Brigitte Bardot's boat neck

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The boat neck, also known as a Sabrina neckline, is a broad neckline that creates horizontal harmony between your shoulders and runs across the collarbone, both at the front and back. 

Originally, boat necks were common on nautically themed jumpers and knitwear; however, this elegant neckline can also often be found on cocktail dresses and evening wear.

De boothals is de hals bij uitstek om je smalle taille mee te accentueren, je creëert er namelijk een flatterende ‘driehoek’ mee van je schouders tot je middel. Behalve flatterend oogt deze halsstijl ook heel sensueel. De stijl is subtieler dan pakweg een strapless jurk of een jurk met een lage uitsnijding, maar toont nét genoeg hals, rug en décolleté om toch een eyecatcher te zijn.

Our top 3 boat neck moments to remember? Brigitte Bardot’s striped boat neck from the 1950s, the eternally classy Audrey Hepburn in Hollywood's Sabrina (which introduced the Sabrina neckline) and Megan Markle's wedding dress!

Not sure which fabric goes best with your boat neck top? Well, Breton stripes are absolutely smashing!

When we say striped boat neck, your mind probably conjures up images of sailors. And it's true – the Frenchnavy was the first to sport these striped t-shirts in 1858, as part of their uniform. It’s said that this wide-necked model was easier to take off when somebody fell overboard, and that the person drowning could be more easily spotted thanks to the eye-catching stripes. 

This style was also introduced in other navies later on.

Its introduction into the world of fashion was gradual, beginning in the 1920s. The masses were sold after Coco Chanel used the (striped) boat neck in her collection. The striped boat neck held onto its place in (fashion) history in the 50s and 60s. During this era, striped boat neck t-shirts were worn nearly all the time by artists and performers, which is also why this style is strongly associated with the Beat generation.

Keen to try the boat neck yourself?  Follow Brigitte Bardot’s example with the Afra pattern.

The Afra top pattern is for a timeless top that’s a snap to combine.

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