Dress for Your Body Type: Plus Sized Rectangle
The Rectangle body type, sometimes known as the Banana or Straight body shape, is characterized by measurements that are roughly the SAME size.
Your Body Shape Objective
To visually widen both your hips and shoulders to create a smaller waistline.
Cautionary note: Because your shoulders and hips are already balanced, adding volume to only the shoulders OR the hips will throw your silhouette off-kilter. What you do to one... do to the other! This will also help you create a waist that's proportionately smaller.
The best plus size Rectangle body type styles...
- Simultaneously widen shoulders and hips
- Create the illusion of a defined waistline
- Make you look generally taller and slimmer
The following dressing rules apply to all full-figured Rectangle body types, but there are special considerations if you're petite or very tall. If either of these applies to you, start by reading the general dress for your body type rules below before clicking through for additional style tips for your height.
Create a Defined Waist with These Rectangle-Friendly Body Type Styles
Look for plus-size tops that...
- Open up your chest area (cleavage, people, cleavage)
- Create a deep vee to draw the eye inwards and away from your shoulders
- Widen your shoulders (when worn with skirts that pouf out to provide balance)
- Create structure at the shoulder through details like puffed sleeves
- Add feminine curves to your body, such as deep scoop necks
- Are dark in color to slim your waistline
- Have large details
Look for plus-sized jackets that...
- Use seaming to create a curved waistline
- Create a vertical line down your center, such as jackets with rounded collars left open
- Have a high stance to hold in weight around the midriff
- Are constructed in stiff, sturdy fabrics
Wear plus-sized dresses...
- That wrap and tie around the waist
- Paired with a shapely jacket that hits at the waist
- In stiff fabrics
- With a high waist to cinch you in at the narrowest part of your ribcage
- That bell out from the hips to add volume there. (Caution: Beware dresses that flow out from the waist, which adds volume where you don't need it.)
Find plus-sized skirts...
- With a feminine shape and lightweight fabric to create fullness around your hips and bottom
- That hug your waist before flaring out over your hips and bottom
- With medium patterns to draw the eye towards your hips
- Hemmed at or just above the knee
Look for plus-size pants with...
- A straight leg to elongate your body
- A subtle boot cut or flare below the knee to add volume there
- Details at the hip
- Large, round pockets to create the illusion of curves
Accessorize with...
- Large necklaces that draw the eye to your chest
- Long dangly earrings
- Large hip-length shoulder bags
- Heels with eye-catching cut-away arches or peep-toes
- Pointy toe heels to lengthen and slim your silhouette
Put together outfits that...
- Have a dark color on top to slim your torso
- Wear an open dark jacket over a bright colored top to create a vertical line down your torso
- Skim your torso rather than cling to it
Now that you know the absolute best way to dress your plus size Rectangle body type, find out what styles to avoid at all costs. Say no to these Rectangle body type killers!
Taller than 5'7"? Click here for some special body type dressing guidelines.
Shorter than 5'4"? Get your additional body type rules here.