Slim Rectangle Body Type, Average Height (5’3” to 5’7”)
Tops and Dresses
Wrap tops, surplice, and V-neck tops are great because the V that they make brings the eye to the center, which will make your shoulders appear to be wider and your waist to be smaller.
Puff sleeves or flutter sleeves, boat necks, tops with wide spaghetti straps, camisole tops, or halters to show lots of skin outside straps all work to make the shoulders appear wider.
Either a strapless or sweetheart neckline will not only make your shoulders appear to be wider but make your waist look a little smaller when they are compared.
Wrap dresses help create the width in the shoulder area that you need and when paired with a belt or tie in the middle, helps define your waist.
Empire dress to fit at the top and puff out at the hips. Dresses with an empire waist are also good because they are a little more fitted around the bust and give you an instant waist.
Surplice tops
Pants and Jeans
Low-rise stovepipe pants or skinny jeans draw more attention to your hip area and help you to look curvier.
Pants and jeans for the rectangle body shape should have details like pockets at the side to add curves to the hips.
Try capris that stop just above the widest part of your calf to help make you look taller and slimmer.
Skirts
The best skirts for the banana body shape are those that flare out from the waist. They make your waist look smaller and your hips a bit wider. Full skirts, A-line, and gored skirts are good choices for you to consider.
A straight skirt that cinches at the waist with a peplum jacket on top will give you an instant hourglass shape!
Skirts that have side slits are also great for showing off your legs, which makes you appear taller.
Blazers, Jackets, and Coats
Wear puffed-sleeve or cap sleeve blazers or jackets to widen the appearance of your shoulders.
Go for a blazer with a low stance, meaning, the button is lower than the waist, which will pull attention inward and make your waist look smaller.
Low-stance blazers
Accessories and Shoes
Try necklaces that fall into a long curve or a v-neck like pendant necklaces.
Wear a smaller purse with straps that allow the purse to hit at your hip.
Wear shoes with pointy toes or sling backs to make calves look more shapely.
Medium Build Rectangle Body Type of Average Height
Dresses and Tops
Dresses with an empire waist are good because they are a little more fitted around the bust and give you an instant waist.
Consider dresses with built-in corsets, because they help define your waist.
Remember to balance! If you get an A-line dress, for example, you need a detail at the top for your shoulders to appear balanced, like a cap or puffed sleeve.
V-neck and U-neck bring the eye to the center, which will make your shoulders appear to be wider and your waist to be smaller.
Wrap dresses are great because the V that they make brings the eye to the center and tie in the center.
You can also try a tunic top. It has the bonus of covering your tummy and when it lands at the hip, you look more balanced.
A peasant top would also look great on you.
Skirts
A-line skirts are also great options, as they make you look like your waist is smaller. Choose one with a wider waistband.
Gored or pleated skirts are good for you because the volume created by the skirt makes your waist look smaller.
Wear medium size prints, which are more proportional.
Pants and Jeans
Low-rise jeans look great on you and make you look curvy.
Boot-cut pants and jeans will give you fullness below the knee, which will also make you look a little curvier.
If you choose to wear the same color from head to toe, try a belt or tie at your waist in a contrasting color for maximum waist definition.
Blazers, Jackets, and Coats
Trench coats are great for you because of the structured shoulder and cinching at the waist.
Try a peplum jacket that hits at your hip to give the appearance of wider hips.
Accessories and Shoes
Try bangles or cuffs as your accessories, as they tend to be a little more substantial and proportional for you.
A belt worn at the top of your hip or on the fullest part of your hip will work well with your build to make your hips appear a little wider than your waist.
The best shoes on you have a pointy toe or peep toe and have at least a medium height (2-3”) heel.
Full–Size Rectangle Body of Average Height
Tops and Dresses
Wrap tops, surplice tops, and V-neck tops are great because the V that they make brings the eye to the center, which will make your shoulders appear to be wider and your waist to be smaller.
Dresses with an empire waist are also good because they are a little more fitted around the bust and give you an instant waist.
Boatneck tops to widen shoulders and balance with a-line skirt etc on the bottom. A-line skirts are also great options, as they make you look like your waist is smaller.
Skirts
Gored or semi-circle skirts are good for you because the volume created by the skirt makes your waist look smaller.
If you choose to wear the same color from head to toe, try a belt or tie at your waist in a contrasting color for maximum waist definition.
Pants and Jeans
A straight leg gives you more height and therefore elongates your body.
Pants and jeans for the rectangle body shape should have details like pockets at the side to add curves to the hips.
Blazers, Jackets, and Coats
Opt for peplum or princess cut jackets that fit at the waist. These types of jackets also give you the stronger-looking shoulders you need and a flare at the bottom will make you look curvier.
Chanel-style jackets are a good classic choice for you.
Trench coats are great for you because of the structured shoulder and cinching at the waist.
Accessories and Shoes
Wear full-size accessories, including large necklaces and earrings.
Wear shoes with pointy toes or sling backs to make calves look more shapely.
Shoes with a peep toe or d’Orsay cut are also great choices.
Plus Size Rectangle Body Shape of Average Height
Dresses and Tops
The skin showing as a result of a V-neck or surplice top draws the eye inward.
Wrap dresses help create the width in the shoulder area that you need and when paired with a belt or tie in the middle, helps define your waist.
Boatneck tops to widen shoulders and balance with a-line skirt etc on the bottom. A-line skirts are also great options, as they make you look like your waist is smaller.
Pants and Jeans
Bootcut or flared-leg jeans will make you look a little curvier by adding some extra weight below your knees.
Straight-leg pants are great to give you more height and make your body look more elongated.
Skirts
Circle, gored or full skirts are good for you because the volume created by the skirt makes your waist look smaller.
Any patterns should be medium in size to look proportional.
Blazers, Jackets, and Coats
Opt for peplum or princess cut jackets that fit at the waist. These types of jackets also give you the stronger-looking shoulders you need and a flare at the bottom will make you look curvier.
High-stance blazers (meaning, the button is above the waist) widen shoulders and help hold in your midsection.
Accessories and Shoes
Wear full-size accessories, including large necklaces and earrings
Wear shoes with pointy toes or sling backs to make calves look more shapely.
Shoes with a peep toe or d’Orsay cut are also great choices.
Going shopping online? Start here with this guide to shopping online so you don’t have a fashion fail!
