The rectangle body shape is characterised by almost equal shoulders, waist and hips. Regardless of weight, this body type doesn't have a particularly curvy outline, which makes it appear like a column or a rectangle. Rectangle-shaped women tend to remain slender even when gaining weight, which occurs evenly across their entire figure.
Therefore, the rectangle body shape is a naturally balanced silhouette in width (shoulders and hips are aligned), but the distinctive feature that immediately catches the eye between the rectangle and other shapes is the waistline. The waist is not well-defined, and if there is one, it's barely noticeable. There isn’t a visibly narrower arch at waist level compared to the rest of the body, because, technically, the rib cage ends just before the hip bones and pelvis. more
The focus of this body shape should be on defining the waist by breaking up the rectangle to create a fairly narrow and slim shape, but in a loose and easy way. The best way to slim the waistline and add more curves is to proportionally add volume to your upper and lower body and leave the waist as is.
At the same time, rectangle-shaped women tend to be tall and lean, featuring long, tapered legs and a shorter torso in proportion to the legs. Therefore, it is advisable to balance this body shape in length. A balanced body shape in length means that your upper and lower body halves are in proportion, or your torso and legs are roughly equal in length, creating a harmonious vertical balance. This can be identified by checking if the distance from your head to your crotch matches the distance from your crotch to your ankle. If yes, you have a balanced body shape in length, while if not, there are some tricks to balance it.
Below, you will find some dressing tips for the rectangle body shape.
Best Clothes for the Rectangle Body Shape
Tops and Shirts: low and wide V-neck top, oval neckline top, low and wide U-neck top, diagonal one-shoulder neckline top, draped top, wrap shirt, pussy bow shirt, shirt with vertical stripes, flutter sleeve top, flared sleeve top, cuffed sleeve shirt.
As the torso of the rectangle body shape is shorter than the legs, lower and wider necklines, such as the low and wide V-neck, oval neckline or low and wide U-neck, will visually lengthen the shoulder and bust area. Asymmetric elements, such as the diagonal one-shoulder neckline, will bring a greater movement into the straight body shape and help keep your outfit unstructured. Embellishments such as soft bows, draping, or pleating at the bust, around the décolletage or above, will direct the attention upwards. A shirt with vertical stripes will slim the waistline and elongate the torso.
Tops and shirts for the rectangle body should be creating shape by adding volume to the shoulder (flutter sleeve top, flared sleeve top), bust (top draping at bust area) and hip (tops in fluid fabrics flaring out at the bottom) areas, while leaving the waist as is or masking it. Playing with the overlays of the top clothes (length or different colours) is a good way to camouflage the waistline and lengthen the torso.
Opt for shirts that finish at the hip level and avoid tops that end at the waistline, as they will make you look even more rectangular. Be aware of boxy shirt styles that will make you look shapeless.
Jackets and Sweaters: peplum jacket, single-breasted jacket, double-breasted jacket with V-shape button placement, zip-fastening vegan leather jacket, belted jacket, straight jacket, funnel jacket, long cardigan.
Opt for jackets that end below the waist and don’t emphasise it. Avoid jackets that end above the waist and boxy jackets with overly rigid cuts that will make you look square. Peplum jackets, which are slightly flaring towards the hips and create volume around the hips, are super fine. Single-breasted or zip-fastening jackets are good because they don’t add extra bulk as double-breasted jackets with horizontal buttons do. If you like double-breasted jackets, opt for one whose buttons are placed in a keystone formation, with the top buttons placed further apart than the lower buttons to emphasize the V-shape of this style (see the double-breasted jacket with V-shape button placement in our image). Embellishments (pockets, cuffs, flaps, plackets) on the bust are great to broaden the shoulder line, but steer clear of embellishments around the waist that add bulk to that area. Jumpers and cardigans should end below the hipline to not draw attention to the waist.
Coats: belted trench coat, straight-cut coat, egg-shaped coat, duster coat.
Opt for longer coats, ideally ending at or below the knee. Since the waist isn't the most striking feature of the rectangle-shaped women, they can opt for straight-cut coats, egg-shaped coats, or duster coats, which are all fine options for them. The trench coat, when worn with a belt tied at the back, is especially flattering.
Trousers: cargo trousers, turn-up trousers, wide-leg trousers (jeans), bootcut trousers (jeans).
The rectangle shape is certainly the one that naturally suits trouser styles the most, but opt for low-waisted trousers, as high-waisted styles would “steal” centimetres from your torso, which is already shorter in proportion to the legs, and emphasize the waistline. Trouser styles that flare at the bottom, like bootcut or wide-leg trousers, bring volume to the lower body of the rectangle and slim down the waist. Opt for trousers with wide waistbands and hip, thigh or leg details (whiskering, pockets, pleats or turn-ups) to draw attention to your lower body.
