Your Rectangle body shape is the body shape category that approximately a third of women fall into. Usually, your curves are evenly proportioned and you may find your waist is not as defined. In addition, a Rectangle body shape can come with wide shoulders and chunky calves.
For the best looking outfit you need to focus on wearing shapely garments. Jacket and tops as well as dresses must “create” your waist for you, giving you a slimmer and more curvier look.
In fact, the line and design of the upper body garments are crucial in looking less boxy. And learning how to colour block well is your best friend.
Rectangle Body Shape Style Recommendations
The style recommendations below will give you a great insight into what styles look great on your Rectangle body shape.
Great Tops For Rectangle Body Shape
Firstly, necklines like cross over, v-neck, cowl neck, square neck and round neck are all great choices for your Rectangle shape.
Furthermore, tops where the sleeve extends to the neckline (this is called Raglan) will give you more upper body width. The key with these tops is to try a size smaller than your regular size. If this fits the top will skim your upper body creating instant shaping.
And set-in sleeve tops will work just as nicely for you as long as you keep a close watch on how well it fits in the shoulders. A shorter and longer finish also instantly make you look slimmer, more feminine and more shapely.
Finally, Shirt styles with extra darts at the back will also create more upper body width preventing the pull at the front buttons.
Great Skirts and Dresses for Rectangle Body Shape
Lots of dress styles will look amazing on you. A nice high waist definition in a dress will work to make your waist look slimmer.
In addition, skirts can look amazing but when there is a little weight around your stomach. This means that you need to select the right top. And add an element of a longer cardigan or jacket to finish the look without looking boxy.
Great Pants for Rectangle Body Shape
Most pants and jeans styles look great on your Rectangle shape. Slim, straight, bootleg and wide leg all work for you.
And the secret of your outfit looking great is in wearing a rise of the pants of at least 23cm/9” so your stomach is being held in by the waist band and not pouring over the edge like a muffin top.
Great Jacket for Rectangle Body Shape
Jackets play a really important part in slimming you, shaping you and making your outfit look amazing.
There needs to be lots of tailoring to “buy in” the waist but also enough room for you to close your jacket.
Leaving your jacket open to give your top the chance to create a slimming vertical colour block will look great.
Cardigans fall in the jacket category and create a mix and match smart casual.
Great Underwear for Rectangle Body Shape
In our opinion, stomach shaper underwear and one piece shape wear that hooks under your bra are the best for your Rectangle shape.
Undergarments for Rectangle Body Shape
A Change from Pear to Rectangle Body Shape With Age
The possibility is very high that you become more rectangular with age, when your hips are just 7.5cm/3” wider than your bust.
And during menopause, you may experience thickening of the waist and the upper body and slimming of the hips. This is most commonly a result of the vertebrae collapsing ever so slightly.
Less height and a smaller upper body means less space to distribute your organs which leads to a thickening of the waist and stomach.
To Know Your Top 5 Rectangle Shape Wardrobe Must-Haves Download the Book.
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From Drab to Fab
Narelle Murray celebrating her new-found confidence
Marriage celebrant Narelle Murray was one of Style Angel’s clients who struggled with her shape and issues with her knees and feet. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997 and never gave much thought to what she was wearing.
“I hated my body and I always wore baggy, mainly black clothes – I looked like the Vicar of Dibley,” says the 63 year-old, who has a rectangle body shape.
But all that changed after working with Angela Barbagallo. She not only helped her in an aesthetic sense by encouraging her to wear colour and fitted clothes, but also helped her career.
“Before I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror but now I have the confidence to go out on dates. I know I don’t have to be size eight to look fabulous.”
Giving Her Style Rut The Boot
Narelle Murray celebrating her new-found confidence
“Raising my daughter alone, I focused on work and family and never gave any time to how I looked,” says 63 year old Judy Jones.
“I was feeling drab and frumpy before I met Angela eight years ago. She helped me create myself and build self-esteem, which changed my life in many ways.”
Judy who is an executive assistant in Sydney, hired Angela for a colour and body shape consult and came to many Style Angel style and make up and hair workshops.
And, she worked hard to create a timeless wardrobe that suits her shape and her colours.
“I recently overheard my daughter telling my grandchild ‘Granny looks after herself and she is beautiful’. I never thought I’d hear anyone talk about me like that!”