What is the Rectangle Body Shape & How Do You Style It?

Download Article

Plus, the best haircuts for the rectangle body shape

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Rectangle Body Shape Explained
|
• Styling
|
• Best Haircuts
|
• Celebrity Examples
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

The rectangle body shape is known for being the supermodel body shape and is defined by a lack of curves, a straight, undefined waist, and a flat bottom. In this article, we do a deep dive into the rectangle body shape, including what it is, how to style it, what haircuts go best with it, and more, all with the help of fashion stylist Kalee Hewlett. So if you’re looking for an overview on the rectangle body shape, you’ve arrived in the right place. Enough talk, though, let’s read on!

A Brief Explanation of the Rectangle Body Shape

The rectangle body shape is a body shape with a straight silhouette, equal measurements, and a lack of curvature around the waist and hips. It is characterized by things like a small bust, weight that’s evenly distributed across the body, straight shoulders, a chest and hips with the same width, and a flat bottom.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

What is the rectangle body shape?

Download Article

1. 
   A rectangle body shape is a body with a straight waist and minimal curves. The rectangle body shape has a straight silhouette, with shoulders and hips of a similar width and a waist with little definition. The bust, hips, and waist are also all equal in width. The legs tend to be long and boxy, contributing to the rectangular silhouette from which the shape gets its name. The main characteristics of this body shape include:

   • Lack of curves
   • Small bust
   • Evenly distributed weight
   • Balanced proportions
   • Flat bottom and hips
   • Undefined (or slightly defined) waist
   • Straight shoulders
   • Chest and hips are the same width
   • This silhouette is highly sought after, being known as the ‘supermodel’ body type in the fashion realm. Like all body types, though, the rectangle body shape has its own complexities when it comes to styling.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Kalee Hewlett is a Fashion Stylist and Image Consultant with almost two decades of experience. She works with clients to help them transform their sense of self from the inside out with science and style-based methods.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 4:

How to Style the Rectangle Body Shape

Download Article

1. 1
   Tops Hewlett says, “If you have a rectangle body shape, the goal is to create the illusion of more curves. You can do this by investing in a padded bra to give more shape to the bustline and opting for scoop, V, and sweetheart necklines to add more shape to your silhouette.” You can also opt for shirts that accentuate your body shape (or enhance its curves), like:

   • To create the illusion of curvature, wear:
     • Shirts with nipped or belted waists
     • Shirts with bibs, frills, or bows
     • Wrap shirts
     • Ruffled shirts
   • To show off your naturally slim figure, wear:
     • Turtlenecks
     • Shirts with mandarin, crew, funnel, or halter necklines
     • Shirts with fitted sleeves
     • Button-down shirts
   • Make sure your tops always end at the hip level unless you’re trying to emphasize your body shape. Tops that end at the waistline will accentuate that rectangular look.
   • Hewlett says, “Puff sleeves and shoulder pads are great for adding volume to the shoulders, and peplum details are great for adding more width to the hips.”
2. 2
   Bottoms When it comes to bottoms, Hewlett says that “high-waisted jeans and bootleg jeans are great for adding definition and creating a curvaceous feminine frame.” A-line skirts also help create that sought-after hourglass figure silhouette.” Depending on the look you’re going for, you may want to opt for different bottoms, so consider these options (just make sure they’re low to mid-rise):

   • To create the illusion of curvature, wear:
     • Bootcut jeans
     • Trousers with pockets, pleats, whiskering, or turn-ups
     • Harem trousers
     • Cargo pants
     • Trumpet skirts
     • Flared shorts
     • Mid-rise shorts
     • Bubble shorts
   • To show off your naturally slim figure, wear:
     • Straight-fitted trousers
     • Slim jeans
     • Skinny jeans
     • Straight skirts
     • High-rise shorts
     • Bermuda shorts
3. 3
   Outerwear When it comes to outerwear, like jackets or coats, you’re still going to want to look for something that brings out your waist and flatters your rectangular body shape. Depending on whether you’re trying to build the illusion of curves or show off your naturally rectangular body, the options you choose will be a bit different, for example:

