Nowadays it has become very important to know your personal style in order to be presentable. You should be well aware of your body type and what kind of clothes will go according to that specific body type. Body type/shape refers to the ratio of measurements of the bust, waist, and hips. Some common body shapes include the rectangle, pear, apple, and hourglass. This blog will focus on the needs of the rectangle body shape. It will help you learn how to choose and style rectangle body shape outfits.
What is a Rectangle Body Shape?
First of all, let us learn what the rectangular body shape looks like. It is pretty simple; the rectangular shape gives the illusion of uniformity across the body. If your shoulders, waist, and hips are all about the same width, voila, you have a rectangle body shape. This body shape is characterized by a lack of curves and a uniform body profile.
Some other features of the rectangle body shape are:
- Straight silhouette
- A more athletic figure instead of curvy
- Straight shoulders and ribcage
- A lack of waist definition
- Proportional hips and bottoms
- Similar width between the shoulder and to waist and the waist and to hips
The important thing to keep in mind while dressing for a rectangle body type is to break the uniformity.
How to know you have a rectangle body shape?
To accurately measure your body shape, all you need is one thing: a measuring tape!
Well, you also need the correct clothes, but you can also do without them. In order to take the most accurate measurement, it is important to wear well fitted clothes. It’s all well and good if you don’t have tight fitting clothes. Just keep in mind not to wear bulky clothes as they can add a lot to your measurements.
Now, you need to take three measurements. One around the fullest part of your bust. The second is around the narrowest part of your waist. And, the third around the fullest part of your hips.
Now, take a look at these measurements. If they are close to one another, without large differences, then congratulations, you have a rectangular body shape!
Keep in mind that your waist should be similar in width to your bust and hips.
Rectangle body Shape outfit ideas
To dress a rectangular shape, interest needs to be added through clothes. This can be done through visually highlighting features such as the hips and the bust. Use creative fashion choices to stress your waist, hips, or bust. This can be done in two ways primarily:
- By adding volume to the upper body and the lower body
- By cinching in the waist
These effects can be achieved by using the appropriate clothes. Let us go through what these clothes are.
Rectangle body Shape Upper Wear
For a rectangle body shape, tops that add volume to the upper half of the body work best. They not only balance the entire body shape but also accentuate the bust. These tops need to enhance the rectangular silhouette and show off your body instead of hiding it.
While deciding on appropriate upper wear, keep in mind to play with the neckline. It adds to the visual interest of your outfit and accentuates the bust. Some necklines that you can opt for are:
- Scoop Neckline
- Sweetheart Neckline
- V Neckline
- Jewel Neckline
- Off-Shoulder Neckline
- Necklines with Interesting Collars
Another way to add interest to your upper body is through stylish sleeves. Leave the plain and boring sleeves aside and add volume through interesting sleeve options. Some ideas:
- Flared Sleeves
- Puffed Sleeves
- Cuffed Sleeves
- Flutter Sleeves
- Rolled up Sleeves
You can also break the symmetry of the rectangle body type. Try adding asymmetrical style options such as bows, ruffles, and wraps. This helps to take away attention from the proportionality of the body shape. You can achieve the same effect by wearing tops that have details such as pockets, pleating, lace, etc, towards the bust. Peplum tops are a great addition to have in your wardrobe as they have all these things.
But keep in mind to avoid tops that end at the waist. These tend to make for a boxier fit and often end up being shapeless. It is best to wear tops that extend beyond the waist and are cinched at the waist. These give off the illusion of a more curvier body.
Rectangle Body Shape Layers
Layer options such as jackets, coats, and jumpers can also help you achieve a more curvy look. They can also be a great addition to have if you already own clothes that don’t fit your body type. These layering options can give the same illusion without the added burden of completely changing your wardrobe.
The rules for layers are similar to those of tops. Opt for longer layers that are cinched in the waist. Jackets and coats with belts that draw attention to the waist are a great option. Added detailings such as pockets, flaps, cuffs, hoods, etc, also help add volume to the upper body.
Longer coats, that go past the knees, are also an amazing option to have. These add length and shape to the body. The same details as jackets are a plus for coats.
For jumpers and sweaters, it is best to go with elongating patterns such as stripes. These give off the illusion of length and curves. It is best to work with longer and chunkier layers to add volume to the upper body.
Do not wear layers that end at the waist. They make the body look shorter and squarish. Tight-fitting layers also limit the body instead of highlighting it.
Rectangle Body Shape Bottom Wear
With a top that draws attention to the bust, it is necessary to pair it with a bottom that accentuates the hips. For a rectangle body shape, both the top and the bottom need to work hand in hand in order to create the illusion of curves.
The easiest way to do that is to opt for bottoms that cinch the waist and flare out at the bottom. This styling option works great for both jeans and pants. Some options for lower wear include:
- Flared Bottoms
- Cargo Pants
- Bootcut Bottoms
- Harem Bottoms
- Straight fit bottoms
- Wide-leg bottoms
Additionally, Palazzo pants and Marlene trousers add volume along the bottom of the body. These styles work best in all types of pants in all types of materials.
Another bottom wear option is skirts. Skirts are, in themselves, a great tool to add volume to the lower body. A fitting skirt also accentuates the waist and gives a curvy look. Different types of skirts that work for the rectangle body shape are:
- Layered Skirts
- Ruffle Skirts
- A-line Skirts
- Pencil Skirts
- Full Skirts
- Bubble skirts
Pleats and panels are a great way to make a skirt more appropriate for the rectangle body shape.
Rectangle Body Shape Dress
Dresses are an easy way to style any body shape. But for a rectangular shape, they do not need different components to work together. A great dress adds volume to the upper and lower body while simultaneously drawing attention towards the waist. Dresses that cinch the waist are easier to find, with styles such as:
- Empire Waist Dresses
- Wrap Dresses
- X-line Dresses
- Princess Seams
- Shift Dresses
Do not wear dresses that have no definition, as they can make you appear wider. Instead, choose dresses that tighten at the waist to appear more curvy. You can add belts as needed to make your dresses more fitting.
Rectangle Body Shape Accessories
The only accessory that you need that works well across different outfits is a belt. A dark colored belt breaks the monotony of any outfit, but it also pulls attention towards the waist. It can work well in the case of jeans, pants, and even dresses. They can be used to visually cinch the waist, creating curves.
Conclusion
All humans have different body shapes. And, this body shape becomes extremely important in matters of style. Your clothes should accentuate the features of your body in order to look good. For any body shape, it is clothes that create a more balanced look. You do not need to shy away from clothes. Instead, you need to make them work for you.
FAQ
A rectangle body shape is a shape where the shoulders, bust, waist, and hips are in equal proportions. It is defined by a lack of curves.
Rectangle body shape outfits are clothes that look good on the rectangle body shape. These outfits accentuate the waist and give off the illusion of curves.
Rectangle body shape jeans include flared jeans, wide-leg jeans, bootcut jeans, straight fit jeans, etc.
Rectangle body shape measurements are the measurements of bust, waist, and hips. If these measurements are almost equal to each other, then they fit the rectangle body shape.
Rectangle body shape dresses are empire waist dresses, wrap dresses, X-line dresses, princess seams, shift dresses, etc.
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