Dresses
Best:
- You can wear just about any style of dress as it will look fabulous on your shape of body
- Shift dresses and empire line dresses work well but you can also break the rule and wear dropped waist dresses
- If you are wearing a dress that doesn't do much to your waist, add a waist belt to add more definition
- If you don't want a well-defined waist, you can skim over the waist completely, disguising the fact that your waist isn't much slimmer than your bust and hips
- As well as dresses, jumpsuits will look great on you. Try a halter neck style to show off your shoulders
- You can wear shorter shirt dresses over jeans or skinny pants. Shirt dresses are great for the waistless look
- A high fastening wrap dress will introduce a waist to your rectangle body shape
- Fit-and-flare (the fitted waist defines your midsection, while the roomier skirt adds a little flounce to each step)
- Belted (a flowy dress contrasted with a belt is a great way to cinch the waist and create an hourglass figure)
- Ruched (between the flutter sleeves, swingy skirt and ruched detailing, this dress instantly creates an hourglass shape)
- Puff sleeves (dramatic, ruched sleeves add interesting texture and contrast to the delicate, airy shape of the dress)
- Wrap dresses are especially nice since the draping will fall nicely over the straight body frame and will also create the appearance of curves
- A belt can help to define your waist no matter what dress you wear, even on the most shapeless ones)
- While you want to stay away from baggy or shapeless styles, a shift dress is the one exception to this rule. It's material helps it to sit nicely on a rectangular body with a small bust and flat bottom
- If you choose to opt for dresses that flare quit a bit at the hem, make sure you balance out your top with details or big sleeves, such as ruffles
- Fitted, flare with defined waist (curvy)
- A selection of flattering styles: shift, empire, Princess Seams, wrap, X-line.
Avoid:
- Straight dresses if you want a more curvy effect. But it's good because you can still opt for the waistless look if you truly wish
- The boxy shape
- Boxy and baggy styles and dresses that flare out too wide at the bottom. These will make you look bottom-heavy
- Boxy straight styles (squarish).
Skirts
Best:
- Choose full, tiered, or bubble skirts of any length. Pair with shirts that provide an equal amount of volume to your bust and shoulders to create an hourglass effect
- Find skirts with details, seaming or pockets that add the illusion of curves to your hips
- Wear a tight skirt to highlight that curves you do have or choose a looser style
- A-line skirts work really well for this shape
- A knee-length pencil skirt that tapers in at the side will also add some curves and look good
- Straight skirts are good for the waistless look
- Some ways to add volume to the lower body is through flared hemlines and details such as ruffles, ruching, gathering or pleats. Bright and light colours also help to create volume, as do prints
- Detailed skirts are ideal such as box pleat, bubble, panelled, layered, full circle, trumpet skirts. Pencil skirts look good if they are knee length and tapered in at the sides
- Straight skirts can work in any length as they follow your natural silhouette. But don't forget to define the waist and wear something similar in width on top
- Flaring style that's waist-defining (curvy, defined waist)
- A selection of flattering styles: bubble, full, layered, pencil, A-line.
Avoid:
- Angular A-line skirts that will make you look more shapeless. Instead, opt for a slightly voluminous A-line style
- Also steer clear of too full skirts as they can make you bottom-heavy and create an imbalance, unless you add the same volume on the top
- Angular style (squarish, straight).
Accessories
Best:
- Belts around the waist. Heavy belts can look really good if you're also long-waisted
- 3/4 sleeves usually work really well for rectangle
- Since this body shape is really easy to dress, there are no hard rules for straight body shapes and accessories
- You can opt for classic styles or add some femininity with your bag choices and colours
- You can also choose feminine jewellery to contrast with what may be a really slim and curve-less figure, or you can go for more modern, geometric pieces
- Statement earrings (brings focus up and frames the face beautifully).
