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![Woman enjoying the fresh air outdoors Woman enjoying the fresh air outdoors](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/learn-to-love-your-neck/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/02/1140-woman-chin-raised.jpg)
No one looks at their neck much. Then one day you wake up and notice a little dribble of flesh under your chin and freak out. Circular “necklace” lines begin to crease, your neck cords pop out and before you know it examining your neck, and hiding it, has become an obsession. Chin up! There's a better way to deal; in fact, there are 11. Here's how to make your neck your BFF.
![Side by side images of Annette Bening, Iman and Lauren Hutton Side by side images of Annette Bening, Iman and Lauren Hutton](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/learn-to-love-your-neck/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par1/articlecontentfragmeImage8/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/02/1140-annette-bening-iman-lauren-hutton.jpg)
1. Thank your neck for being unique and uplifting
Consider this: Your neck holds up your 10-pound skull and brain every day and encompasses much-needed things like the larynx and thyroid. But know there is no such thing as a perfect neck. Just like noses, breasts and hands your neck has its own personal shape and keeps evolving with age. Everything affects it, from genes and gravity to the natural aging process and the amount of sun damage you've accumulated over the years, but not even cosmetic surgery will change its length and width. That's permanent. Check out the variety of necks in other women 50-plus to see how diverse we are and revel in your individuality:
![Actress Susan Sarandon, singer Patti LaBelle and actress Diane Keaton Actress Susan Sarandon, singer Patti LaBelle and actress Diane Keaton](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/learn-to-love-your-neck/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par3/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/02/1140-susan-sarandon-patti-labelle-diane-keaton.jpg)
2. Make fitted turtlenecks your style, not a cop-out
Sure, turtlenecks provide camouflage, but they're also a classy way to empower your neck. Black turtles work the way slim black pants do — to diminish and elongate your proportions. The best, from stretchy knit pullovers to bodysuits, are lightweight and clingy and have a second-skin fit. A black turtleneck is always cool and, like a black leather jacket, adds an edge to whatever you pair it with day or night. Stock up and make them part of your neck strategy.
![Sissy Spacek, Oprah Winfrey and Renee Zellweger Sissy Spacek, Oprah Winfrey and Renee Zellweger](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/learn-to-love-your-neck/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par5/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/02/1140-sissy-spacek-oprah-winfrey-renee-zellweger.jpg)
3. Count on a V neckline forever
There's nothing wrong with other necklines but Vs are infallible. It's all optics, of course, but the reverse triangle shape and downward point exposes more skin from chin to chest for the illusion of a longer neck. Without an abrupt cutoff at the base of your throat (as in say a crew, round neck or buttoned-up blouse) your neck gains inches of smooth skin. Any V works — narrow or broad, shallow or deep — but do yourself a favor and stop short of cleavage (deep plunge necklines are tacky at 50-plus!). You can unbutton or unzip any top to create a V, too, or just let the natural V of a blazer or wrap dress take charge. Feel free to pop the collar of shirts — it deepens the V effect and frames your neck at the sides.
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