when shopping for bridal and bridesmaid dresses.
Sweetheart Variations
- Strapless sweetheart — the classic bridal and evening form.
- Sweetheart with straps or sleeves — the same heart edge with added support and coverage.
- Queen Anne — a sweetheart front combined with a raised back and sides; see the Queen Anne neckline guide.
- Sweetheart under illusion — the heart edge worn beneath a sheer illusion panel.
FAQs
- Why is it called a sweetheart neckline?
- Because the two curves and centre dip trace the top half of a heart shape — the universal symbol the neckline is named after.
- Does a sweetheart neckline need a special bra?
- Strapless versions are usually built with internal support or worn with a strapless bra; versions with straps can often take a standard bra.
- What jewellery suits a sweetheart neckline?
- A short pendant that ends above the centre dip, or a choker — long necklaces fall awkwardly against the shaped edge.
Detailed Guides: see Sweetheart Neckline in the glossary A–Z listing of the Apparel Search fashion glossary for related terms.