If your silhouette tends to be linear, with shoulders, waist, and hips in similar proportions, today's post is for you. In it, we'll help you understand your body type, discover which garments enhance it, and, above all, enjoy the process of dressing thoughtfully, comfortably, and with style.
What is a rectangular body?
The rectangular body shape is one of the many silhouette types that exist. As its name suggests, it is a figure where the shoulders, waist, and hips are similarly sized, creating a straighter, more harmonious line from top to bottom.
It's sometimes called a straight body or "athlete" body because it's often associated with a slender figure with little natural definition around the waist. But before continuing with this post, we want to clarify that beyond labels, it's important to understand that there's no "ideal" shape. The "ideal" is learning to identify your silhouette so you can dress with purpose, comfort, and style, highlighting what makes you feel like yourself.
Advantages of this type of bodies
The rectangular body offers a multitude of possibilities when it comes to dressing, and that's a wonderful advantage. The natural balance between the shoulders, waist, and hips means that many garments fall fluidly and harmoniously, without the need for excessive adjustments.
One of its greatest strengths is its versatility. Fancy a relaxed, minimalist look? It looks great. Want to accentuate curves or play with volume? You can do that with ease, too.
Plus, since there's no pronounced difference between hips and shoulders, it's very easy to create visual symmetry with strategic pieces or key accessories. In other words, you can use clothing as a creative tool to highlight what you love most about yourself.
How do I know if I am rectangular?
If you're still not sure whether your body shape is actually rectangular, we'll explain how to find out:
- Your shoulders, waist and hips have similar measurements, without a very marked difference.
- Your waist is not very visually defined, and your silhouette looks more linear or straight.
- You usually feel that clothes fit you equally well on top as they do on the bottom, without noticing any major imbalances.
- When you look at yourself in the mirror, your figure appears to be a smooth rectangle, without many pronounced curves.
A practical way to check this is to take your measurements with a tape measure. If the difference between your waist and your hips or shoulders is less than 20-25 cm, you probably fit into this category.
You may also be interested in: triangle body .
What favors a rectangular body?
Okay, so you've figured out this is your body type. Now you're probably wondering exactly what to do, or rather, what to use, to make it as flattering as possible. So, here's how:
- Define your waist: Even if your waist isn't naturally defined, you can create that visual impression with fitted clothing, belts, or strategic cuts.
- Add volume up or down: Garments with ruffles, pleats, soft shoulder pads, or puffed sleeves on the top help balance and shape.
- Play with cuts and textures: Fitted jackets, peplum tops, high-waisted pants, or A-line dresses are great allies for adding movement and shape to your figure.
- Choose fabrics with drape or structure: Rigid fabrics accentuate straightness, while fabrics with drape or body provide naturalness and visual balance.
Recommended upper garments
Let's get a little more specific. For a rectangular body, the following pieces are essential in your wardrobe. They'll all help you highlight curves, add movement, and reflect style without sacrificing comfort.
Ideal blouses and tops
- Classic Vichy Shirt : The Vichy shirt can be tied in a knot in the middle that creates volume right at the top, cinching in at the waist.
- Roma Top : The Roma Top has bare shoulders and wide straps, making it perfect for highlighting that area of the body and making the waist appear smaller.
- Sabia Top : The Sabia Top cut is perfect for wearing with high-waisted pants or skirts, since the straight cut creates the difference we are looking for between the hips, shoulders and waist.
Blazers, vests and coats
If you have to go to the office or like to dress a little more formally, the following are excellent options:
- Milano Cardigan : The Milano Cardigan in apricot is ideal for spring outfits and looks perfect with blouses, shirts or tops.
- Openwork Jersey : You can wear the Openwork Jersey inside tailored trousers, for example.
- Double Cardigan : Cardigans can also be worn inside clothing, either tucked in at the waist or left open.
Recommended prints or colors
Large, floral, geometric, or asymmetrical prints work especially well, especially when used on garments like full skirts, pants, or blouses. As for colors, combining light and dark tones helps create optical effects that better define the figure. For example, wearing a light shade on top and a darker color on the bottom (or vice versa) creates contrast and adds dimension.
