How To Dress Your Rectangle Body Shape

style tips Mar 10, 2022

If when you were a kid, you wondered why your body looks more like a column and has significantly fewer curves than those of other girls your age, you probably have a rectangle body shape. This means that you, just like all the other women on this planet, have a beautiful body that deserves love, care, and perfectly-fitted outfits. Let us show you how to dress for success, and your rectangle body type will take you places!

How do you know if you have a rectangle body shape?

Women with rectangle-shaped bodies have an athletic figure and equal bust, waist, and hip measurements. Due to these measurements, their body tends to be tall and lean, with a not so well-defined waist and a rather flat bottom. In other words, you know you have a rectangle body shape if you have:

an undefined natural waist
straight shoulder line and ribcage
straight hips and bottom
small or average bust measurements
equal bust and hips measurements
equal hips and shoulders measurements

So, your body lacks curves, your waist is straight, and you feel like you wouldn't mind a more generous bottom or bust. That's alright! Celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Anne Hathaway, and Jennifer Garner have the same athletic body type as you do, and they look fabulous. The key is to focus on what makes you special, and forget all about measurements and standards.

Do you know your secondary body shape?

Please remember that your body is unique and can't be forced to perfectly fit into just one of the basic body shapes. Most of the time, body types have a dominant body shape - in your case, the straight shape - as well as a secondary body shape that can be either:

pear shape - hips measurements are slightly bigger than bust measurements
inverted triangle shape - shoulders are slightly broader than hips
apple shape - chest measurements are larger

Women with a rectangle shape usually find it easy to buy clothes that fit well. Taller women may at times feel like their fashion mission gets a bit too complicated, but with the right style tips and a few ounces of patience, they too can enjoy a wide variety of flattering rectangle body shape outfits.

Tips to find the best clothes for a rectangle body shape

We believe that great fashion choices start where the quest for perfection ends. When we realize no body shape is perfect and no measurements are ideal, we discover the amazing freedom to wear what we like and what makes us feel true to ourselves.

However, style tips are always welcome when we are trying to put together our go-to wardrobe and highlight our physical assets. After all, a great fashion style is 10% talent and 90% tips. So, here are some tips to help you start your flawless wardrobe!

How to get the most out of your balanced silhouette?

Since your upper body and lower body are well-proportioned and you already have a nicely-balanced silhouette, you can choose which areas you’d like to accentuate. You can play up the long lines and create a streamlined silhouette or you can break it up at the waist and add curves where you’d like. Here are some ideas on how to achieve the look you prefer:

create waist definition with belts or nipped garments
wear darker colors around your waist
buy well-structured clothes
invest in high-quality push-up bras to lift your bust
wear bright colors on your upper and lower body

These tips will help you break up your rectangle and add volume where it matters to create the appearance of curves. Prints, textures, and a wide range of fabrics can contribute to interesting combinations that draw attention to your most cherished physical traits.

What fashion styles don't do your body justice?

Now that you know how to juggle with the illusion of curves and what to use to break up your straight silhouette, you should learn how to keep your distance from certain styles that are not necessarily a good idea for an athletic shape. It is useful to remember that:

shapeless or oversized items are not your friend
bright colors don't flatter an undefined waist
tops should not be tucked into trousers or skirts
clothes that end at the waist or embellish it never help
boxy and baggy styles are not worth a second thought

In short, if you are tall and slender, you should embrace the idea of curves and add volume to your upper or lower body, while if you're looking for slimming tricks, you should visually pull your waist in and avoid interfering with your upper and lower body lines.

What to wear if you have a rectangle body shape?

You have your baseline, and you know how to highlight your best traits and make up for the absence of curves with smart tips, so it's time for some shopping. What should you buy if you have a rectangular-shaped body?

Tops

If you want to add volume to your natural silhouette and create the appearance of curves, choose tops that draw attention to your upper body and define your waist. Shirts with nipped or belted waists will accomplish this perfectly, as will knitwear with relaxed fits. Don't be afraid to try bold fabrics and patterns! Sweaters can be as long and as chunky as you wish them to be. Stripes are a go too! Thick fabrics give the gift of volume and curves, while tops with pockets, pleating and other front details create the illusion of a more voluptuous bust. Necklines can take all shapes and sizes, except for square necklines for obvious reasons. Puff sleeves, flutter sleeves, and other types of sleeves that create the impression of volume are all good ideas! Stay away from tops that end at the waistline though, and opt for tops that finish at the hip level.

Jeans

Your jeans choice should depend on the type of top you are planning to wear. If you are wearing a voluminous top, it is best to keep the jeans tight or fitted, and vice versa. The key to a flawless look is a well-balanced silhouette. If your goal is to add volume in the lower body, embellishment around the hip and bottom area will definitely help. Think back pockets and you're on the right track! A rectangular silhouette looks fabulous in a pair of bootcut jeans, but skinny jeans are not off the menu either, because they highlight your slender legs. For an attractive silhouette, choose low-rise, or better yet mid-rise jeans. High-waisted jeans are not exactly a match made in heaven with a straight waist. And while we're at the don'ts, you should also avoid extremely flared jeans because they can break up the balance of your proportions.

Dresses

All your dresses should have one common mission: waist definition. You should choose dresses that maintain the balance of your upper and lower body and pull in the waist. Fortunately, many types of dresses can help you achieve your ambitious goal. From empire line dresses and princess seam dresses to wrap dresses and fit-and-flare dresses, the options are endless. Belts always come in handy when you want to accessorize your dresses and can become an inspired embellishment whenever you feel like wearing a shapeless dress. However, we would always choose wrap dresses over baggy dresses because they create a flattering silhouette and conjure up curves.

Skirts

There's no easier way to add volume to your lower body than with a well-chosen skirt. If you're going for a curvier figure, flared hemlines and details such as ruffles and pleats will help you to successfully fulfill your goal. Layered or trumpet skirts are great choices, but you shouldn't avoid straight skirts either, as they compliment your straight lines and rectangular silhouette. If there is one type of skirt we wouldn't recommend, that would be an A-line skirt. A-line skirts add roughness to an angular figure and create a shapeless silhouette.

Jackets and Coats

Jackets and coats should follow the same guidelines as tops. All of your attention should focus on your waist, so nipped jackets or coats belted at the waist are ideal. They will always add shape to a rectangular body type. Double breasting, pockets, or cuffs on the bust do wonders for the shoulder line, but if you want to highlight your balanced shoulders, you will never go wrong with straight-cut jackets. And add a dark belt for waist definition! Simply wonderful! Jackets tailored around the waist will always look good on a straight silhouette, as will slightly fitted coats and coats that go past the knee. Stay away from jackets that end above the waist to avoid attention to that area, and remember that a belt is a waist's best friend.

Looking to Learn More About Your Body Shape?

Ready for a closet that brings you confidence and simplifies getting dressed each day? Our stylists can help you curate a wardrobe personalized to your body shape and preferences! Check out our services to learn more about working with us, or schedule an intro call to get started today.