Skirts: miniskirt, wrap-around skirt, asymmetrical cut skirt, pleated skirt, A-line skirt.
The skirts that best suit this shape are trapezoidal shape skirts such as the wrap-around skirt, miniskirt, A-line skirt, or pleated skirt that make the waist appear flatter or narrower. Opt for low-waisted skirts that are not accentuating the waist.
Dresses: wrap dress, column dress, A-line dress, shirt dress, X-line dress.
The best dresses for the rectangle body shape are the dresses whose waistline is not marked such as column dresses, or those where the cut is lower than the waist, such as low-waist A-line or X-line dresses. Belts are a great way to create a waist for a dress, but choose a V-shaped belt that will elongate your torso and add a further slimming effect. Wrap dresses are also fine, since the draping falls nicely over the straight body shape and creates the impression of curves. Avoid dresses that cut the waistline at the bust level, as on the one side, they skip the waist level, but on the other side, they shorten the torso and create an unbalanced silhouette in length.
Make sure that you follow your natural silhouette, don't unbalance the body shape by making it either top- or bottom-heavy, and visually narrow the waist area. With a few slight adjustments, you can really achieve the illusion of a narrower waist.
Therefore, the rectangle body shape is a naturally balanced silhouette in width (shoulders and hips are aligned), but the distinctive feature that immediately catches the eye between the rectangle and other shapes is the waistline. The waist is not well-defined, and if there is one, it's barely noticeable. There isn’t a visibly narrower arch at waist level compared to the rest of the body, because, technically, the rib cage ends just before the hip bones and pelvis. more
The focus of this body shape should be on defining the waist by breaking up the rectangle to create a fairly narrow and slim shape, but in a loose and easy way. The best way to slim the waistline and add more curves is to proportionally add volume to your upper and lower body and leave the waist as is.
At the same time, rectangle-shaped women tend to be tall and lean, featuring long, tapered legs and a shorter torso in proportion to the legs. Therefore, it is advisable to balance this body shape in length. A balanced body shape in length means that your upper and lower body halves are in proportion, or your torso and legs are roughly equal in length, creating a harmonious vertical balance. This can be identified by checking if the distance from your head to your crotch matches the distance from your crotch to your ankle. If yes, you have a balanced body shape in length, while if not, there are some tricks to balance it.
Below, you will find some dressing tips for the rectangle body shape.
Best Clothes for the Rectangle Body Shape
Tops and Shirts: low and wide V-neck top, oval neckline top, low and wide U-neck top, diagonal one-shoulder neckline top, draped top, wrap shirt, pussy bow shirt, shirt with vertical stripes, flutter sleeve top, flared sleeve top, cuffed sleeve shirt.
As the torso of the rectangle body shape is shorter than the legs, lower and wider necklines, such as the low and wide V-neck, oval neckline or low and wide U-neck, will visually lengthen the shoulder and bust area. Asymmetric elements, such as the diagonal one-shoulder neckline, will bring a greater movement into the straight body shape and help keep your outfit unstructured. Embellishments such as soft bows, draping, or pleating at the bust, around the décolletage or above, will direct the attention upwards. A shirt with vertical stripes will slim the waistline and elongate the torso.
Tops and shirts for the rectangle body should be creating shape by adding volume to the shoulder (flutter sleeve top, flared sleeve top), bust (top draping at bust area) and hip (tops in fluid fabrics flaring out at the bottom) areas, while leaving the waist as is or masking it. Playing with the overlays of the top clothes (length or different colours) is a good way to camouflage the waistline and lengthen the torso.
Opt for shirts that finish at the hip level and avoid tops that end at the waistline, as they will make you look even more rectangular. Be aware of boxy shirt styles that will make you look shapeless.
Jackets and Sweaters: peplum jacket, single-breasted jacket, double-breasted jacket with V-shape button placement, zip-fastening vegan leather jacket, belted jacket, straight jacket, funnel jacket, long cardigan.
Opt for jackets that end below the waist and don’t emphasise it. Avoid jackets that end above the waist and boxy jackets with overly rigid cuts that will make you look square. Peplum jackets, which are slightly flaring towards the hips and create volume around the hips, are super fine. Single-breasted or zip-fastening jackets are good because they don’t add extra bulk as double-breasted jackets with horizontal buttons do. If you like double-breasted jackets, opt for one whose buttons are placed in a keystone formation, with the top buttons placed further apart than the lower buttons to emphasize the V-shape of this style (see the double-breasted jacket with V-shape button placement in our image). Embellishments (pockets, cuffs, flaps, plackets) on the bust are great to broaden the shoulder line, but steer clear of embellishments around the waist that add bulk to that area. Jumpers and cardigans should end below the hipline to not draw attention to the waist.
Coats: belted trench coat, straight-cut coat, egg-shaped coat, duster coat.
