You have to be a certain kind of woman to buy yourself a halterneck, but once you do you will love it every time you wear it. Nothing else gives you shoulders and back in the way a halter can. It’s a detail that provides structure, yet somehow lets the rest of you breathe. Speaking of, no necklaces necessary. Nor bras, for that matter. That’s either a pro or a con. We’ve embraced that it’s both depending on who you are.
But these are halterneck dresses that know the rules, and thrive by bending them. Sure, we’ve included the quintessential summer halter because they still reign supreme for good reason. But we’ve also included ones that will take you beyond the beach; to that rooftop dinner, that beach wedding where you want to look thoughtfully dressed rather than just suitably so, that vacation where every piece of clothing needs to earn its place in your luggage.
While the halterneck dress has always had strong associations with warm weather and summer dresses, the best ones transcend sheer resort vibes. We’ve focused on fit and intention. Halternecks that tie too high at the neck are trying too hard. Too loose across the bust and it looks incomplete. With halterneck dresses, the fit across your top half is critical. We’ve only selected dresses where that silhouette sings.
THERE’S ALSO NO QUESTION OF MATERIALS WHEN YOU HAVE A HALTERNECK ON. For some reason, if that top is not done in the right fabric it can look cheap. Very cheap. We’ve biased this edit towards fabrics that will drape and move beautifully without clinging to your body in unwanted places. Most are silk or silk blends, though we’ve included some great cotton and jersey too, as long as they earn their right to be close to your skin.
We have midi lengths because they are polished and right on trend, but we’ve included minis too that still feel smart rather than just dressed down, and of course, maxi halterneck dresses for when the occasion demands something voluminous. If you’re already a halterneck devotee this edit will guide you through the best examples out there right now. If you’ve been on the fence about the halterneck this is your sign. Get a dress and never look back.
