Skip These Necklines If You Have Older Skin

Whether you're actively trying to age gracefully or not, most of us aren't in a hurry to show off visible signs of maturity, like wrinkles, age spots, and crepey skin. This goes not only for our faces but also our necks and chests, which can be among the first areas to show aging. And while there are some tricks to help prevent fine lines on your neck, the march of time can only be delayed, not stopped.

Of course, getting older isn't a bad thing, but if you reach a point where you're starting to feel self-conscious about the skin of your neck and chest, you may want to adjust your outfits to place the emphasis elsewhere. This is where choosing between different necklines becomes surprisingly crucial. "Some necklines draw attention to the neck areas that older women would rather prefer to minimize," Peter Martinez, stylist, co-founder, and designer at Leather Skin Shop, exclusively tells Glam.

Fortunately, unflattering silhouettes are a very solvable problem. Martinez walks us through the best and worst necklines for mature skin, plus a few styling tricks that will help you hide any neck-centric insecurities you might have and highlight your best features instead.

In fashion, all those shapes and silhouettes are designed to focus attention on certain features while distracting from others. This holds true for necklines, which can either attract or divert focus from the neck and chest. As we get older and may want to gloss over the imperfections of our aging skin, diversion becomes the name of the game.

First and foremost, this can mean letting go of certain low-cut styles. As Peter Martinez exclusively tells Glam, "I recommend against strapless, or off-shoulder tops, as they completely expose the shoulders and neck." Why? Because showing too much skin brings attention to any signs of aging in the area, such as sagging skin, pigmentation, and prominent bones. "Similarly, wide scoop necklines expose the chest area, highlighting wrinkles and thinning skin in the décolletage region," adds Martinez.

If you're trying to deflect attention from your neck and chest, that also means setting aside statement necklines that draw the eye. "You should avoid anything too fussy at the top, such as cowls, ruffles, or enormous bows," Martinez says. While these details may seem useful in adding interest to a modest neckline, they ultimately create a focal point that emphasizes any uncovered skin. Instead, Martinez suggests, "Go for options that provide a sleek, streamlined appearance."

When dealing with older skin, it's all about balance — namely, how much to reveal and how much to conceal. Happily, certain necklines strike a perfect chord by drawing eyes to your gorgeous face without baring too much distracting décolletage. "While choosing necklines, you should opt for ones that frame the face nicely without over-exposing," Peter Martinez exclusively explains to Glam. One good option is a shallow-scoop neckline. As Martinez recommends, the gentle sweep of these tops "keeps the attention upwards (such as towards a statement necklace!) rather than drawing it down."

The designer also lists a few other all-time favorites for older women, including boat necks, neat round necks, shirt necks, funnel-roll necks, and modest V-necks. "A well-cut V-neck is a timeless choice that creates elegant vertical lines, drawing the eye upward while elongating the neck and torso — a silhouette mastered by Hollywood icon Meryl Streep," Martinez explains. Consider us officially interested — Meryl Streep is one of those famous older women who never seem to age, and we'll happily look to her for cues. As Martinez adds, "Whether styled with a tailored blazer or as part of a flowing dress, this neckline's natural geometry offers both sophistication and a subtle slimming effect that flatters women of all ages."

While there are some general dos and don'ts for aging skin, it's important to remember that every person is an individual. As such, your ideal styles and aesthetics might be a little different than the next person's. One way to look at it is through the lens of the Kibbe body type system, which lays out 13 different body shapes and how to style them. This even impacts necklines. After all, Peter Martinez exclusively explains to us that different body shapes can benefit from different neckline shapes.

For hourglass body types, Martinez explains that "V-neck, square, sweetheart, and halter necklines enhance curves." Meanwhile, he adds, "Inverted triangles benefit from V-necks and scoop necks to soften broad shoulders." Folks with rectangular body types should take a similar approach, choosing options "like V-necks and sweetheart [necklines] to create curves," according to Martinez. However, folks with apple shapes "should focus on V-necks, asymmetrical, and boat necklines," while pear shapes "should choose higher necklines like boat and cowl necks to balance hips," he concludes.

As your skin ages, it's true that you may want to gravitate toward certain necklines and steer away from others, but getting older doesn't mean you have to completely lock yourself out of favorite looks. If there's a throat-baring neckline that you still love to wear, do what makes you feel good! Better yet, Peter Martinez suggests a few ways to reimagine beloved garments, accentuating or downplaying any neckline until you feel totally comfortable with the look.

Option one? Strategically styled outerwear. "Layer a structured blazer or a cardigan to redefine a neckline. A slightly open jacket softens the neckline and draws attention away from the neck," Martinez exclusively recommends to Glam. "You can also drape larger wraps or shawls over the shoulders to modify the appearance of a neckline and de-emphasize the neck area."

Accessories provide a more lightweight option to redefine your look. "The best tip to shift focus from a neckline is to wear a bold necklace. Opt for pieces that sit higher on the collarbone or drape softly over the chest for balance," explains Martinez. If pronounced jewelry isn't your style, a cute scarf or neckerchief can add a touch of preppy flair. "Add a softly tied printed scarf to add softness to any neckline," the designer offers. But whatever you do, heed Martinez's final advice: "Make sure it coordinates with your outfit!"