What's the difference in dressing for a Triangle vs a Rectangle?

ironkurtin

My shoulders are wider than my hips, so I guess that's a triangle. (It may just be from working out, but hey.) What's the difference in dressing a T from a R?

I looked at Angie's guidelines, but I'm still a little bit baffled. Any productive tips?

12 years ago

Body Type

8 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it depends on many factors. Do you want to de-emphasize those shoulders, or not? If they've come from working out and you are proud of them, your goal may not be to hide them, as many of the fashion guidelines suggest you do. Ditto for narrower hips.

If you want to create the illusion of an hourglass, you'll want to do something to focus on the waist, but whether that "something" differs between the IT and the R, I don't know...I suspect it might depend more on whether you are short or long-waisted and large or small busted vs. IT or R.

Lotta help I am, eh? Sheesh!

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Ha! Okay, if it helps, I measured from the top of my hips (OK, my hipbone, because - what hips?) to the top of my head, then from the top of my hipbone down to my feet. The second measurement was WAY longer. Per the guidelines on the link Una (Alaskagirl) posted, I guess that means I have long legs.

As for the torso, I don't think my waist is long proportionate to the rest of my torso, but it isn't short, either. I just don't have hips. Or a waist. Depending on how you look at it.

I don't think I want to look hourglassy. I just don't want to look like a dude. Because I'm pretty boy-shaped with B-cups.

12 years ago

bran888

Active Member

hmm I think that conventionally the difference is that as a rectangle, you want to try to add volume top and bottom, while as an IT, you just want to add volume on the bottom. However, Suz is right that it really depends on your preferences. Are there particular features you want to emphasize? Clothing styles you feel great in? If you're comfortable, you could post some pictures and people could probably advise you better?

12 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I think balancing the bottom is pretty key at least for me. I feel like an ice cream cone in skinnies unless I have a substantial boot on the bottom to add some balance to the bottom half--the same goes with slim skirts. I feel I look more proportional when I wear a skirt that doesn't taper too much at the knee. The only other think I try to do is avoid boat or ballet neck tops and look for tops with a soft cowl or a vee neck. I also prefer chunkier or wedge heels--you won't find a single stilleto or kitten heel in my closet. HTH. Just my 2 cents. YMMV.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Very interesting kellygirl. I'm an IT too, but I've always been afraid of chunky shoes because my legs are so thin. I agree about the boat neck tops! A short puffed sleeve is not my best look either, and rectangles can probably rock these no problem.

Another thing ironkurtin, is that IT's can wear light colored bottoms and all the cargo pockets they want....but who knows, maybe rectangles can, too!

12 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

@Claire: The heels are probably my own personal hang up. I'm of the "solid" variety of IT--the kind that looks like a linebacker. I think you and Una look more delicate and petite so you can get away with the less chunky heels : ) I look like a man in drag when I wear stillettos--from the back at least. LOL!

12 years ago

Heather

Veteran

Kelly! LOL! I logged in JUST to say that you never, ever look like a man in drag. You couldn't even attempt!!

IK: Could we see a picture of lovely you?!

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I thought the same as bran: if you want to balance out an IT shape, avoid horizontal lines that will emphasize the shoulders, and aim for more volume on the bottom half (skirts that flare, brighter colors, etc.) For a rectangle, I usually think more about creating a waist than balancing the bottom half.

12 years ago

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