Boatneck Tops Balance Your Figure While Being Comfortable

The little black dress, the snug stone washed jeans, the plain white tee; just few of the must haves that sit in a fashion conscious wardrobe. Inspired by the striped French sailor shirt, boatnecks can now be added to that everlasting list of essentials. Defined by a straight neckline stretching across the collarbone to each shoulder, the boatneck is a style used extensively for men and women’s wear. Based on its origin, it was initially called the bateau neck, as bateau is the French word for boat. Thick cotton t-shirts with thin stripes of navy and white once issued to sailors in the French navy, the boatneck has now become a classic summer trend. Generally loose-fitting, the wide neck makes these shirts comfortable even for children.

The modern boatneck, however, has evolved incorporating various designs, fabric choices and embellishments becoming a popular motif especially in women’s clothing. The boatneck usually has a horizontal neckline, covering the chest to just below the neck. It does cover from the middle to most of the shoulders, though some are cut lower on the shoulders. The front and back of the boat neck are of the same design. They’re easy to slip on, comfortable to wear, and considered a flattering neckline for many.

The biggest advantage of boatnecks is that they can be used in a vast variety of women’s tops. Blouses, gunjees, knit tops, t-shirts, sweaters, tunics can all flaunt a boatneck. Moreover, formal wear, such as evening dresses or tops can add that extra grace and swish with a scooping boatneck. Boatneck sweaters are another popular form of boatneck tops. However, less in winter wear, since so much of the neck is bared while a bit of the shoulders is revealed as well as the entire collarbone area. On the other hand, any summer wear collection is incomplete without boatneck sweater tops. These are available in many colors as well as French inspired stripes, prints or motifs.

Dressy boatneck tops tend to be on the casual side; loose fitting tops that may be striped like a French sailor shirt. Such boatneck tops are also called the t-shirt dress, as they're basically an extension of the t-shaped, baggy fit French sailor shirt. Mostly formal boatneck tops are made from cotton jersey or t-shirt fabric.

Another popular variant of the boatneck tops is found in dancewear called the boatneck leotard. Unlike the traditional boatneck style, the back of the leotard dips down to showcase the upper portion of the back. A radical and edgy interpretation of the boatneck, this style is considered feminine and elegant beyond compare. While buying your boatneck tops consider your body shape to pick up the right flattering piece. Boatnecks are considered perfect and form filling for small chested figures, as the wide neck helps create the illusion of a larger chest. The wide neck of a boatneck top is so structured that it can visually balance a pear shaped figure, emphasizing the right amount of curves.