The plus size rectangle shape have generous curves, but in the meantime also are known for a straight up and down figure. This comprehensive guide will take a deep dive to fully understand your body features, and help you find the most suitable styles to accentuate your assets and camouflage your weaknesses accordingly.
Characteristics
- Hips and bust are usually the same size
- Lack of waist definition
- Weight is usually evenly distributed across the body
- No curves, therefore this body type can be described as straight
Tops
Accentuate your looks with the right selection of tops as these choices will help you create curves.
What to look for
- Styles that create curves on your silhouette
- Necklines that visually lengthen your shoulders
- Tops with loose and wide sleeves
Round neck tops
When it comes to the plus-size rectangle shape, your choice of neckline matters. You should look out for tops with necklines that can create curves on your body shape. This is where round necklines come in. These are perfect for drawing attention upwards and creating extra volume that contributes to a curvier outlook. Other necklines that work great for plus size rectangle shape women are sweetheart, scoop and wide v-necklines.
Peplum tops
Go all out with peplum tops if you would like to wear tops that give you a more defined waistline while pulling the eyes in. For the plus-size rectangle shape, this is incredibly flattering, especially when it comes in a v-neckline.
Wrap top
One of the most appealing features of wrap tops is that they are easy to style. Wrap tops definitely feel tailor-made for plus size rectangle shape women due to how they effortlessly add waist definition to their body frame. All it takes to look beautifully feminine is to put on a wrap top that fits just right on your figure.
What to avoid
While round and v-necklines are flattering for the rectangle shape, square and straight necklines are the exact opposite. They make your rectangle body shape appear more pronounced.
Jeans
If you identify as a plus size rectangle shape woman, there’s a high chance that you have firm legs that lean more towards the slender side. Here’s how you can style them with jeans.
What to look for
- Jeans with elongation effect on your legs so they make them appear longer
- Visually add curves
- Add bulk to your hips and legs
Bootcut jeans
This style of jeans has a slight flare at the bottom which is just enough to add subtle curves and volume to the lower half of your body. Bootcut jeans are effective at softening your natural rectangle body frame which is usually a straight silhouette. With this, you can create the illusion of curves and work towards an hourglass-like outlook. However, even excessive flares can have terrible results. So, avoid bootcut jeans with very wide flares.
Straight leg jeans
Overall, your best features are your semi-athletic build that can be adjusted to give a curvy outlook with the right clothing styles. Straight leg jeans can help plus size rectangle shape women to accentuate their best features by adding more volume to their overall body frame.
Boyfriend jeans
These are loose-fitting jeans that have a relaxed fit on the plus size rectangle body shape. The advantage is that this is super comfortable without adding more curves than necessary to the bottom half of your body.
What to avoid
Although boyfriend jeans are a loose-fitting style, these are not baggy. Plus-size women with a rectangle shape shouldn’t wear baggy as this is not flattering to their silhouette and can contribute to a visually shortened appearance.
Pants
With the right set of pants, you can transform your rectangle shape by creating the illusion of curves on your silhouette.
What to look for
- Pants with a relaxed fit that stays firm on your waistline
- Long pants as the hemline matters
Pants with prints
As a plus size woman with a rectangle shape, prints are your best friend. One way to stand out beautifully is to add more volume to your lower body and wearing pants with prints is a great way to achieve this. With bold prints and patterns on your pants, you can easily add more texture and detail to your outfit. This extra volume can contribute to a curvy silhouette so you appear more feminine.
Flared pants
Flared pants are just as effective as flared jeans for rectangle shape women. With flared pants, you can easily balance out your plus size rectangle shape without going over the top. One thing you will love about flared pants is that you don’t have to break the bank before achieving maximum positive results.
Pleated pants
This is not referring to pleated waistbands. Instead, the magic is in wearing flowy, pleated pants that have a loose yet relaxed fit on the body frame. The effect of this is that it creates more volume on the bottom half of your body, just like flared pants and printed pants. The pleats don’t have to be exaggerated, so keep it simple and stylish.
What to avoid
Getting the right fit is important for rectangle shaped women. Therefore, try as much as possible to avoid baggy pants as they tend to create an unbalanced silhouette. The goal is to add more volume to the lower part of your body, so that you can have a curvier silhouette. Baggy pants won’t help you achieve this.
