Rectangle Body Shape

What is a rectangle body shape?

A rectangle shape body is balanced from top to bottom. The shoulders, bust and hips are roughly the same width, and the waist is only slightly narrower, so there’s little curve at the sides. Other names for this rectangle body type are straight, ruler, column and banana body shape.

It’s the most common shape there is. In a North Carolina State University study of more than 6,000 women, about 46% had rectangular body shape proportions, more than double any other shape.

Typical rectangle body shape characteristics:

• Shoulders and hips look about the same width in a mirror
• A waist that’s present but not sharply defined
• Weight tends to spread evenly, or gather a little at the middle
• Often long, slim legs and arms

Rectangle body shape measurements

On a tape, you’re a rectangle when your bust and hips are within about 3.6 inches (9 cm) of each other, your waist is less than 9 inches smaller than your bust and less than 10 inches smaller than your hips, and your waist isn’t close enough to both to make you an apple.

Check yours with the body type calculator, which also looks at your high hip.

Signs you have a rectangle body type

• Tops and bottoms are usually the same size.
• Straight and shift dresses fit easily, but fitted dresses gape at the waist.
• Belts tend to slide down to your hips.
• Low-rise and boyfriend jeans sit well without much alteration.
• Weight gain shows around the middle and back as much as the hips.

Rectangle vs hourglass vs apple

All three have a bust and hips that are about the same size. What separates them is the waist.

A rectangle with slightly broader shoulders can look like an inverted triangle; the line is a bust 3.6 inches wider than the hips.

How to dress a rectangle body shape

You have two good options. Create curves by defining the waist and adding volume at the bust and hips, or lean into the straight line with sleek, minimal cuts. The best clothes for a rectangle body shape usually do one or the other on purpose.

Tops for a rectangle body shape

• Peplum, wrap and ruched tops add shape at the waist.
• Ruffles, pockets and texture at the bust add curve on top.
• Sweetheart, scoop and cowl necks soften a straight frame.
• Cropped tops and half-tucks show where your waist is.

Dresses for a rectangle body shape

• The best dress for a rectangle body shape is often a wrap or belted fit-and-flare dress, which creates a waist.
• Shift, slip and column dresses suit the sleek, straight look.
• Dresses with cut-outs, seams or colour-blocking at the sides draw an hourglass line.

Jeans for a rectangle body shape

• Boyfriend, straight-leg and mom jeans suit the natural straight line.
• Flared and wide-leg jeans with a high rise add curve at the hip.
• Back-pocket details and lighter washes add shape to a flatter seat.

Skirts and trousers

• A-line, tulip, pleated and bubble skirts add volume at the hip.
• Paperbag-waist trousers create a waist without a belt.

Jackets and coats

• Belted trench coats and wrap coats.
• Cropped and peplum jackets that end at the waist.
• Long, straight blazers for the sleek option.

For complete looks, see our rectangle body shape outfits guide.

What to avoid

Rectangle body shape with a tummy

Many rectangles carry a little extra weight at the front of the waist, especially after pregnancy or with age. Focus on lengthening the torso rather than marking the waist:

• Empire-line and wrap dresses that drape over the stomach.
• V-necks and long open cardigans that create vertical lines.
• Mid to high-rise trousers with a flat front and no pleats.
• Ruching at the side of tops and dresses, which hides a soft tummy.

If your waist is close to your hip measurement, check your waist to hip ratio as well; you may be closer to an apple shape.

Soft, curvy and athletic rectangles

• Soft rectangle body shape: straight proportions with rounder, softer flesh and less muscle definition. Soft, draping fabrics and wrap styles work well.
• Curvy rectangle body shape: a fuller bust and hips that are still close to the waist measurement. Structured fabrics and waist seams help.
• Athletic rectangle: lean and muscular with straight lines, the build often described as an athletic body type. Peplums, ruffles and A-line skirts add curve.

Rectangle body shape in men

Men with a rectangle body shape, sometimes called a square or straight body type, have shoulders, waist and hips of similar width, so the torso runs fairly straight up and down without a V taper. It’s common in lean, slim builds. On the male body type calculator it shows when your shoulders are less than 15% wider than your waist. The styling goal is different from women’s: building width at the shoulders rather than curves at the waist.

How to dress a rectangle body shape (men)

• Shirts: chest pockets, epaulettes, horizontal stripes and textured fabrics add width on top; slim fits stop fabric hanging straight.
• Jackets: structured shoulders and a nipped-in waist are the most effective piece for this frame. Double-breasted jackets add width too.
• Layers: overshirts and open shirts over T-shirts build volume where you need it.
• Trousers: slim or straight; very baggy legs make the frame look boxier.
• Avoid: shapeless, oversized tops in thin fabric and long vertical stripes.

Rectangle body shape outfits for men

Casual: Breton-stripe T-shirt, slim dark jeans, trucker jacket. Smart casual: textured overshirt over a white T-shirt with chinos. Office: structured blazer, Oxford shirt, slim trousers. Formal: double-breasted suit or a suit with roped shoulders.

Training changes a rectangle frame more than almost any other shape: building the shoulders and lats creates a V taper, often moving men into the trapezoid body shape. See the V shape body guide for a V taper checker, or compare all five male body types.

Celebrities with a rectangle body shape

Stylists often name these celebrities as examples of the rectangle shape. These are descriptions from fashion writing, not measured results:

• Keira KnightleyActor
• Gwyneth PaltrowActor
• Kate MossModel
• Natalie PortmanActor

Frequently asked questions

Other body shapes