Why am I shaped like a rectangle and how should I dress? Pics included

[LilyFeather]

It’s dawned on me that I don’t have a curvy figure and am actually like a square box. Is it possible to have a big ribcage or something? I can never find a bra to fit me

Im 5 foot 2 and a half, weigh 9 stone 8 and am a size 10. But I always look so dumpy in photos - see proof - and wondered if anyone had any styling tips for my specific body type ? Thanks!

@DisplayPurposesOnly ha! I don’t wear a bra so alas no hoiking can be performed. I wear Chantelle pull on bralette type things which honestly give me some sort of shelf

every single time I decide I’ll buy some proper bras I can’t get one to fit. Bravissimo didn’t have a single bra in stock that would fit me. So that made me feel a bit like a freak!

@Cocktailsandcheese thank you! The skirt is current season M&S - it’s a brown cord ultra mini I think but sits longer on me as I’m short. The jumper is Tu - I always look in there as they have the odd gem - and the boots are Grenson

@LadyBlakeneysHanky thank you! Boots are Grenson, jumper is a cheapy from TU and skirt is current season M&S

I think you look slim not dumpy! Good legs and a flat stomach.

@justasmallbiz well that’s cheered me up. ♥️

Stripey jumper does nothing for you but honestly... you look GOOD here.

Re bras asda do supportive unstructured type ones in s/m/l I wore them for 3 years while my boobs were on the move while pregnant/ post partum might be worth trying them? They are cheap...

Look at kibbe body types and just work woth what you've got.

I was quietly get.on with being a pear then I had babies
My body post children is just..Confusing.
My legs are slimmer but I now have weord huge saddle bags(?) on outer thighs my waist is thicker my ribs are bigger my boobs are bigger.... I need to re-kibbe myself as my pear clothes do zero for me.

maybe a tighter fitting jumper with the skirt outfit as baggier makes you look wider than you actually are on top half. With jeans gave a look at M&S barrel jeans or wide fit high waisted, tuck top in with them and add a big belt to accentuate your waist. Tops not tucked in aren’t a good look for your shape as disguises your waist.

I think youve got a great figure. It's true your waist isn't very defined but you're slim and in proportion and legs look good.

I've got a great waist but most other things not good! 😄

I’m boxy as well, albeit taller. It is what it is. I think you look great though.

I’m the similar shape as you although I find my top half slightly larger than bottom ie no hips or bottom. I find fitted jumpers and more slouchy trousers or fuller skirts help

Like here with my son. I think it’s actually my clothes that are all wrong for me

And here. And I’m tucking in my top!

Hi OP, im
the same shape as you and same height.
It is an inverted triangle shape or rectangle.

The best clothes style is fitted on top and wide on the bottom to balance you out. Create a waist with a belt or some detail there.

Ideas - wide leg trousers or jeans are a much better style and then a fitted or shorter jumper.

Wide skirt - like ballet style:

Your skirt outfit looks great as it is a-line.

Jeans need to be wider; also the waist will always be an issue in jeans; they are not made for our shape. Try pull on wide leg jeans or wide leg pull on joggers (like Lululemon or Sweaty Betty) with a cropped jacket.

Celebrities with this body shape include Natalie Portman and Reese Witherspoon.

ChatGPT is really helpful at putting outfits together that suit your shape if you upload a photo. It even links to the item online so you can buy it!

I am the very last person to comment on clothes but I will throw down my 2c worth.

The Princess of Wales is 5’9 and you’re not but I think she mustn’t have much of a waist with the effort her designers go to to give her the appearance of one with belts, waistbands etc. Or even just skimming right past with a neckline focus instead. Have a good look at her outfits.

The cord skirt is very nice but it’s stiff like a cardboard box so perhaps look for something with a little flex to it that flips just a bit as you walk.

I have feet shaped like bricks. Docs are all very well but perhaps invest in some neat courts. I lived in courts when I was younger. A 5 cm heel so no skyscrapers. Docs and the like draw your eye down with a thump rather than a slide. I never, ever think a thump makes a woman look her best.

@Iloveshihtzus thank you for those tips. I don’t wear wide legged stuff as always thought the flapping legs made me look weird and they’re variably too long as a rule - so much material! But you’re making me rethink this

I would give the world for your figure (sorry not helpful)

Personally I think you have an awesome body shape - you’d look amazing in the sort of piratess frilled shirt etc look

have you tried upsizing jeans and using the Jeans clips to bring in the waist as you clearly do have a waist in the last pic :)

You’ve got a great figure. It’s always the case that clothes are generic to cater for all different shapes and sizes so you need to find the pieces to complement your body type. And every body type is beautiful!

If you want a more defined waist then you could try high waisted trousers, and trousers with pleats and wide leg. You want fitted top and wide leg to balance you out.

something like this might look nice
www.hobbs.com/product/alya-wide-trousers/0125-8757-1185L00-DARK-FERN-GREEN.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Hobbs_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22300217733&utm_content=agid_171138532490-ad_736662908342&network=g&device=m&targetid=pla-293946777986&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22300217733&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-LZ4C8nAr_iOga7NsRqwL6MM&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6sjKBhCSARIsAJvYcpNj_hRI31aZYeYfBsmpXwWoDxiPJ8RbE7ZasNK2ehBcw1RCfXEpQwYaAsJOEALw_wcB

Have you tried M&S for a bra fitting? And John Lewis do a free style consultancy which might help with some ideas - you don’t have to buy anything either.

Purchase these in petite and you’re good

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-wide-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506499?color=DARKCHOCOLATE&extid=af_Sub+Networks_Skimlinks_----AWIN-ms--_-78888&sv_campaign_id=78888&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax2=793456%7C793458&sv_tax3=Skimlinks&sv_tax4=mumsnet.com&sv_affiliate_id=78888&awc=1402_1767003955_2bf2c38459284634bbcef9ca195853a0

If you have access to Instagram or Facebook, have a look for Style Me Happy. She does body shape consultations and provides loads of great advice on dressing different shapes. She has some paid-for services but offers loads of free advice on her pages - she also has a very helpful FB page where people ask exactly these questions and get help with styling. If you have a typical “strawberry shape” (wide shoulders and narrow hips), that is one of the hardest shapes to dress. It’s all about balancing out your hips to match your shoulders and drawing the eye downwards - so wide leg trousers may be your friend. But I can highly recommend her shape analysis for really solid style tips.

I think you look great! Amazing legs!

@TheSandgroper thank you for your comment. Enjoyed reading it and nodded along

alas, I couldn’t wear a court shoe. I don’t actually own any shoes! I live in trainers usually so have dozens of pairs of those, a few pairs of grensons, Vans and one pair of smarter boots that o wear for work. And even they are clompy!

id like to be all elegant but I just prefer to be dressed down and casual as a rule

my age also goes against me perhaps. I’m 54 but I just can’t accept that so try and strike a balance of dressing younger but not stupidly so.

maybe that’s a whole other issue

@orangegato I’m going to buy some today! And what, wear with a fitted top?

You look great. The skirt outfit is wonderful.

ETA: I have just seen your other pics. You do need help to make better choices. The pants and purple top combo is really not good. You have a lovely figure and could make so much more of it.

You have an enviable figure but your jeans and jumper are awful.