Angie, is it true that most models are racy rectangles?

I think models are inverted triangles.

I am jealous of all you rectangles that can wear all those cute funky shift dresses with high necklines. Please wear them for me!

Thanks for this update Angie. I feel that the top part of this post quite a lot, as I am pretty close to a rectangle from the hips up.

Thank you so much for the revised guidelines Angie, I can’t begin to tell you how helpful the original guidelines were to me after having Emmy and my figure changed overnight. They were responsible for me regaining my style mojo.

One quick question, what is an Armani neckline?

This post was eagerly awaited and didn’t disappoint. I learned much from it, like why wrap dresses just don’t seem to work on my rectanguar body (bust too small), and why my AT white denim skirt doesn’t seem flattering (too short and doesn’t taper at the side), etc.
I would add that hip pockets on jeans with flaps or the right placement seem to help create curves. Also, I’ve discovered that big swirly or curvy prints (geometric or floral) can really give the impression that one has curves while some boxy, evenly spaced geometrics have the opposite effect.

Laura, as Maya correctly pointed out, many models are extra tall inverted triangles, but there’s a fair share of rectangular shaped models too. I’d say it’s an even split between the two body types.

Anne, I agree that from the waist up these guidelines serve you well. I like that you chimed in to say that because selecting different portions from the various guidelines to dress your own unique body is what it’s all about.

Julie, that’s sweet of you to share. So glad that the guidelines helped. An Armani neckline is a halter style that has thin straps at the neck shoulder points instead of built up shoulders. Does that make sense?

Joy, those are excellent points! Perhaps that’s why I love big polka dots – the round shapes contrast against the straight lines on my body. And I too can’t fill out a wrap dress. We’ll leave that to the hot hourglasses.

Maya, I’ll wear those dresses with pleasure for you

Thank you for the in-depth guidelines, As a rectangular hourglass, I can see now why I lean toward high necklines, sheaths, and button downs. Like Joy, I have never been able to make a wrap dress work for me. After reading this, I’m eager to add more belts and voluminous tops to my wardrobe.

Thank you for the expanded guidelines, Angie! I’ve taken most of them to heart. I always liked button-down shirts and structured jackets, but conquering pencil skirts and belts was only thanks to YLF. To be honest, I haven’t explored volume much, although I am not opposed to it, I am just generally slow! Perhaps I should enlist the help of our queen of volume looking for the right pieces
No wrap dresses for me either, Joy and Debora! I think my preference for wovens comes from the desire to add shape and structure – knitted fabrics don’t seem to drape well on a straight body.

From the front view, I’m a rectangle with small bust, strong ribcage and shoulders, and straightish hips. From the side view, I’m a pear with curvy behind. So, I’ve been trying to dress as a rectangle on top and pear on the bottom. Dresses and woven tops can be a tough fit for me, but knits, pants and sweaters are usually pretty easy for me to fit.

Thank you thank you thank you!! I am a very definite rectangle with tummy, no waist definition at all, and defined shoulders. I struggle with volume because I fear it will make me look even more boxy. So many tips out there are for ladies with curves, it is so helpful to read these tips for those of us that do not. I don’t have any clever tips to add other than the belt trick you mentioned on another post. Layering a cardigan or jacket over my belt creates waist definition where there is actually none!

I am a rectangle body type, well-endowed on the top, with no bottom. A tip I always use is to seek out slacks or jeans with flap pockets to fill in what I don’t have below. The Hudson jeans with the triangle flap buttoned pockets on the rear are particularly good. Also, no one ever talks about shapewear for the less-endowed bottom. That’s very important as it can really create an illusion of fullness. We just have to seek out the lifting kind of shapewear, not the flattening or reducing type. I’ve even seen shapewear that that has no fabric at all over the buttock, but has a kind of doughnut effect to lift. Yeah, I won’t go there!

Thanks for the revised guidelines, Angie! I like how you not only make suggestions but explain very succintly why they work for the rectangular body.

I’ve become a big fan of layer a cropped jacket over my voluminous top or dress. It gives structure to a relaxed outfit.

