The Rectangle Shape

When you have a rectangle shape, your bust, waist, and hip measurements are almost the same. The best styles for you to wear are straight rather than fitted so that they skim over the waistline.

Wearing the silhouettes and proportions that are best for your shape and height will help you to feel more confident. Many of us attend parties, special functions, and other dressy events during this time of year. Having a nice jacket that you can throw on over your basics elevates them to party-worthy.

A high-low jacket hemline is also a good choice for those of us with flat bottoms and short legs. V-necklines help to make us look taller, and they also flatter a roundish face. Exposing the wrists and forearms with a three-quarter length sleeve helps us look taller and more slender.

Rhinestones and glitter are not for everyone. Sometimes a dramatic scale or shimmering metallic finish is more in tune with our personalities. Crushed velvet might fit your style better than lace, for example, and a deep burgundy instead of bright red might be festive enough for you.

Many thanks to ShopMyFairLady.com for sending me this beautiful jacket by IC Collection for this lesson on dressing the rectangle shape.

My heels and bag are old from Saks Off 5th. The earrings were from Chico’s a few years ago.

12 Comments
  1. I adore this outfit! I love it when a designer uses unique buttons.

    May I share a tip? For those of us with long arms, a more flattering sleeve length is either to the wrist or from just below the elbow and up. Anything that ends just above the wrist tends to make the arms look even longer. If I had this jacket I would either cuff the sleeves up or wear long evening gloves or add large cuff bracelets to fill in the gap.

  2. Thank you for your useful and stylish tips. Such a professional but friendly, warm blog. Always a pleasure to read.

  3. I love your blog. Unlike so many others I check now and then, you never miss! You are so in tune with what looks good on you, Susan. And so classy! It really inspires me. Agree with everything said. Thanks for the great styling tips.

  4. I find your analyses so clear and logical, but am confused about how to apply shape analysis to myself. As a young woman, I had an hourglass figure: bust and hips were the same and a waist 10 inches smaller. Now at 60, pregnancies, surgeries and health conditions have widened my waist so that from the front I look more like a rectangle. However, I still have a full bust and derriere, so from the side, I’m an S shape. If I wear “skimming” clothes I look much, much bulkier. I feel like this gorgeous jacket would emphasize my round rear, curving around it and hanging like a flapping curtain. I’m able to use a lot of your advice, but am struggling to find the most flattering silhouette for a H/S figure like mine.

    1. What is your favorite outfit for your current body? Follow that style in creating your new combos. You may be more of an apple shape now. You are correct; extra fabric equals extra girth.

  5. Thanks for covering my body shape. Love those earrings – I’m going to have to start paying more attention to Chico’s jewelry.

  6. I really, really want to buy your pants, but am 5’2”, 75 years young,132 pounds with a large waist. Any suggestions for what I can buy until you start selling petites?

    1. I am 5′ 6″ and much heavier than you, and I wear the small sizes. I don’t think even the extra small would work unless you would want to get them altered. The one with the split on the ankle is the shortest style.

  7. Have seen more velour popping up in flyers & catalogs this fall. Have a 5+ yr old black velour tunic with white satin collar & cuffs..need to pull it & try it on. Think it will look good with the black basic pants from your site & some pearls. Thanks for the inspirational post. Loving those earrings and the dome ring as well!

  8. Pretty color for you! Thanks for information — I always find your posts interesting and informative.

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I share tips and inspiration for using what you already have in contemporary ways. Defining words include effortless, classic, refined, discreet, and elegant. My style is chic, minimal, and timeless with a bit of edge.