Body shape guide
Rectangle body shape
A rectangle reading, also called straight, means all three widths landed close to each other. The side profile runs almost straight from shoulder to hip. It is the most common of the five readings.
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- Shoulder / hip
- 0.95 – 1.05
- Waist / hip
- above 0.75
How to tell
- Shoulder, waist and hip widths all within a narrow range
- Shoulder-to-hip ratio between 0.95 and 1.05
- Waist-to-hip ratio above 0.75
- Little natural narrowing at the waist
- Often an athletic or long-limbed build
What tends to work
- Belts and peplum shapes, which put a waist where there is not a strong one
- Layers, which add depth the straight line does not have
- Gathering or ruffles at the bust or hip
- Fit-and-flare dresses that break the vertical
- High-waisted trousers with a defined waistband
What to watch for
Straight shift dresses and boxy tops repeat the line the body already makes. Almost anything that interrupts the vertical works better.
Rectangle body shape outfits
These are starting points, not rules. Fit and comfort matter more than any shape label. Here is what tends to work, garment by garment.
- Tops
- Ruffles, peplum hems and layers that add shape to a straight line.
- Bottoms
- Pleated or A-line skirts and high-waisted trousers with a defined waistband.
- Dresses
- Fit-and-flare, wrap and belted dresses that put a waist in.
- Jeans
- High-rise denim with pocket detail or flared legs, which add shape at the hip.
- Outerwear
- Belted coats and cropped jackets that stop at the waist.
Other names for the rectangle shape
You may also see this shape called straight, banana or athletic. Fashion sites use different words for the same proportions. Our calculator uses five names: hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle and inverted triangle.
How to check your proportions at home
- Stand straight in fitted clothes with your feet together. A friend or a phone on a stand makes this easier.
- Find the width of your shoulders, from one outer edge to the other, as a straight line across your back.
- Find the width of your hips at the widest point, again as a straight line across.
- Divide the shoulder width by the hip width. For a rectangle reading you are looking for a shoulder-to-hip ratio between 0.95 and 1.05 and a waist-to-hip ratio above 0.75.
A tape measure wrapped around the body gives circumferences, which are not the same as the widths the AI reads from a photo. Treat this as a rough check. For a direct reading, upload one full-body photo.
A shape describes proportion, not health, size or style. Where you carry width can shift with weight, muscle, pregnancy and age, so a reading is a snapshot of one photo, not a permanent label.
Often confused with
-
Hourglass →
A loose top can turn an hourglass reading into a rectangle one.
-
Apple →
Both show little waist definition; apple means the waist measures wider than the hips.
Common questions
What is a rectangle body shape?
Your shoulders, waist and hips measure about the same width, so the outline looks straight. The waist is not much narrower than the hips.
How do I know if I am a rectangle?
Measure shoulders and hips. If they are within about 5% of each other and the waist is not clearly narrower, you are likely a rectangle. The calculator above does this from one photo.
What should a rectangle body shape wear?
Pieces that create a waistline suit this shape: belts, wrap tops, peplum cuts and layered outfits that add shape at the shoulder and hip.
What is the difference between a rectangle and an hourglass body shape?
Both have shoulders and hips of similar width. An hourglass has a clearly narrower waist. A rectangle has little narrowing at the waist.
What are the best jeans for a rectangle body shape?
High-rise jeans with back pockets or flared legs, which add curve at the hip. Skip very straight cuts that repeat the line.
Can my body shape change?
Where you carry width can shift with weight, muscle, pregnancy and age, so a reading is a snapshot of one photo, not a permanent label. Upload a new photo any time to check again.