Opt for longer coats, ideally ending at or below the knee. Since the waist isn't the most striking feature of the rectangle-shaped women, they can opt for straight-cut coats, egg-shaped coats, or duster coats, which are all fine options for them. The trench coat, when worn with a belt tied at the back, is especially flattering.
Trousers: cargo trousers, turn-up trousers, wide-leg trousers (jeans), bootcut trousers (jeans).
The rectangle shape is certainly the one that naturally suits trouser styles the most, but opt for low-waisted trousers, as high-waisted styles would “steal” centimetres from your torso, which is already shorter in proportion to the legs, and emphasize the waistline. Trouser styles that flare at the bottom, like bootcut or wide-leg trousers, bring volume to the lower body of the rectangle and slim down the waist. Opt for trousers with wide waistbands and hip, thigh or leg details (whiskering, pockets, pleats or turn-ups) to draw attention to your lower body.
Skirts: miniskirt, wrap-around skirt, asymmetrical cut skirt, pleated skirt, A-line skirt.
The skirts that best suit this shape are trapezoidal shape skirts such as the wrap-around skirt, miniskirt, A-line skirt, or pleated skirt that make the waist appear flatter or narrower. Opt for low-waisted skirts that are not accentuating the waist.
Dresses: wrap dress, column dress, A-line dress, shirt dress, X-line dress.
The best dresses for the rectangle body shape are the dresses whose waistline is not marked such as column dresses, or those where the cut is lower than the waist, such as low-waist A-line or X-line dresses. Belts are a great way to create a waist for a dress, but choose a V-shaped belt that will elongate your torso and add a further slimming effect. Wrap dresses are also fine, since the draping falls nicely over the straight body shape and creates the impression of curves. Avoid dresses that cut the waistline at the bust level, as on the one side, they skip the waist level, but on the other side, they shorten the torso and create an unbalanced silhouette in length.
Make sure that you follow your natural silhouette, don't unbalance the body shape by making it either top- or bottom-heavy, and visually narrow the waist area. With a few slight adjustments, you can really achieve the illusion of a narrower waist.
Since the rectangle shape is typically slim and slender, but with a little to no waist definition, the fabrics for the top are thin to medium in weight and smooth in appearance. Tops in fluid fabrics, in darker colours slim the waistline. Avoid thick or tight fabrics and shiny colours for the top, which accentuate the flaws and imperfections of the figure.
As for the bottom of your body, anything is allowed. If you are slim, you can opt for thicker trousers, which have a straighter shape, such as cargo pants, or thinner trousers, which have a more trapezoidal cut, such as wide-leg trousers. If you are full-figured, follow the same advice only for the fabrics of the tops. Choose lighter colours if you are slim, more
As for the bottom of your body, anything is allowed. If you are slim, you can opt for thicker trousers, which have a straighter shape, such as cargo pants, or thinner trousers, which have a more trapezoidal cut, such as wide-leg trousers. If you are full-figured, follow the same advice only for the fabrics of the tops. Choose lighter colours if you are slim, more
and darker colours if you are full-figured for the bottom.
When it comes to patterns, opt for patterns including thinner stripes, vertical lines and small and dense elements with a low contrast between them for your upper body. Choosing tops with vertical stripes, darker in colour than the clothes at the bottom, is one of the best ways to slim down the waistline. Instead, opt for those that include medium to large elements for the lower body. As you have an angular body shape (opposite to rounded body shapes such as hourglass or pear), patterns with geometric shapes (plaids, horizontal stripes) or asymmetric, irregular shapes are especially suitable to create interest in your outfits. Wild colour combinations also help break up your straight frame and give you a more unconstructed look. Leave polka dot patterns to the rounded body shapes, but if you like them, opt instead for patterns with mixed round shapes and more geometric shapes.
At the same time, you can check your best patterns based on your sub-season after taking our Seasonal Colour Analysis Quiz, choosing our professional Online Seasonal Colour Analysis or performing a self-colour analysis at home with the help of our Self Seasonal Colour Analysis Guide.
When it comes to patterns, opt for patterns including thinner stripes, vertical lines and small and dense elements with a low contrast between them for your upper body. Choosing tops with vertical stripes, darker in colour than the clothes at the bottom, is one of the best ways to slim down the waistline. Instead, opt for those that include medium to large elements for the lower body. As you have an angular body shape (opposite to rounded body shapes such as hourglass or pear), patterns with geometric shapes (plaids, horizontal stripes) or asymmetric, irregular shapes are especially suitable to create interest in your outfits. Wild colour combinations also help break up your straight frame and give you a more unconstructed look. Leave polka dot patterns to the rounded body shapes, but if you like them, opt instead for patterns with mixed round shapes and more geometric shapes.
