Boat Neckline
Everything with a boat neckline — the wide, straight cut that runs collarbone to collarbone. Tops, tanks, knit tees, vests, and dresses all in one page. If you only want boat neck dresses, there's a dedicated page for that.
Boat neck tops and layers
The dresses get all the attention on this page, but the tops are worth a look on their own. The ribbed cap-sleeve knit tee ($28, 7 reviews) is the kind of piece that sits flat under a jacket and doesn't bunch up at the waist. The army green sheer knit top ($28, 9 reviews) does the opposite — it's see-through, meant to be layered over a cami or bralette, not worn alone.
There's a series of boat neck button vests in different colors — apricot ($37, 12 reviews), white textured cotton ($32). These are sleeveless with a button-front closure, and they work as standalone tops in summer or as layers over long sleeves in cooler weather. The cotton ones are stiffer and more structured; the polyester ones drape softer.
The plaid cotton tees and tank tops on this page overlap with the retro plaid collection. If you like the pattern, there's more there — skirts, dresses, shorts, all in similar gingham and plaid prints.
Why people keep coming back to this neckline
Boat neck widens the shoulder line. That's the whole point. If your shoulders are narrow relative to your hips, a boat neck balances that out. It also shows the collarbone without showing cleavage, so it works in places where a V neck might feel like too much.
The tradeoff is real though. If you already have broad shoulders and don't want to emphasize them, this neckline works against you. A V neck or a square neckline would narrow things instead of widening them.
Necklaces are tricky with boat necks. Short chains sit right on the neckline and look crowded. Long pendants work better, or just skip the necklace and wear earrings — the wide neckline already draws the eye up.
Boat neck dresses
Most of this page is actually dresses — minis, midis, sleeveless and sleeved. We have a separate page just for boat neck dresses if that's what you're after. It's easier to browse there without the tops mixed in.
For other neckline options, sweetheart neckline goes the opposite direction — narrow and curved instead of wide and straight.
Is a boat neck the same as a bateau neck?
Same thing. "Bateau" is French for "boat." Some brands also call it a Sabrina neckline, after the dress Audrey Hepburn wore in the 1954 film. All three names describe the same wide, straight neckline running from shoulder to shoulder.
What bra works under a boat neck?
Straps need to sit close together near the neck, or go strapless. Regular bra straps usually show at the outer shoulder. A racer-back bra pulls the straps inward so they stay hidden. For the sheer knit tops on this page, a visible bralette can work as part of the look.
Does boat neck work for broad shoulders?
It emphasizes them. Boat neck extends the visual line across the shoulders, so if you're already broad and want to downplay that, a V neck or square neckline would be a better choice. If you have narrow shoulders and want to balance with wider hips, boat neck does that well.
