The rectangle shape is known for a straight up-and-down figure, and if you are an overweight rectangle, you’ll notice your straight figure is less obvious. It is critical to find the right clothing styles because they can create totally different impressions of your body. The right styles make you look slimmer and taller, while the wrong styles do quite the opposite. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to known to flatter your unique shape.
Characteristics
- Lack of prominent curves
- Even distribution of weight
- No waist definition
- Same size of hips and bust
This body type typically has a straight silhouette on a bigger body, which means that your styling goal should focus on narrowing your waist to introduce a curvy silhouette.
Here is a selection of tops, pants, dresses and skirts that will accentuate your looks and make you stand out beautifully.
Peplum tops
A key feature of the overweight rectangle body shape is the lack of a defined waistline and this can easily be corrected by wearing peplum tops. Peplum tops pull the eyes in and this is necessary to create the illusion of a naturally curvy waistline.
Therefore, you can tone down your overweight straight silhouette when you wear peplum tops with the ruffled flare flowing towards the hips. The extra volume created around this area is instrumental to encouraging the illusion of an hourglass-like silhouette.
However, the neckline you choose for your peplum top plays a huge role in creating the desired effects. I’m a huge fan of the V-neckline and the good news is that this is one of the most flattering styles out there for overweight rectangle shape women.
So, choose peplum tops with this neckline to get an amazing result on your silhouette.
Belted tops
Even for overweight women with a rectangle body shape, creating a defined waistline should be a top priority. By focusing on this aspect of your body, you can encourage the illusion of a smaller waist which makes your lower and upper body appear curvier.
A belted top is an effortless way to achieve this result. However, it’s a good idea not to go for bulky belts as you don’t want to draw attention to your tummy area if you have a bulge. A medium-sized belt will do just fine.
A lot of these belted tops also come with the belts fitted. So, feel free to tie this towards the side of your torso to achieve an elegant and firm fit on your body. Belted tops with a V-neckline will also visually lengthen your shoulders such that this extra volume will enhance a more feminine silhouette.
Wrap tops
Wrap tops are appealing to almost every woman that wants to enjoy the benefit of creating lovely curves on the body. For overweight rectangle shape women, there’s a high chance you’ll love this elegant top because they are super easy to style.
As soon as you put it on, it feels a lot like it was made for your body type. However, this only works if you don’t go for an oversized wrap top in an attempt to hide a few parts of your body that you think don’t flatter your shape.
Just leave it all to your wrap top to give you the waist definition you need to achieve a curvier body frame. Waist definition on your overweight rectangle shape will help to create a more streamlined silhouette, making you appear slimmer and elongated.
X-line dresses
An X-line dress is styled to resemble the letter X and is one of the best styles out there for overweight women looking for a flattering fit.
Although the A-line dress is significantly more popular than this style in the fashion world, this is a hidden gem that can be your go-to dress for various occasions, whether formal or informal.
The X-line dress is unique because it focuses more on the upper half of your body where it makes your shoulders appear broader. This effect can then be felt around your hip region as broader shoulders help to create the illusion of a narrower waistline.
Meanwhile, there’s also the necessary amount of volume added to your lower body such that it appears in proportion with your upper body as well. Overall, you have the perfect recipe to enhance your best features and seamlessly achieve a feminine curvier silhouette.
Ruched waist dresses
Create the illusion of a curvy shape by wearing ruched waist dress on your rectangle body shape. This style of dress is great for this body type, especially if you’re overweight, because it helps to slim down your silhouette.
A major goal with your dress choices is to enhance the illusion of curves which will have a shapely and feminine outlook perfect for any occasion. With ruched dresses appearing horizontally across your waistline, you have this covered.
Remember that ruching comes in different styles and forms, so be sure to choose one that doesn’t appear vertically or this would make you appear bigger. Use horizontal ruching, possibly at the edges of your dress, to highlight your best features and create a more defined waistline.
An amazing way to spice this up is to look out for ruched waist dresses with round necklines as these will flatter your upper body as well.
Pants with vertical prints
Apart from wearing clothes that evenly add more volume to both halves of your body, you can also invest in pants with vertical prints that have a natural slimming quality.
For overweight women with a rectangle body shape, you can take advantage of prints to truly bring your best features to life. Vertical prints are definitely your best friend, especially when they are not too thick on your pants.