Again Angie , this information is invaluable, clear and easy to apply to ones daily wardrobe. I love how you make it so clear that these are guidelines, and you could have a secondary shape as well. Nothing is written in stone here, so each of us can take what works…you have showed us how to apply. Thanks Angie!!!

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Thanks Angie …those r great ideas.I’m a rectangle with a short waist and I carry most of my weight around my love handles.while most of those tips work for me..like jeans and voluminous tops look great..belts of any kind have never looked good..also it’s hard to fond buttondowns that look good. I find empire waist tops to work the best for my body.also layering works great.I find layering with cardigans looks great too.I have cardigans in every single colour..I started buying them after I started reading ylf.thanks for creating this blog

Me too I’m a rectangle and and short wiasted I find that button downs don’t look good on me at all.

Pretty much the principles I live by…so nice to have them all in a handy spot!

Because I have proportionally short legs–unlike most Rectangles–I do find that wearing a slight A-line makes my legs look longer while a voluminous A-line shortens. Luckily taking in the hips is a pretty easy alteration. [Though I now know I should avoid skirts with complicated details unless I want to pay the tailor big bucks for that fix.]

Because I sometimes prefer the ease of a straight skirt vs a pencil or trumpet, I just aim to offset the flat-as-a-board-hips look by choosing one of the rouched, wrapped, nipped in, or peplum-waisted uppers you recommend.

I admit that when the big volume trend hit, I was skeptical of going back to waistlessness both because of the boxiness factor and because full tops make me look a lot bigger from the side.

However, I find that tops with lots of draping and a banded hem worn at the hips help create some softness on my frame and make for nice change from my usual fake-a-waist looks, so every now and again I sacrifice the profile view, ha.

Thanks, Angie! I do embrace voluminous styles. They’re particularly great for hot climates. I can’t wait to get back into belts.

Even though this body type could not possibly differ more dramatically from my own, I love reading your guidelines and understanding how fashion aesthetics work on all figures. Your guidelines have even enabled me to help others from time to time!
But I have to say, the grass is always greener…I envy the variety of styles you ladies can wear, though I confess I’d be sad if I had to give up wrap dresses.

S80 and Evelina, lets hear why the button down shirts don’t work. I’m curious as a kitten!

Well for starters I’m small busted with a short waist with hardly any curve and lovehandles so smaller sizes would fit on my bust but not on the waist and lovehandles .the bigger sizes would fit everywhere else but would be too big on shoulders n bust so I usually get a size that fits on the bust and waist and only close the middle two buttons that would give some definition to the waist and just wear a long cami underneath but I’m never completely happy with the result.I wish I could come to Seattle and go shopping for button downs,dresses,belts and skirts with you since these are all the phobias I have..now that would be a dream come true..well ..some day!!!

Great post, Angie! I love your clear analysis of what works and why. I got rid of some wardrobe orphans because I finally understood why they weren’t working. Creating curves on the bottom is precisely what I’ve had trouble with and you explained it perfectly! Many thanks!

Another great post Angie! I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I am a pretty thin hourglass with not-so-curvy upper body, so apply many of the rectangle guidelines for it.

Thanks Angie, This describes me perfectly! After being on vacation, I am ready to jump in, continue to clean out the orphans and get rid of items that just don’t suit my straight figure. So enjoyed reading the posts from all the girls that have the same problems dressing that I have struggled with.

Thanks for the suggestions from all.

[...] not very curvy, but not without a defined waist either. So I follow the guidelines for both the rectangle and the [...]

[...] probably not exactly an apple, but you might be an hourglass with apple tendencies. Or you’re a rectangle who carries extra around the midriff. Either way, it’s all about choosing and applying the [...]

[...] with them. No, you are probably not exactly an inverted triangle, but you might be an hourglass, rectangle or apple with a broad shoulders or  very strong shoulder line. Either way, it’s all about [...]

Hey, these tips are really handy! It’s always helpful to look at your website, especially when I have had to find a dress for a formal!! Thanks heaps
One thing that you said about wearing tight jeans or leggings to create curves, would that be why when I wear skinny jeans my hips look a lot curvier? I’m pretty sure I’m a rectangle, but my shoulders are only slightly slightly wider than my hips…so I can’t always tell!