Last updated on September 12th, 2025 at 04:18 pm
I will now explain what to dress for the rectangle body shape and what to avoid for a flattering look.
The goal is for you to apply this style theory to any outfit. You will see the benefits for yourself.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents:
- The Rectangle Body Shape – Characteristics
- In Between Body Shapes
- Black Women with Rectangle Body Shape
- Fashion Strategy
- Styling The Rectangle Body – Tops
- Styling The Rectangle Body – Bottom
- Styling The Rectangle Body – One-Piece Outfits
- Outfit Ideas
- What’s Next?
- Recap – Do’s and Dont’s
- Other Body Shape Guides
The Rectangle Body Shape – Characteristics
Body shape can change over time, so if you are not sure if this description fits you, download my free guide – How To Find Your Body Shape.
In Between Body Shapes
You can have 2 body shapes.
In this case, consider guidelines for both body shapes when you get dressed.
– If your hips are wider than your shoulders, you need to consider pear shape styling guidelines when you dress your lower body.
– Shoulders wider than your hips, require you to consider inverted triangle shape styling guidelines when you dress your upper body.
– If your bust is large and you have a wide waist, you need to consider apple shape styling guidelines when you dress your upper body.
Black Women with Rectangle Body Shape
Follow these women for inspiration on how to dress and see how outfits look on this body shape.
You can click each image to go to their respective Instagram profile.
I also made 3 part videos with all the black women with the rectangle body shape. Watch now.
Rectangle Body – Fashion Strategy
The rectangle body already has a balanced silhouette.
But it is flat with no curves.
Add volume to the upper and lower body to make your natural waist smaller.
Or, you can leave the upper and lower body untouched and belt the waistline to mark it.
This is strategizing with fashion to create a defined silhouette, and has worked for many women for decades.
You can try it first to see if you like it.
These are only suggestions on how to dress and not inflexible guidelines.
Tops For The Rectangle Body Shape
Role of Tops in your Closet: Tops add volume to the shoulders and create the illusion of a waistline.
Feel: The right top will widen your shoulder line and highlight your bust, neckline, and arms drawing the eye up and away from the waist.
What to Look for in tops? Look for tops with a built-in waist and cuts that accentuate your upper body and hips simultaneously.
Tops – How To Create a Waistline
– The illusion of a waistline is created by defining the smallest area of your abdomen with accessories and styling.
To create curves at the waist and hip, you can:
– Wear longer tops to lengthen your torso.
Tops should be long enough to cover the waist and end at the hipline.
– Belt your clothes at your natural waistline.
Buy waist-tie tops.
They are specifically constructed to create a more defined waist.
Alternatively, you can use any belt on top of your garments.
– Use tops with diagonal lines, big prints, and textured fabrics with a darker colour at the waist.
It will help create curves.
– Avoid tucking your top to avoid excess fabric at the waist.
Keep details and embellishments above the bust and below the waist.
Everything in between should be plain and simple.
– Some experts say to avoid crop tops and tight-fitted shirts, but I recommend you wear them if they look good.
I have seen people with the rectangle body shape rock these looks.
Tops – You Should Highlight the Bust, Neckline, Shoulders
– Accentuate your chest.
A well-fitted bra will lift the chest and draw the eye up.
Shop for tops with embellishments like ruffles that create the illusion of a bigger bust.
– Accentuate your neckline.
Wear tops with embellishments and details around the neckline.
Low necklines elongate the body and wide necklines widen the shoulders.
V-necklines accomplish both functions.
– Accentuate the upper body and arms.
Wide detailed sleeves with embellishments – such as lace, cuffs embroidery, and draped fabrics are very flattering.
They help shift the attention away from the waistline and into your arms.
– Widen shoulders. You can do this through visual aids like wide necklines that visually elongate your shoulder line.
Or styling and accessories that make the shoulders appear wide.
Cap sleeves or shoulder pads are an example.
– Accentuate the hips.
Tops with embellishments, that flare from the waist down are great to accentuate the hips.
Find the video resume below of the best tops for you with photos.
Coats/Jackets for The Rectangle Body Shape
Role of Coats/Jackets in your Closet: Coats/Jackets create structure and shape.
Feel: The right coats/jackets have structured lines above the waist.
It will naturally make you look longer while still creating curves.
What to Look for in jackets? Look for coats/jackets that define the waist and elongate your body.
How? Continue reading.
Coats/Jackets – Should Be Long, Belted and Colourful
– Belted styles flatter on this body shape because they create shape and define the waist.
You can add a belt to any coat to create a defined waist.
You want your coats/jackets to flare from the waist.
– Straight cuts, especially when open to elongate your body by adding long vertical lines.
This also has a slimming effect.
– The length of your coat/jacket makes a crucial difference to how you look.
Shop for coats/jackets that end at the hip or longer.
