Halter Tops: How to Wear a Halter Neck, Who It Suits and What to Wear It With

A halter top fastens behind the neck and leaves the shoulders bare, and that one line does most of the work. It draws the eye up to the collarbone, it shows off the arms and back, and it reads as summer the moment you put it on. Here is how to wear one well, which bra works underneath, and the new Aura halter tops from Shona Joy at Coveti. For dresses with the same neckline, browse designer halter dresses.

What is a halter neck?

A halter neckline is cut so the front of the top is held up by a strap, a tie, a collar and a gathered band that goes around the back of the neck instead of over the shoulders. The armholes are cut in towards the neck, so the shoulders and upper back are left bare. A halter can sit high at the throat, like a mock neck, and it can drop into a deep V. The Shona Joy Aura halter is the high, gathered kind: the fabric is drawn into a band at the neck and falls loose to a cropped hem.

Who does a halter top suit?

Almost everyone, once you choose the right version. A high gathered halter suits broad shoulders and a smaller bust, because the cut away armhole narrows the shoulder line. A deeper V halter with more structure suits a fuller bust. If you love your arms and back, any halter will show them. The cropped, swingy Aura shape is forgiving through the middle because it sits away from the body.

The Shona Joy Aura halter tops

1. Aura Semi Sheer Halter Top in Black

Cut from a lightweight semi sheer woven (84% lyocell, 16% polyester) with a soft hand and a subtle sheen, lined. A gathered halter neckline, a keyhole at the centre back that closes with a tie, and a relaxed crop length. Fit: relaxed, designed to sit away from the body. Sizes XS to XL.

2. Aura Semi Sheer Halter Top in Rosewater

The same halter in Rosewater, a soft pink. It is shown with the matching shirred maxi skirt, and together they read as a dress from across the room.

Both colours have a matching skirt: the Aura Shirred Maxi Skirt in Black and the Aura Shirred Maxi Skirt in Rosewater, each with an elasticated shirred waistband, a gathered yoke and a loose maxi skirt. Wear the set together for a dinner, and break it up for everything else.

What bra to wear with a halter top

A halter cuts in towards the neck, so a regular bra strap shows at the shoulder. Your options: a strapless bra, a halter neck bra with a strap around the neck, a bra with convertible straps worn crossed at the front of the neck, adhesive cups for a small bust, and a lined top worn without a bra. The Aura halter top is lined, which helps. For more on open backs, read backless dresses.

How to style a halter top

Beach and pool: over a swimsuit with the Celina Cotton Voile Sarong tied at the hip. Lunch: with the Aura Semi Sheer Pant in Ivory and flat leather sandals. Dinner: with the matching shirred maxi skirt, a low bun and a sculptural earring. Evening: the black halter with the Savanna Bias Cut Pant in Champagne and a heeled sandal. A halter already shows the shoulders, so keep necklaces short and let earrings do the talking.

Halter dresses

If you prefer one piece, the Aura halter also comes as a dress: the Aura Blouson Maxi Dress in Rosewater has a blouson dropped bodice and a high low tiered maxi skirt, and the Aura Blouson Mini Dress in Rouge has a high low gathered mini skirt. Both fasten at the back of the neck with a button and loop. Read more in the Shona Joy Aura collection.

How Shona Joy sizing works

Shona Joy cuts its dresses in Australian sizes, and an AU size carries the same number as a UK size, so an AU8 is a UK 8. The Aura separates, the Celina shirt and the Mirelle dress come in letter sizes, XS to XL. Coveti lists every style in UK sizes, and the size guide on each product page converts UK sizing to US, Italian, French and German sizes. Read the brand’s fit note before you choose: “designed to sit away from the body” leaves room, “slim fit through the waist and body” follows your shape without clinging, and “fitted through bust and waist” sits close where the shirring is. For more, read is Shona Joy true to size.

Caring for the Aura fabric

Shona Joy’s care label for the Aura pieces is gentle: turn the piece inside out, hand wash cold and separately with mild soap, rinse cold, and do not machine wash, wring, soak, bleach nor tumble dry. Dry it flat in the shade and cool iron on the reverse with a protective cloth. It can also be dry cleaned. Keep the fabric away from rough surfaces and jewellery clasps, which can catch a fine semi sheer weave.

Frequently asked questions

What is a halter top?

A top held up by a strap, a tie and a gathered band that goes around the back of the neck instead of over the shoulders, leaving the shoulders and upper back bare.

What bra do you wear with a halter top?

A strapless bra, a halter neck bra, a convertible bra with crossed straps, adhesive cups, and for a lined top like the Shona Joy Aura halter, no bra at all if you are comfortable.

Do halter tops suit broad shoulders?

Yes. A halter cuts in towards the neck, which narrows the shoulder line, so it is one of the most flattering necklines for broad shoulders.

Is the Shona Joy Aura halter top sheer?

The fabric is semi sheer, but the halter top is lined. It is cut from 84% lyocell and 16% polyester.

What do you wear with a halter top?

A high waisted bottom balances the crop: a maxi skirt, wide leg pants and a sarong at the beach. The Aura halter has a matching shirred maxi skirt in Black and Rosewater.

Related guides: the Shona Joy Aura collection, maxi skirt outfits, how to wear sheer pants, beach cover ups, designer halter dresses, backless dresses, designer tops, Shona Joy summer dresses.