What bridal neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart?

A sweetheart neckline is a bridal neckline shaped like the top half of a heart.

The center of the neckline dips between the breasts while the upper edges curve upward toward the shoulders. This creates the heart-like outline that gives the style its name. Sweetheart necklines are common in strapless wedding dresses, corseted bodices and gowns with detachable sleeves or straps.

The shape became especially associated with modern bridalwear because it emphasizes the bodice while leaving the shoulders and collarbone open. Designers can also combine it with lace overlays, illusion mesh or a jacket, producing very different levels of coverage.

Sweetheart is not the same as a bateau neckline, which runs almost horizontally across the collarbone, or a Queen Anne neckline, which rises at the back and often dips toward the chest. Those related terms describe different shapes and should not be used interchangeably.