A halterneck is a type of women’s apparel with a strap that extends from the front to the back of the neck, leaving the upper back bare. The name is derived from the use of livestock halters. The word “halter” comes from Germanic origins that imply “something which holds something.” Halter is a component of the German word Büstenhalter, which means bra.
With swimsuits, the halter shape is utilized to increase sun tan exposure on the back while minimizing tan lines. It’s also used to make a backless dress or top with dresses or shirts. The wearer’s hair might obscure the neck strap, giving the impression that nothing is holding the dress or shirt up from behind.
To prevent revealing the back straps of a regular bra when worn with a halter top, most bras are either strapless or of halterneck construction.
A halter top is a sleeveless blouse with straps that are fastened behind the neck, similar to a tank top (per American English meaning). Another halter top type has a simple narrow strap behind the neck and a narrow strap behind the center of the back, leaving the back mostly open. This style is similar to many bikini tops, except it covers the chest and may cover some or all of the abdomen in the front.
The appeal of the neckline is said to originate from the fact that it “eliminated the need for straps to damage the back design, allowing an uninterrupted area of skin to be exposed to the sun by day and displayed by night.”
How to Choose the Right Coat for Your Halter Dress
It can be difficult to wear a halter dress in the winter. To begin, choose a halter dress that will keep you warm. Second, you begin to consider if you should wear tights (nude or black) or go bare-legged.
Just as you’re about to walk out the door with a halter dress, you realize you haven’t chosen a coat or jacket to go with your outfit. It’s always a challenge to figure out what style of coat to wear to be warm while still matching my outfit. To make things a little easier, here’s a list of tried-and-true dress and coat pairings.
Blazer with Halter Dress
Blazers should never be reserved for formal occasions. When worn with the proper clothing, blazers may be pretty trendy. It’s the secret to rapidly elevating your look to a more refined level.
You can absolutely have fun bringing in a fresh aspect to your look with all the varied cuts, lengths, and designs of blazers. A shorter jacket will draw attention to your waist, whereas a longer blazer will draw attention to the silhouette of your dress.
Bomber Jacket with Halter Dress
A bomber jacket can give a trendy touch to any basic summer ensemble, making it ideal for a casual run-around day.
Denim Jacket with Halter Dress
Denim jackets are the most practical (and popular!) summer jackets on this list, and they’re a must-have for summer. Our favorite ways to wear a denim jacket this year include the mesh, various denim hues, and bright summertime designs.
Faux Fur Coat with Halter Dress
Adding a faux fur coat to your dress is the most effective method to instantly elevate your look. A faux fur coat, regardless of color, texture, or length, adds a level of aggressiveness and confidence to your look that nothing else can.
Depending on the appearance you’re going for, choose an enormous coat for a more relaxed look or a tailored coat for a more glam look. You won’t believe how flexible a faux fur coat can be!
Leather Jacket with Halter Dress
A leather jacket is always a good choice, regardless of the attire or season. Adding a leather (or faux leather) jacket to your dress adds a casual, laid-back feel that can completely transform the look of your ensemble.
Make sure it fits properly around your body and flatters your waist. You want to wear a coat that emphasizes rather than hides the shape of your outfit.
Wool Coat with Halter Dress
The traditional wool coat is a must-have. Wearing one over your dress will never make you feel out of place. A wool coat may instantly bring your ensemble together and elevate it to something incredibly sophisticated and classy.
You can wear a maxi coat or a mid-length coat depending on the length of your dress. Whether your dress is fitted, flared, or boyfriend-style, experimenting with silhouettes can add intrigue to it.
History of Halter Neck Dress
A halter dress is defined by the joining of two pieces of material behind the neck. They can be sewed this way or made to be tied in a knot or bow at the back of the neck, with fasteners to keep the cloth in place in some styles. This style of dress is normally sleeveless, although it comes in a variety of lengths ranging from floor-length to micro skirt length.
The halter type of dress originally appeared in the fashion industry in the 1930s. It was created for Hollywood’s elite to wear as formal glamour attire. Around the same time, halter-style bikinis were created to let wealthy tourists soaking in the rays in resorts like Florida get a tan on their backs that they could flaunt in their halter dresses. The halter dress went out of vogue after WWII, but by the 1960s and 1970s, it was back in style, with more day dress variations available.
Actresses Katie Holmes, Olivia Wild, Jodie Foster, and January Jones are among the celebs who wear halter-style gowns on Hollywood red carpets today. Some celebrities, such as Paris Hilton and Minnie Driver, wear halter dresses as daywear.
How to Wear Halter Neck Dress?
Halter necks narrow or thin the shoulders, so they’re ideal for women with broad shoulders. They’re also great for women with a straighter physique. Princess Diana was one of the top halter neck wearers.
The style has the effect of emphasizing her small hips while downplaying her strong shoulder line. The skirts of these three evening gowns have some gathering or draping to balance out the shoulders — to great effect.
