Dressing for your body shape will help you feel confident and comfortable. In this article, we’ll look for fashion tips for rectangle body shapes. Uncover the secrets of perfecting your outfit according to your body shape with style advice customized to highlight your figure. Whether it’s selecting wardrobe choices or mastering the art of creating curves, this article is designed to inspire you to embrace your body type with self-assurance and make the most of your rectangle body shape.

What Are The Characteristics Of a Rectangular Body Shape?

The rectangle body shape, also referred to as the athletic body type, “banana” or “straight” shape, is characterized by proportioned measurements and a subtle lack of distinct curves. If you possess a rectangle body shape, your bust, waist, and hip sizes are likely similar, resulting in a linear silhouette.

While some may perceive this body shape as less feminine, it’s essential to recognize that every body type has its own unique attributes you can turn to your advantage, and by choosing the right clothes, you can accentuate your lines, which makes the less feminine shape finally feminine.

Treat your physical endowments by employing styling techniques so you can accentuate your rectangle body shape. Recognizing your body shape serves as the first step towards dressing in a manner that complements your physique and enhances your self-assurance. See my fashion tips below to make the most of your rectangle body shape!

Can a Rectangle Body Be Curvy?

Yes, of course. Although the rectangle body shape brings to mind thin, boyish girls, don’t forget that even with such natural features, you can gain a few pounds. We cannot change our basic body type, but at the same time, it may happen that, for example, in the case of a large excess of weight, someone will end up carrying the characteristics of an apple body type.

Or I could also mention my own example: when I’m in better shape, I get the hourglass features, but if I gain a few pounds around my stomach and waist, according to the calculator, based on my body proportions, I’m already a rectangle since my waist-hip ratio is changing for the less desirable.

What Should I Wear?

Since the rectangular physique is known for having nearly identical bust, waist, and hip sizes, our goal is to make the waist look slimmer while emphasizing the breasts and hips. This section could also be a small guide on how to achieve an hourglass body shape, as our goal is to achieve an optical effect close to the bust-waist-hip ratio of the hourglass figure. 

While adding details to the hips and shoulders will help to balance the body, note that overemphasizing the shoulders is not necessarily beneficial if you already have broad shoulders. Experiment with features like pocket details, buttons, or distressed denim to draw attention to the hips. Another effective technique is to incorporate scalloped edges and pleats to create the appearance of an hourglass shape.

You can play with colors too: wear a dark top against a lighter skirt. There doesn’t have to be a huge difference in color. The dark top de-emphasizes your upper half.

No tucking. The top ends at the hip, there’s no smooth out your midsection and create the appearance of a smaller waistline. Look for styles with a wider waistband or a higher rise to avoid any muffin top.

Anyway, the goal is to create the illusion of curves and draw attention to your waistline. Consider adding to your wardrobe peplum tops, ruched dresses, and any clothing that adds volume to your bust and hips. High-waisted pants and skirts also accentuate the waist, giving the impression of a curvier shape.

So don’t forget: let’s show that we have a waist and avoid making it appear thicker. A waist belt is unlikely to be an advantageous choice in the case of a rectangle body shape, but empire-line dresses will make your waist look longer and slimmer, and accentuate the feminine lines.

Below, I will list the most common items of clothing and explain through them exactly what I had in mind.

What Clothes Should I Avoid If I Have a Rectangle Body Shape?

Certain fashion choices effortlessly enhance our linear figure better than others. Take bandeau tops, particularly the minimalist designs, which may not provide the desired boost to your bust. And while super low-rise bottoms can be playful, they might not consistently accentuate our hips like alternative styles.

Here’s the golden nugget of wisdom:

• Avoid overly tight clothing that clings to your straight shape, as this can draw attention to your lack of waist definition. 
• Avoid choosing oversized and shapeless tops that obscure your body’s natural contours, resulting in a boxy silhouette and minimal figure enhancement.
• Be cautious with monochromatic looks, as they can also emphasize a boxy silhouette.

What Type Of Skirt Is Best For Rectangle Body Shape?

First of all, a small piece of advice from me, hope that helps: Skirts hitting lower, closer to the hips, are not ones I prefer to tuck in. This positioning tends to create an unflattering proportion, making the overall look appear boxy, regardless of the skirt’s tapering.

When it comes to skirts, the best choices are A-line skirts, pleated skirts, and loose skirts, because they emphasize and widen the hips. Don’t forget: around your hips, the bigger the better, so it’s worth adding volume!

A-line skirts are available in different styles; choose the one you’re comfortable with. If you would like to show off your beautiful legs, definitely go for the mini, but if you are not comfortable with it, you can find great midis or maxis.

What Shorts Look Good On a Rectangle Body Type?

What is described for skirts also applies here. Pleated or ruffled designs add volume and dimension, which can be particularly flattering. Conversely, avoid very straight cuts that align with your natural lines as they might not provide the shape you are aiming for.

What Jeans Are Best For Rectangular Body Shapes?

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is essential for any wardrobe. As I mentioned earlier, high-waisted pants make your silhouette curvier (this is considered good in our case. Wide-legged pants or those with flared bottoms balance your proportions beautifully.

Skinny or straight-leg jeans work wonders when it comes to highlighting lean legs, while flared or bootcut styles can add volume to your lower half, giving the illusion of curves. If you’re in the mood for skinny jeans, pair them with a voluminous top to maintain that sense of balance.

What Necklines Look Best On a Rectangle Body Shape?

The right neckline can make a significant difference. Halter necklines, scoop, or V-necks draw attention to your upper body and elongate your neck. These choices are particularly flattering because they break up the rectangle silhouette and add a touch of femininity to the overall look. When considering tops or dresses, also look for those with embellishments or ruffles to add volume and interest.

What Bikini Is Best For Rectangle Body Shape?

Think of your naturally slender silhouette as a clean slate, waiting to be adorned with the perfect bikini bottom to evoke playful curves and attitude. Utilize side ties and ruching as our hidden tools to add a flirtatious flair to your hips.

Always keep in mind that although style matters, never sacrifice comfort and quality. Wearing a bikini that digs into your skin or feels awkward can easily dampen your beach experience.

Mixing and matching different colors and patterns between your top and bottom can also help to break up the straight lines of a rectangle body shape, making it appear more hourglass.

Which Celebrity Has a Rectangular Body?

Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley, Kate Hudson, Hilary Swank and Natalie Portman  – just to name a few magnificent ladies with rectangular body shapes. These celebrities frequently opt for outfits that incorporate strategic ruching, bold patterns, or eye-catching embellishments to create the illusion of curves.

They also leverage the power of necklines, like the V-neck or scoop neck, to elongate their figure and draw attention to the upper body. By observing their style choices, individuals with a rectangle body shape can gather valuable inspiration on how to stylishly dress their own silhouettes.

Conclusion

Experiment with the tips provided, and remember, the ultimate goal is to feel confident and comfortable in your skin, no matter what you wear. Fashion is an expression of individuality, so take these guidelines and tweak them to make them uniquely yours, as it feels comfortable! And in any case, being loyal to your personal style is key; you have to love what you wear.

To summarize, some of the key pieces to consider include:

• High-waisted jeans and shorts
• A-line skirts
• Halter, scoop, and V-neck tops or dresses
• Padded or embellished bikinis

Remember, being aware of your body shape is a tool to choose wardrobe pieces more confidently, and last but not least, it significantly simplifies the process of creating an imposing wardrobe. By the way, I have also written articles on the apple, inverted triangle, hourglass, and pear body shapes; feel free to check them out!

Credit for the collages: H&M