Fashion Advice for a Rectangle Body Shape on Minimizing Lower Waist

by T.
(United States)

I believe that I am a rectangle body shape because I have a balanced top and bottom according to the numbers, but I could be wrong.

I think I would like a little extra help because I can't figure out what to do.

I have a strong muffin top/love handles and I carry weight around my upper thighs. I am 5'2 and 125 pounds, I wear a size 3 pants/small shirt, and I have a 33 inch inseam. I have curvy hips but a small butt.

I was looking at the 'long legs, short torso' advice and I found that a lot of the tips don't work well with those of the rectangle body type, for example I read that a belt on the hips elongates the torso but a belt at the waist creates curves.

From experience I already know that a wide waist belt covers most of my stomach. It is also suggested that according to my vertical proportions, I should wear lighter bottoms than top, but I'm not sure if that would work well since I prefer to minimize my lower waist.

I consider my legs and my chest/shoulders to be my best features. I know I should use my best judgment but it is very difficult for me to decide.

Do you have any advice for me? Am I possibly looking at the wrong body shape?

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How to Flatter a Rectangle Body Shape With Weight Around Her Upper Thighs

© by Anna Villaruel; all rights reserved

Hi T.,

it sounds like you have a rectangle body shape (but with extra love handles) but you could also be a slimmer version of a pear shape since you carry weight around the upper thighs. A pear shape has a wider lower half (be it hips, upper thighs, butt, as long as the lower bottom is wider than the rest of your frame).

Regarding the belt-part, yes, a wide belt (in a solid dark color) creates curves because it narrows the waist, making the area above and below the wide belt look curvier compared to the waist. That's usually what a rectangle body shape needs -- adding dimensions to her straight frame. But the belt has to be dark and solid colored to create this waist slimming effect.

If you have a rectangle body shape with a short waist then wearing a dark colored top untucked will elongate it it, however since you have more flesh around the thighs you'll have to tweak the rules a little bit by for example wearing a dark bottom as well as dark top. Or you can simply wear clothes in a way that will draw the eye away from the thighs.

Here is my fashion advice for your body shape:

Imagine an hourglass silhouette and compare it your body shape. What needs to be trimmed down? What needs to be filled out?

One of the vital things to have in mind when dressing your body shape is to visually balance your bust and shoulders with the same width as your hips. In this way, you'll avoid making either your upper or bottom half look bigger and noticeable than the other.

I believe that you might be a combination of pear and rectangle shape. Here's what you need to do to flatter your best features and disguise the parts you don't like.

-- Follow the tips for pear body shapes (minimizing your lower half)

This means drawing the eye up instead of down, by adding more weight and volume to your upper half (this will balance out your body shape and make your upper thighs look slimmer. It will also make your top half look longer). Keep in mind that this will bring more attention to your top half, drawing attention away from your thighs. It will also slightly widen your top and make your waist look narrower in comparison.

-- Follow a rectangle shapes tip to keep your waist trim (minimizing that muffin top)

Wear a solid dark colored wide belt around your waist. Or any top or dress that has a defined waist.

Try a tunic top or dress that skims your hips/thighs along with a black wide belt around the waist.

-- As for making your torso longer and leaner

The tips on pear body shapes are sometimes enough to make your upper half look longer because of the height the details give (ruffled neckline, puffed sleeves, breast pockets, etc.). You can also wear a pair of bold earrings or a necklace to maximize the affect.

Put All Your Focus on Your Best Assets Not the "Worst"

Remember, accentuating your best features (your chest/shoulder and legs) rather than putting all your focus on your upper thighs is one of the best ways for you to look your best :)

Hope this helps! :)

Kind regards,