Crop jackets should be avoided.
– Bold, colourful designs are a better fit with details above the waist to structure the shoulder lines.
Bottoms For The Rectangle Body Shape
Role of Bottoms in your Closet: Bottoms maximize the lower body and balance the silhouette.
Feel: The right bottom style for the rectangle body widens your hips and matches the volume added to your shoulders.
What to Look for in Bottoms? Look for bottoms that elongate the legs and draw the eye down and away from the waist.
Best Jeans/Trousers
– High-waist or mid-waist styles with wide-legs are the best fit for this body shape.
– You want your jeans/trousers to go straight down from the widest part of your hips or flare down at the bottom.
It adds width to your lower half and balances the volume added on the shoulders.
– Bright colours and patterns are all great for you.
Because you have flat hips, details in the back and sides like pockets, buttons, and embroidery will add curves to your hips.
Cargo pants do this very well.
– Some experts say that skinny jeans/trousers accentuate the waist too much and make your upper body look flat, but I have seen the rectangle body rock these styles as well.
So I recommend you to wear what you think looks good.
Best Skirts
– High-waisted skirts are the best for this body shape because they elongate the body and define the waist.
– Straight skirts elongate the body and hug your hips. A skirt that flows away from the body creates the illusion of fuller hips.
Flared skirts, just like flared jeans, look good and balance the volume added on the shoulders.
A-line, tiered, pleated and pencil skirts are flattering for the same reasons.
– Mini skirts and knee-length skirts flatter the legs and show them off.
– Bright colours, details, and patterns draw the eye to the lower body.
Best Shorts
– The best short styles for the rectangle body are mid or high-waist combined with a wide-leg or a loose fit.
This longer style and a wider hemline will elongate the body.
– Details, like ruches, drawings, and pockets at the front, work best to bring attention to the hips and create a fuller butt.
Find the video resume below of the best bottoms for you with photos.
One-Piece Outfits for The Rectangle Body Shape
Role of One-Piece Outfits in your Closet: One-piece outfits have the combined roles of tops and bottoms.
Dresses have the combined role of tops and skirts.
Jumpsuits have the combined roles of tops and jeans/trousers.
Playsuits have the combined roles of tops and shorts.
Feel: The right one-piece outfit will define the waistline and elongate the body.
What to Look for in one-piece outfits? Look for one-piece outfits with light fabric and many details.
Best One-Piece Outfits
Almost every type of one-piece outfit will complement your body.
But the best ones:
– Define the waist. Belt your outfit at the waist or buy it with a built-in waist.
Wrap dresses or empire cut jumpsuits are examples.
– Fit makes a difference. Wide-leg and straight cut are great styles but skin-tight fits should be avoided.
One-piece outfits that flare at the bottom look very good.
– Highlight your bust, neckline and arms.
Use shoulder, neckline and sleeve details.
Wide and low necklines, bright colours, details and prints are again an asset for you to use.
Find the video resume below of the best one-piece outfits for you with photos.
Outfit Ideas
What’s Next?
Now that you know the theory behind dressing better, it’s time to experiment with fashion.
This does not mean you have to go shopping for new clothes.
You should instead, take the clothes you have in your closet and adjust them to your body shape.
Belts and a well-fitted bra and dresses (belted) are great cheap ways to get started that show you instant results.
There is no point in spending money before trying as much as you can and figuring out your new style.
Mixing and matching clothes according to the instructions in this guide is also a great way to start.
You can build your closet as you evolve on this fashion journey.
Remember that a learning curve is required, but practice makes perfect.
Don’t be discouraged and remember that if the clothes don’t look good, the problem lies with the clothes, not with you!
Change clothes or adjust them to your shape and try again.
You can look beautiful and confident with the outfit of your choice regardless of your body shape!
Find the video resume below of the main guidelines for you with photos.
I have seen the results of dressing for my body shape.
Not only my style but also my confidence improved.
I was no longer self-conscious or tried to cover my body.
Instead, I understood how to make the best of my features and use them in my favour to feel and look beautiful.
You too will see the results!
Thank you for reading this guide.
I sincerely hope it was helpful to you.
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Style Guides
The rectangle body already has a balanced silhouette. But it is flat with no curves. For this reason, you should focus on the waistline and create the illusion of curves there.
The hips are the widest part of the pear body. As we try to balance your proportions, the tendency is to narrow the hips and accentuate the upper body.
The waist is the widest part of the apple body. As we try to balance your proportions, the tendency is to narrow the waistline and create curves to the hips and butt.
The shoulders are the widest part of the inverted triangle body. As we try to balance your proportions,
the tendency is to narrow the shoulders and add volume to the lower body.
The hourglass body already has a balanced silhouette with a defined waist. To best dress this shape, you can leave the upper and lower body untouched and instead belt the waistline.