   • To create the illusion of curvature, wear:
     • Fitted double-breasted jacket
     • Wrap jacket
     • Belted jacket
     • Tailored jacket that’s slim around the hips
   • To show off your naturally slim figure, wear:
     • Peacoat
     • Fitted coat or jacket
     • Long coat that goes past the knee
     • Trench coat
4. 4
   Dresses For dresses, there are plenty of options that help bring out the waist and flatter the rectangular body shape. The look you choose depends on what you’re trying to show off. If you want to bring out your curves, it’s best to go with A-line or sheath dresses. If you want to let your slim figure shine, however, it’s best to go with something like a shift dress.

   • To create the illusion of curvature, wear:
     • Empire waist dresses
     • Princess seam dresses
     • Dresses that are dark around the waist
     • Fit & flare dresses
     • A-line dresses
     • Sheath dresses
   • To show off your naturally slim figure, wear:
     • Slip dresses
     • Shift dresses
     • Column dresses
     • Midi dresses
5. 5
   Swimsuits Since your proportions are already balanced, picking the right swimsuit is all about choosing what you want to accentuate. To bring out your curves, go with a one-piece swimsuit with a plunging neckline, as it emphasizes the curves around your bust and hips. To quiet those curves down and show off your natural silhouette, a simple two-piece works just fine.

   • To create the illusion of curvature, wear:
     • One-piece with a plunging neckline
     • Monokini
   • To show off your naturally slim figure, wear:
     • Bandeau one-piece
     • Standard two-piece
6. 6
   Accessories When it comes to accessories, like belts and bags around the hips or waist, they’re great for adding the illusion of curvature. For your waist, Hewlett says to “opt for styles that nip you in at the waist, belts are great for drawing the eye into the smallest part of your waistline.

   • Since belts mainly bring out your curves, avoid them (at least around the waist) if you’re looking to stay true to your body shape.
   • Check out our wikiHow guide on Styling the Rectangle Body Shape for more styling tips.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 4:

Best Haircuts for the Rectangle Body Shape

Download Article

1. 
   1
   The shag The shag haircut is a classic 70s-inspired look that’s defined by soft, choppy layers, which create volume and draw attention away from your rectangular body. Shag cuts are typically shorter on top and around the face and longer towards the back. The attention they draw helps accentuate your face, making it a great choice for the rectangle body shape.
2. 2
   Beach waves The beach waves (also known as beachy waves) hairstyle is a textured hairstyle that’s characterized by its ocean-wave-esque look, which draws attention up towards your hair (and away from your rectangular body). The textured look resembles loose curls and is so defined that it can’t help but turn heads.

   • To draw attention away from your body, opt for longer beach waves.
   • If you want to show off your body shape, opt for short beach waves that end around the shoulder.
3. 3
   Curtain bangs Curtain bangs are bangs that help accentuate the face, show off its natural beauty, and bring attention away from your body. They are cut on the edge of your forehead with a gentle part in the center. They get their name from their resemblance to drawn back curtains, as they slightly reveal the forehead without emphasizing its volume. This makes curtain bangs great for balancing out the face and the rectangle body shape.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 4:

Celebrities With the Rectangle Body Shape

Download Article

1. 
   Celebrities like Zendaya and Coi Leray have a rectangle body shape. The rectangle body shape is very common among actors, models, musicians, and other celebrities. It is known for its versatile styling options and balanced, well-proportioned frame, so it makes sense that it’s popular among celebrities, as it’s easy to style. Some celebrities with the rectangle body type include:

   • Cameron Diaz
   • Zendaya
   • Paris Hilton
   • Coi Leray
   • Nicole Kidman
   • Anne Hathaway
   • Timothee Chalamet
   • Ewan McGregor
   • Hugh Grant
   • Ryan Gosling

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!