Dressing the “Rectangle” body shape

Special Features

This body type has similar width in shoulders, waist, and hips giving one an athletic, straight look. Specific clothing choices can help you with the creation of a waistline and provide curves. This can be achieved through a blouson top to create fullness then belted at the waist. This will give an illusion of an hour glass figure. Tops and blouses with V neckline, scoop or ruffles and collars can all break up your vertical lines and create softness and focus on your face. Below the waist wear skirts or dresses that are fit and flared which create a more curvy feminine look. If you want the long lean look then play up your rectangle shape by wearing long tunics or coats that make you appear long and lean. Layers are a great idea if you want to add dimension. Luckily you can pretty much choose any pant style you like. Paired with the right style on top will complete the look you want.

What to Wear

On Top wear a tunic or caftan style top which is ideal to hide bulk if there is some at the waist. Otherwise a blouse or top with controlled fullness above the waist, with an addition of a belt, can create a waistline and provide some curves to an otherwise straight looking appearance.

Preferably tops with V neck scoop, button style, sweetheart, cowl, cross over, or a small collar or ruffles for accent will draw attention up to your face and provide a break of vertical lines.

If you want to break up your long look you can wear dark on the bottom and bright bold colors and prints on top. If you want a more hour glass figure look then wear skirts or pants with flare or a hemline with flow like a handkerchief hemline.

This V neck soft flowing dress creates a definition at the waist with a slightly loose elastic waist band matching the horizontal stitch lines of the tiers balances out your proportions of length and width. Not to mention the soft drape of the fabric adds a touch of femininity to your look.

This outfit shows how you can use ruffles on top that are cute and feminine but provide some width and depth to the upper body while the pants tapering to the ankle in a bold pattern also provide texture and depth creating a feminine look by creating the illusion of curves.

Fortunately for you most pant styles look great on your rectangle shape, whether it is crop, flare or slim.

What Not to Wear

• Avoid wearing sweater-knit or other clingy styles because this will make it hard to hide your straight figure
• Avoid wearing tops or blouses with big pockets or necklines that button up to the throat because these will draw attention to your boxy look
• Avoid shoulder pads or boxy styles because these will enhance your already rectangular lines
• Avoid narrow skirts because these will do the same as mentioned above unless they taper inward at the hem