The thing nobody tells you about a square neck is what happens to your bra straps. Weeks two and three in, you realise you've stopped thinking about them altogether, because the neckline sits straight across the collarbone and actually covers a normal bra rather than forcing you into a strapless one that slides down by lunchtime. That's the whole appeal, really. It just took me longer to notice than it should have.
This shape earns its spot across most of the year rather than one specific season. It works under a jacket for a lunch that's nominally about work but isn't really, it works bare armed in August with sandals, and it works with tights and boots the second it gets cold, because the neckline reads a bit more considered than a round or scoop neck so the rest of the outfit can be completely plain. I've worn the same one with white trainers to walk a dog and with heeled mules to something that needed slightly more effort, and nobody clocked it was the same dress because the neckline did a different job each time depending on what sat under it, a chain, nothing, a scarf tied flat across the chest.
If you've got none of these, start with a midi in a fabric with a bit of structure rather than a floaty jersey. A square neck relies on some stiffness to keep its shape away from the body, and a soft jersey one tends to fold in on itself and lose the line within about an hour of sitting down. A cotton poplin or a firmer linen blend holds the shoulders square the way it's meant to.
The difference between a good one and a sad one is almost always in the facing, that strip of fabric finishing the inside edge of the neckline. On a well made dress it's cut properly and sits flat, no puckering, no visible stitching pulling the corners in. On a cheap one it curls after a few washes and the corners of the square start to round off, which defeats the entire point of buying the shape in the first place.
In the shop, check the corners sit flat against your collarbone without digging in, check the straps are wide enough not to slip if they're not built in one piece with the bodice, and sit down in it before you decide, because a neckline that looks sharp standing up can gape completely different once you're folded into a chair.
White DressesWhite Square Neck Midi Dresses Worth a Closer Look
White DressesThe Prettiest White Square Neck Mini Dresses Around Right Now
White DressesWhite Square Neck A Line Dresses That Make Getting Dressed Easy
Tiered DressesSquare Neck Tiered Dresses We’re Adding to Basket
Wrap DressesThe Best Square Neck Wrap Dresses to Shop Now
Denim DressesSquare Neck Denim Dresses: Our Honest Shortlist
Sequin DressesSquare Neck Maxi Sequin Dresses: Our Current Favourites
Summer DressesThe Square Neck Midi Summer Dresses We Keep Going Back To
Polka Dot DressesSquare Neck Polka Dot Dresses: The Ones Worth Your MoneyAlso worth a lookMidi DressesI used to think midi dresses were what you wore when you'd given up on deciding whether to…See the collections →
Sleeveless DressesSquare Neck Sleeveless Summer Dresses We’re Adding to Basket
Evening DressesOur Kind of Square Neck Evening Dresses
Summer DressesSquare Neck Maxi Summer Dresses That Do All the Work for You
Tiered DressesSquare Neck Midi Tiered Dresses You’ll Reach for First
Puff Sleeve DressesSquare Neck Puff Sleeve Dresses We’d Buy Again
Sleeveless DressesOur Favourite Square Neck Sleeveless Tiered Dresses
Fit and Flare DressesSquare Neck Fit and Flare Dresses: What We’d Buy Now
Tiered DressesOur Top Square Neck Maxi Tiered Dresses Right Now
Wedding Guest DressesOur Pick of the Best Square Neck Midi Wedding Guest DressesAlso worth a lookMaxi DressesA maxi dress is only as good as its hem, because that is the part that catches wind,…See the collections →
Puff Sleeve DressesSquare Neck Puff Sleeve Floral Dresses That Feel Special
Slip DressesSquare Neck Slip Dresses for When You Want to Feel Put Together
Floor Length DressesSquare Neck Floor Length Evening Dresses for Your Next Night Out
A Line DressesShop the Edit: Square Neck Midi A Line Dresses
A Line DressesSquare Neck Mini A Line Dresses on Our Radar
Puff Sleeve DressesOur Top Square Neck Puff Sleeve Midi Dresses Right Now
Bridesmaid DressesSquare Neck Strappy Bridesmaid Dresses You Can Dress Up or Down
Floral DressesSquare Neck Floral Dresses That Feel Special
Cocktail DressesSquare Neck Midi Cocktail Dresses Made for Party SeasonAlso worth a lookMini DressesThe thing nobody mentions about a mini dress is what happens to the hem after the third wash and the fifth wear.See the collections →
Bodycon DressesShop the Edit: Square Neck Mini Bodycon Dresses
Puff Sleeve DressesSquare Neck Puff Sleeve Mini Dresses That Have Caught Our Eye
Denim DressesSquare Neck Strappy Denim Dresses That Do All the Work for You
Jersey DressesSquare Neck Jersey Dresses You’ll Want to Live In
Denim DressesThe Square Neck Midi Denim Dresses We’d Wear Anywhere
Mini DressesThe Square Neck Mini Dresses on Our Wishlist
Satin DressesOur Top Square Neck Satin Dresses Right Now
Strappy DressesThe Square Neck Strappy Evening Dresses Shortlist