Slim prints on your pants have a way of visually elongating your frame such that this presents a more slender silhouette. You can play around with monochromatic colors to truly achieve an elegant and sophisticated look as the goal is to strategically add volume.
Meanwhile, you can create a more curvy and feminine silhouette around your hips when you use prints on your pants. Pairing this with a simple top with a round or v-neck can ensure this effect is felt all-round.
Pleated pants
Flowy, pleated pants have a relaxed yet firm fit on the body that contribute volume to your lower body so you can have a curvier silhouette. However, you should know that there are different kinds of pleated pants.
Fitted pants can be pleated while some have their pleats restricted to just the waistbands. The type you should go for as an overweight rectangle shape woman is one that doesn’t stay extra tight on your body frame.
Instead, the goal is to use the flowy style of the pleated pants to strategically add volume to the bottom half of your body so as to create the illusion of curves.
Pleated pants will make your bottom half pop beautifully, and you don’t have to go over the top to style them. So, use this simple yet stylish pleated pants to transform your body shape.
Tiered skirts
The beautiful effect of tiered skirts on the overweight rectangle body shape is that it helps to balance your body shape. Tiered skirts have layers that makes the skirt more dramatic and this is the effect you need to create a more defined waistline on your rectangle body type.
With this, you can evenly spread the positive effect all around your lower body, thereby encouraging a more feminine silhouette as opposed to a rectangle outlook. One of the best ways to style your tiered skirts is with a plain round neck top.
However, if you have a muffin top, you shouldn’t tuck this in as it would make your tummy bulge more obvious. Encouraging volume on your lower half can add more shape to your figure, which is just what you need to make your rectangle shape transform into a curvier form that makes you stand out all the time.
Empire waist skirts
Since empire waist skirts don’t excessively hug the body and emphasize the straight silhouette, this is a top choice for overweight women with a rectangle body shape. The design starts fitted around the waistband before flowing out into pleats that don’t fit on the body.
The gentle flare of empire waist skirts work in your favor as it’s always best to avoid skirts that emphasize your straight silhouette by being excessively figure-hugging. Instead, this style of skirt has a relaxed fit on the body that helps to stylishly add more volume to your bottom half to create a curvier silhouette.
With this, you can tilt more towards an hourglass-like silhouette where both your upper and lower body appear more balanced. Feel free to combine this with a pair of flats on your feet that complete this breathtaking look.
Avoid dresses with shoulder ruffles
Avoid making the terrible error of wearing dresses with shoulder ruffles as this extra volume on your upper body only will throw your entire silhouette off balance. It’s always better to wear dresses that add volume to both halves of your body to ensure a more balanced body frame.
However, shoulder ruffles will draw more focus towards this area of your body, also adding more volume to your bust area. Since there is no corresponding volume on the lower half of your body, there’s a high chance that this will have you looking weird and not sexy.
Therefore, it’s best to completely avoid dresses with ruffles around the shoulders or only one part of the body without a corresponding feature to enhance other parts.
Avoid cargo pants
Cargo pants have a straight silhouette and typically come with pockets, both features that are not flattering for overweight women with a rectangle body shape.
Plus size women will not find cargo pants a great choice for their body type because they have the tendency to lead to a bulkier lower body. This can completely affect your entire silhouette such that it projects more of a body frame that looks like a giant round ball.
Cargo pants are too disruptive on the body frame if you are a plus size woman and it’s best to avoid them.
Avoid straight skirts
Straight skirts are not a good combo with an already straight body shape. This will make your straight silhouette more obvious while also drawing attention to the extra weight on your lower body.
Therefore, it’s not a great idea to wear this style of skirt if you want to create a curvier outlook. Straight skirts can also be quite uncomfortable because they leave little room to move your legs around freely.
If these are long towards your ankles, you may find yourself have restricted movement and this is not a great way to spend your day. Knowing that straight skirts can be both unflattering and uncomfortable for overweight women with a rectangle body shape, it’s best to completely avoid them.
Lean more towards skirt styles that have flares or pleats designed to add volume to your lower half such that you can create the illusion of curves. Tiered skirts and empire waist skirts which have been mentioned earlier are both great styles that will help you achieve this.