thumb|right|These are various styles of halterneck attire.
Halterneck is a style of women's clothing strap that runs from the front of the garment around the back of the neck, generally leaving the upper back uncovered. The name comes from livestock halters. The word "halter" means "holder" or "that which holds" and is of Germanic origin.
The halter style is used with swimsuits to maximize sun exposure on the back and minimize tan lines. It is also used with dresses or shirts to create a backless dress or top. The neck strap can be covered by the wearer's hair, leaving the impression from behind that nothing is holding the dress or shirt up.
If a bra is worn with a halter top, it is generally either strapless or is a halterneck construction itself. This is to avoid exposing the back straps of a typical bra.
A halter top is a type of sleeveless shirt similar to a tank top but with the straps being tied behind the neck. In another style of the halter top, there is only a narrow strap behind the neck and a narrow strap behind the middle of the back, making it mostly backless. This design resembles many bikini tops, although it covers the chest more. This design can cover some, all or none of the abdomen at the front.
It has been suggested that the neckline's appeal stems from both an aesthetic and practical purpose. The neckline eliminates the potential for unappealing straps in the back, leaving exposed skin to absorb sunlight and display an aesthetic taste.
Cultural impact
1930s
The general halterneck style didn't gain large social recognition until the 1930s. The style first started trending through the fashion of French fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet. Vionnet often used the halterneck style in her most notable designs of the 1930s. In 1936, Vionnet showcased her famous "Carnival Dress," now recognized as one of the earliest documented examples of the halterneck being used as a statement in a high fashion design. The growth of this popularity was largely due to the halterneck's association with sensuality and glamour in film. The famous shot displays Monroe on a sidewalk wearing a white dress with a halterneck as it blows with the wind. The right dress is a printed silk chiffon created by Yves Saint Laurent in France during spring 1971. Halston was known for creating the notable matte jersey halter dress, which was one of the most prevalent silhouettes in fashion during the 1970s.
Halston specifically approached the halterneck wanting to showcase historical relevance while additionally embracing modern practicality. One main cultural factor that determined the fashion aesthetic was athleticism. Exercise culture heavily determined the fashion norms because of how prevalent exercising was in the 1980s.]]
This is where the halterneck style comes in. Halternecks were heavily seen in the 1980s through athletic clothing. As programs like Jazzercise, aerobics and yoga became more popular, halternecks were seen more in these fitness realms.