Rectangle Body Shape
Straight · balanced
Bust, waist and hip sit within a narrow band of one another. The outline is close to straight, which makes it the easiest proportion to draw a line on and the hardest to add curve to.
How this class is defined → Bust and hip fall within 3.6 in of one another, with the bust-to-waist difference under 9 in and the hip-to-waist difference under 10 in.
Check it against your own measurements
The calculator opens with a measurement set that drafts to rectangle. Replace the figures with your own to see whether you land in the same class.
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How to dress the proportion
- Line
Lean into it. Column dresses, straight coats, clean minimal tailoring and monochrome all read as deliberate on this outline.
- Curve
If you want curve, build it: peplums, bias cuts, wrap fronts, a belt over a looser layer. Contrast at the waist does more than fit alone.
- Detail
Horizontal interest at the shoulder and hip — a cuffed sleeve, a hip pocket — creates the impression of a waist between them.
- Avoid
Very tight waistbands without a top that blouses over them; the straight line makes a hard cinch look like strain rather than shape.
Tailor's noteShortening is your main alteration, not taking in. Because there is little waist suppression to work with, hem and sleeve length are what separate a garment that looks tailored from one that looks borrowed.
Common questions
Is a rectangle shape the same as a banana shape?
Yes, "banana" and "straight" are both common names for the same proportion: bust, waist and hip within a narrow band of one another.
How do I create a waist if I am a rectangle?
Through construction rather than fit. Peplums, bias cuts, wrap fronts and belting over a blousing layer all build curve. A tight waistband alone has nothing to cinch into.
Can a rectangle be curvy?
A rectangle can carry plenty of volume — the class describes the relationship between measurements, not their size. What defines it is that the three sit close together.