How do I determine if I am a rectangle/banana body type?
Rectangle body shape women, you’re in the right place. If you don’t know what your body shape is, be sure to read my previous post about determining your body shape and sign up below for access to the body shape quiz.
For starters, some schools of thought call the rectangle body type the “banana”, but I like to refer to the geometric shapes and not the fruit. Don’t be confused by the name, they are the same thing.
The rectangle has shoulders and hips that are close to the same width. If the difference in the width of the two measures is 5% or less and your waist measurement is less than 25% smaller than the other two, you fall in this category (If math isn’t your thing, just use my body shape quiz instead).
Ultimately, the goal for this body type is to maintain balance between the upper and lower portions of the body and play up or emphasize your curves. Accomplish this by defining the waist and adding volume or visual weight to the shoulders and hips. For the banana body type, it’s kind of like you combine the rules for the triangles’ tops and the inverted triangles’ bottoms. You want to amp up the volume everywhere but the waist.
Silhouette
Look for silhouettes with fitted waists and volume or extra details that create emphasis at the hip and shoulders. Fit and flare dresses, wrap dresses, dresses with peplums or horizontal lines at the shoulder create perfect shapes for your rectangular figure. Avoid tube shapes and column styles unless they really emphasize the waist. In addition, boot cut pants also create curves.
Line
To use line to your advantage, utilize horizontal details at your shoulders and at the widest part of your hips. Wide collars and boat neck necklines, off the shoulder tops and many of the cold-shoulder tops that are so popular right now will create great lines for you. Other shoulder details on your tops can be very advantageous for you, too. You can wear a variety of rises in your bottoms ranging from above the natural waist to to low on the hip. Horizontal pockets on your pants is a nice element that can add width at the waist.
Pattern
In addition, use pattern in proportion to your frame. If you have a small frame, be careful to not wear patterns that are too large. If using directional patterns, use horizontal at the shoulder and hip with vertical at the waist. You can use pattern all over or just in one area. If using a pattern only at the waist make sure it’s a slimming pattern.
Texture
Furthermore, using the fabric texture is a great way to add visual weight to your shoulders and hips. Use textiles that advance like those with a pile or those with a sheen to create curves and use matte or dull textures at the waist to make it appear smaller.
Color
Wear bright, light and pure color colors since they advance and then belt your outfit with a deep, shaded color for emphasis. The brighter/ lighter colors will really pop and add visual volume. Especially remember to always play up your curves.
Proportion
Look for shirt hems that end at the widest part of your hips. Because your body type is naturally long and lean, don’t worry about chopping the body up horizontally unless you are quite petite. A rectangle body shape can get away with wearing shorter skirts and shorts. It will emphasize the hip width. You can wear clothes with a lot of wearing ease, just remember to highlight the waist.
Now let’s look as some recommendations for different garment types that will flatter your figure.
Kim’s Recommendations
Outerwear
The great features on this coat (found on Amazon) that make it perfect for a rectangle body shape are the wide collar, belted waist and flared skirt. The wide collar brings the eye out at the shoulders creating visual width, the belt accentuates the waist and the flare adds some volume at the hip to balance with the shoulder.
Alternatively, if you have an edgier, rock star style and a rectangle body shape, this jacket from Amazon is perfect for you.
I just love all the details. The lapels are wide and the have snaps on them to draw extra attention to the points. The jacket not only has strong shoulders, but the shoulders are adorn with metal studs. The directional stitching at the hem and the way the jacket is cut away under the zipper also add width to the hip. Even the studs and detail on the sleeve add width to the hip. Then it’s nipped in perfectly at the waist and has zipper details as the waist. All of these elements are so perfectly crafted together for the perfect effect. Click the picture or link to amazon . . . even the seaming on the back is perfect.
If you can’t tell, I love this jacket. It’s not quite my style though. I’d love to find someone to buy and wear this jacket.
Tops
Here is a perfect example of a cold shoulder top that is perfect for a banana body type. Notice how the neckline at the top is horizontal in nature and the sleeves extend horizontally on the arm. All of these work to increase the visual weight of the shoulders and add the illusion of curves.
A sweetheart neckline is also a great tool for creating curves. The shoulders are wide-set and the bottom portion of the neckline is horizontal which creates a widening effect. It’s also fitted to show off the waist.
Dresses
Here is a more relaxed fit and flare like dress. It’s flared at the hip and the elastic at the waist help carve out curves for the figure.
In the same way, this great dress is also a perfect example of elements that a rectangle body shape should look for. The off-the-shoulder neckline and flared skirt add width to accentuate your curves.
Pants, shorts, etc.
I just love the paper bag waist. It adds width at the hip with the pleats and pockets and it’s cinched in at the waist to really show off your figure.
Likewise, another style that can add curves to your frame are boot cut or flared pants. The pocket details go to work at adding visual width at the hips.
Skirts
This tulip skirt from Amazon is another great style for your rectangle body shape. The pleating and direction of the design elements emphasize your curves on the lower portion of your body.
Similarly, the trumpet silhouette is another great addition to the wardrobe for the rectangle body type. The curves of this skirt from Amazon bring out the curves of the body.
In conclusion, I hope this has been a useful guide to help you select some optimal pieces for your wardrobe that will suit your rectangle body shape and your style. If none of the things are your style, add a comment below. I’d love to help you find items that suit not only your body, but your personal style as well. Click the links or images to visit the product page of each item. You can also follow the rectangle section of my body shape Pinterest board for additional inspiration.
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