Dresses
What style of dresses can you rock to your next formal event? Check out this impressive selection.
What to look for
- Short dresses that show off your legs without being uncomfortable
- Flattering dresses for your torso
- Waist defining effect without creating a tummy bulge
A-line dress
The major feature of the A-line dress is the silhouette of A that it forms on the body, hence its name. However, this is more than just an aesthetical feature as it’s a flattering dress for plus size women with a rectangle shape. The A-line dress is perfect for adding waist definition to your silhouette without drawing attention to your muffin top. This is elegant and stylish, the perfect outfit for numerous occasions.
X-line dress
Although this dress style is not as popular as the A-line dress, it’s still one of the best for plus size women with a rectangle body shape. While the A-line dress has more effect on the bottom half of the body, the X-line dress is more focused on the upper half. It tends to make the shoulders appear broader, which creates the illusion of a narrower waistline and bigger lower body. This is the recipe for a curvier silhouette which enhance the best features of the rectangle shape.
Ruched waist dress
Another way to create the illusion of a curvier silhouette is through the ruched waist dress. This is incredibly flattering for rectangle-shaped women, especially when the ruched design appears horizontally around your waistline. The ruched waist dress is effective at highlighting your best features and creating the illusion of a more defined waistline.
Peplum dress
Create the illusion of a defined waistline with a peplum dress that flares dramatically above your hips and draws more attention to your waist area. If you need more options apart from the X-line and A-line dress, you should definitely consider getting a peplum dress.
What to avoid
Dresses with ruffles are not flattering to your body type as they add volume on only the upper part of your body, especially when the ruffles are around your sleeves. So, it’s best to avoid them. You should also exercise caution with drop waist dresses that create a disproportionate torso.
Skirts
The good news about skirts is that there are numerous styles available and you can’t run out of skirts that are flattering for your rectangle shape.
What to look for
- Add shape to your figure through more detailing
- Extra features like pockets and layers for a curvier look on your hips
Layered skirt
Tune your dressing up with a little more drama using a layered skirt. It’s perfect for balancing your rectangle-shaped body, as it’s effect spread all around. With this, you can have a more defined waistline that encourages a feminine silhouette rather than a square outlook.
A-line skirt
It goes without saying that anything A-line is a huge win for plus size women with a rectangle body shape. So, it’s not surprising that the A-line skirt also makes the list. The A-shape in the bottom half of your body breaks up the straight line of your rectangle shape to create the illusion of a narrower waistline. This is effortlessly elegant.
Empire waist skirt
The design of this skirt starts with a fitted waistband and flows out with pleats that are not figure-hugging. The rectangle body shape works best with skirts that don’t hug the body unnecessarily with a straight silhouette. Therefore, the empire waist skirt is great for a relaxed effect on the body as it adds volume to your bottom half.
What to avoid
Straight skirts will only emphasize your naturally straight and boxy silhouette, which becomes much more pronounced in plus size women. Therefore, it’s best to avoid them.
Outerwear
Jackets shouldn’t be used to hide your body. Instead, you can play them up to emphasize your best assets.
What to look for
- Flares in strategic position to add more waist definition
- Fitted jackets that don’t hide your natural figure
Belted jackets
For every body type that needs to create waist definition and the illusion of curves, belted jackets can come to the rescue. This applies to plus size women with a rectangle body shape as well. Be sure to choose belts that are not bulky or overwhelming on your body. The thickness should be a maximum of 5cm as the beauty is in how easy it is to adjust your belt to create a slim-looking waist.
Peplum jackets
Similar to peplum tops, peplum jackets usually include a short flare around the waistline. Although it looks simple and insignificant, this is far from the truth. This design on peplum jackets is responsible for creating the illusion of wider hips and a more defined waistline. This drives the feminine outlook of your silhouette up while significantly making your ensemble pop.
What to avoid
Any jacket with a boxy silhouette is an emphatic no. These will only make you look bigger and wider, while hiding your best assets. Another jacket style to avoid is the double-breasted coat as these typically have large buttons that make you look wider.
If you’ve been a little confused about what styles of clothing will work amazingly well with your body type, this guide has everything you need to transform your wardrobe and bring your outfits to life.