Ideal garments for the lower part
For rectangular silhouettes, bottoms help create movement, define the waist, and add volume wherever you choose.
Pants and shorts
- Opt for high-waisted, defined-rise pants, such as jeans or sustainable jeans , which help create the illusion of a more defined waist without being tight.
- Sustainable women's shorts, whether in light or dark tones, add volume to the hips and legs, visually balancing the figure. The natural fabric and comfortable cut enhance movement.
Skirts
- Choose full or voluminous skirts like theBrisa skirt , fitted at the waist but with volume towards the bottom.
- It is also an excellent option to use satin skirts , since the shine of the skirt creates a lot of contrast.
Dresses that stylize a rectangular body
Dresses are great allies for adding shape and femininity to a rectangular silhouette. The key is to choose designs that define the waist, such as:
- Dresses with cuts that mark the waist, Isola style, as they help define the center of the body and create the illusion of curves.
- Wrap dress models, which visually slim the waist and focus attention on the midsection.
- Dresses with ruffles or layers on the skirt, which add volume to the lower part, visually balancing the shoulders and creating proportion.
Key garments and accessories
There are garments and accessories that, while simply details, add volume and help you play with proportions. For example:
- A belt is your best friend for transforming a straight silhouette into a curvy one. Opt for wide or medium-sized belts that you can place right at the waist to create that hourglass effect.
- Oversized or layered necklaces add volume to the top and draw attention to the face and décolletage.
Sneakers or footwear
Comfort should also be style, that's why:
- Barefoot sneakers in neutral tones are versatile and go with everything, ideal for a casual and modern look.
- Ankle boots with a slight heel or platform elevate your posture and stylize your legs, creating more dynamic lines.
- Barefoot sandals and barefoot ballet flats are two essentials that you can't miss for summer looks.
Style and fashion tips for the rectangular body
Dressing a rectangular body is an invitation to play with shapes, textures, and volumes to highlight your figure. Here are some tips that will make you feel fabulous and comfortable:
- Define your waist with belts, crossover garments, or knots that give shape without tightening.
- Try lightweight layers like an open blazer or vest to create slimming vertical lines.
- Play with volume with puffed sleeves, flared skirts, or paperbag pants to add visual curves.
- Choose fabrics with movement such as linen, organic cotton, or soft fabrics that complement your natural lines.
- Don't forget small, repetitive prints that work great to add texture without breaking the harmony.
- V-necklines or sweetheart necklines add length and femininity to the torso.
What to avoid if you have a rectangular body?
We don't believe in strict rules, but we do believe in getting to know you to choose what resonates best with you. If you want to avoid a more rigid or shapeless silhouette, here are some details to keep in mind:
- Garments that are too straight or loose without structure or waistband.
- Stiff, motionless fabrics that don't follow your shape or add fluidity to the outfit.
- Straight-cut pants or skirts without pleats or volume, as they can visually stiffen the bottom.
- Completely monochromatic and flat looks, without contrast, texture or layers to create depth.
- Square or very closed necklines, which do not stylize the neck or add lightness to the torso.
Do you have a rectangular body? Learn how to style it with style at Clotsy Brand.
Every body is unique, and understanding its shape is the first step to dressing confidently, comfortably, and harmoniously. Recognizing this not only helps you better connect with your personal image, but also helps you choose clothes that truly represent you and make you feel good.
At Clotsy Brand , we believe that clothing should adapt to you, your silhouette, and your personality. That's why our garments are designed to naturally enhance your best, with sustainable fabrics that move with you.
Dress with intention, authenticity, and comfort… choose clothes that take care of you and the planet, choose Clotsy Brand .
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a rectangular body is simply another way to be unique. It's not about fitting into a mold, but rather about understanding your silhouette and dressing it with love, comfort, and purpose. True style is born when you express yourself with freedom, sustainability, and confidence. Explore, experiment, combine, and play with fashion from a conscious perspective.
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