How to Fix a Gaping Neckline

Co-authored by Elle Monus and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: August 1, 2022 References

A gaping neckline can be super frustrating, but it’s a fixable problem. Your neckline is likely gaping because the top of your garment is too large for you, your bust is fuller, or the garment is designed with an oversized neckline. You might be able to temporarily fix your neckline quickly using a pin, fashion tape, or an undershirt. However, you’ll need to sew the garment to fix the neckline permanently.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Quick Fixes

1
Pin the neckline with a safety pin if you’re wearing a wrap top. Wrap tops are very stylish but often hang open or pull apart, which could expose part of your chest. Fortunately, it’s easy to fix this in a pinch with a safety pin. Hold the gap together where you want to secure it, then use your free hand to insert the safety pin on the inside of your top. Thread the pin back through the front of your top and secure it on the inside of your neckline.^{[2]
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- The safety pin shouldn’t be visible from the outside. If it is, take the safety pin back out and try again.
- Wrap tops have a front closure that's formed when the 2 sides cross over your chest. It might be secured by a tie, button, or stitching if it's a faux wrap.
- This fix only works for wrap tops and will be too noticeable on other styles.
2
Pair the gaping top with a camisole or tank top for a quick cover-up. Layering a top or dress with a gaping neckline over another top makes the gap look like a style choice. Pick a v-neck cami if you’re wearing a wrap top where the 2 sides cross over your chest so the necklines match. For a t-shirt, blouse, button-up shirt, or dress, try a lace or silk camisole for a feminine touch or a rounded collar for a neutral look.^{[3]
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- For solid colored tops, pick a cami or tank top that’s a neutral or complementary color.
- For a printed top, wear a solid-colored cami or tank top that matches one of the colors in the pattern.
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3
Wear the top as an off-the-shoulder top if it’s too wide. A wide neckline can be really annoying because it will keep falling off your shoulders. However, this can be a cute look if you don’t mind exposing your shoulders. Shift the top to 1 side to expose 1 shoulder or pull it down off of both shoulders to go for a cold-shoulder look.^{[4]
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- If you’re wearing a bra and don’t want exposed straps, wear a camisole or tank top under the top to cover your straps.
4
Use fashion tape to attach the neckline to your bra if you wear one. Fashion tape is strong double-stick tape that can stick to fabric. Cut 2 strips of fashion tape that are 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) long. Stick 1 side of each piece of tape to the top of your bra strap. Then, adjust your neckline to where you want it to sit and press the fabric down onto the fashion tape.^{[5]
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- Fashion tape works best for wide necklines or low necklines.
Variation: You might also use fashion tape to adhere the neckline to your chest to keep it from gaping open. Cut a piece of tape that’s 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) long. Stick 1 side of the tape to your chest where you want your neckline to sit, then press the top of your neckline onto the tape.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Sewing a New Neckline

1
Sew darts along the neckline to tighten it. Put on your top and pinch the fabric together where it gapes on the inside of the shirt. Pin the gaps and take off your shirt so you can lay it out. Adjust the pins on both sides of the neckline so they’re symmetrical on each side, then flip the garment inside out. Use a hand-sewing needle and thread or a sewing machine to sew the pinned parts of the fabric together from the neckline in a 3 in (7.6 cm) line to create a dart.^{[6]
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- A dart is a fold that you sew into a garment to shape it to your figure. In this case, the darts will pull the neckline together for a better fit.
- Darts are great for fixing a neckline that’s too wide or too low. Additionally, you can add darts to fix a sweetheart neckline.
2
Add a cord to the neckline to pull it shut. Use a measuring tape to find the circumference of your neckline, then cut a cord that's about 6 in (15 cm) longer than the neckline. Turn your garment inside out, then lay the cord along your neckline. Fold the neckline down around the cord, then pin the fabric into place. Use a hand-sewing needle and thread or a sewing machine to sew along the area where you pinned the fabric in place to create a new neckline around the cord. Leave the edges of the new neckline open so you can adjust the cord as needed.^{[7]
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- When you're ready to wear the shirt, pull the ends of the cord to tighten your neckline, then tie them to secure the neckline in place.
- This fix works best for a neckline that’s too wide or too loose.
3
Sew elastic into the neckline to scrunch it together. Cut a length of elastic that's the length of your desired neckline circumference. Turn your garment inside out and lay the elastic along the neckline. Fold the neckline down around the elastic and pin the neckline into place so you know where to sew the new stitching. Remove the elastic, then use a hand-sewing needle and thread or a sewing machine to sew the new neckline. Re-insert the elastic into the new neckline and scrunch the fabric around it. Line up the edges of the elastic and the open holes on either side of the new neckline, then sew them together with the seam on the inside of the neckline.^{[8]
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- If you're not sure how wide you want your new neckline to be, put on your top and pinch the fabric together to eliminate the gap. Pin the fabric in place, then take off the garment and use a measuring tape to measure the circumference of the pinned neckline.
- You'll be able to expand the neckline to put on the shirt, if necessary, since you used elastic.
- Elastic is a good fix for a wide or loose neckline.
4
Sew a piece of fabric along the inside of a neckline that's too low. Choose a piece of fabric in a color that matches or complements the top. Cut a strip that’s about 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) wide and 3 to 6 in (7.6 to 15.2 cm) long, depending on how much of the neckline you want to cover. Slide the fabric or lace down into your neckline and adjust it until you’re happy with its placement. Then, pin the fabric or lace in place and turn the garment inside out. Sew the fabric or lace in place at the neckline, following the top’s natural seam.^{[9]
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- For instance, you might add black lace to a red top.
- This fix works great for a neckline that dips too low, as well as a sweetheart neckline.