At the same time, you can check your best patterns based on your sub-season after taking our Seasonal Colour Analysis Quiz, choosing our professional Online Seasonal Colour Analysis or performing a self-colour analysis at home with the help of our Self Seasonal Colour Analysis Guide.
Rectangle silhouettes look great with both one-piece and two-piece swimsuits: their structure lends itself perfectly to diagonal cuts and asymmetrical one-shoulder styles, but also sportier styles. Bandeau or tube bikini tops draw the eye towards your bust and make other parts of your silhouette less noticeable, while wrap swimsuits create the curves and enhance a more feminine silhouette. One-piece swimsuits with cut-out sides (monokini) or colour blocking perfectly contour the torso, creating a very feminine shaping effect and can bring the illusion of an hourglass shape to the straightest of rectangles.
As for bikini bottoms, opt for swimsuits that are cut high on the hips to emphasize your slim hips, and classic straight-across, more
As for bikini bottoms, opt for swimsuits that are cut high on the hips to emphasize your slim hips, and classic straight-across, more
tie-sided bikini bottoms to add volume to your hips and minimize your waist. The shorts are also very good, but avoid the slightly higher retro-style culottes, which end up emphasizing the waist, making the torso a bit square. At the same time, avoid belted bikinis, as they will indicate to the eye that the waist is barely there or completely absent. Focus on bold patterns and colours, bold ruffles, flounces, gathers, and appliqués that create the illusion of curves around your hips and bust, so you can have a curvier frame.
Rectangle body shaped women often have a shorter torso and longer legs, but this doesn’t mean that they can’t wear heeled shoes. If you have a rectangle body shape, you can rebalance your figure in length only by lowering the waistline with a pair of low-rise jeans that will “steal” some centimetres from your legs and give them to your torso. A balanced body shape in length has roughly equal measurements for the upper body (from the head to the crotch) and lower body (from the crotch to the ankle).
In order to know how to rebalance your figure, stand straight against a wall and ask someone to measure the distance from your head to your crotch and from your crotch to the ankle. If those distances are equal, you have a balanced shape in length, while if the distance from your head to your crotch is shorter than the distance from your crotch to your ankle, more
In order to know how to rebalance your figure, stand straight against a wall and ask someone to measure the distance from your head to your crotch and from your crotch to the ankle. If those distances are equal, you have a balanced shape in length, while if the distance from your head to your crotch is shorter than the distance from your crotch to your ankle, more
you have a shorter torso and longer legs, as most rectangle shaped women do. Based on your measurements, you can easily see how many centimetres you should “steal” from the legs and give them to the torso to achieve a balanced shape in length. For example, a woman who is 180 cm tall, and has a shorter torso (85 cm) and longer legs (95 cm) has to give 5 centimetres from her legs to her torso (a pair of low-rise jeans can help lower the waist by about 5 to 10 cm) to achieve a balanced silhouette in length.
Therefore, taking into account the measurements, rectangle-shaped women can wear loafers, ballet flats, pumps, and boots of any type, but especially of any height. As your legs already have some centimetres more compared to the torso, you can easily break up the leg at the ankle with a pair of contrasting colourful and eccentric shoes, as well as ankle straps and everything that usually penalizes short legs. At the same time, you can choose pointed-toe shoes for a more sophisticated look, or round or oval-toe shoes for a more feminine appearance. Mules or slip-in shoes in low heels can give your frame that subtle volume boost without overwhelming the slender appearance of your legs. Paired with the right clothes, you can instantly achieve a more flattering upper and lower body ratio.
As for bags, you have a wide choice for bags carried in the hand. Instead, opt for shoulder bags, that once worn on the shoulder reach the hips area, and avoid those that sit at waist level. Great options are the soft vegan leather and oversized satchel bags, tote bags and hobo bags. Bags with fringes, woven straps, studs, and buckles are perfect for you, as they will add dimensions and details to your straight body shape.
Therefore, taking into account the measurements, rectangle-shaped women can wear loafers, ballet flats, pumps, and boots of any type, but especially of any height. As your legs already have some centimetres more compared to the torso, you can easily break up the leg at the ankle with a pair of contrasting colourful and eccentric shoes, as well as ankle straps and everything that usually penalizes short legs. At the same time, you can choose pointed-toe shoes for a more sophisticated look, or round or oval-toe shoes for a more feminine appearance. Mules or slip-in shoes in low heels can give your frame that subtle volume boost without overwhelming the slender appearance of your legs. Paired with the right clothes, you can instantly achieve a more flattering upper and lower body ratio.
As for bags, you have a wide choice for bags carried in the hand. Instead, opt for shoulder bags, that once worn on the shoulder reach the hips area, and avoid those that sit at waist level. Great options are the soft vegan leather and oversized satchel bags, tote bags and hobo bags. Bags with fringes, woven straps, studs, and buckles are perfect for you, as they will add dimensions and details to your straight body shape.