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!

I'm the same. Wide shoulders (for a woman), large ribcage, long waist, minimal difference between waist & hip width. I need tops one dress size larger than my bottoms - and it's not due to big boobs! Fitted trousers & skirts are tricky because if it fits my waist, the hips will be baggy 😆

I couldn't wear skinny jeans because they fell down! I'm loving high waisted wide-legs with a decent lycra content.

You'll get lots of advice on creating the illusion of a waist and minimising your shoulders. My advice is don't bother! I lean into my shape by wearing big shoulders - and this does slightly create an illusion of a slimmer waist, but the main point is that it flatters the shape I am.

I do NOT wear waist belts, they look stupid and put me vaguely in mind of the strap on a goods pallet. Low-slung belts look OK. I like dresses with shoulder volume and a dropped waist, they work best with my body. Also dresses that are shaped with panels - the continuous line actually flatters me, despite being loose at the hip.

One last thing: Women with our body pattern respond much faster to exercise than all those curvy types. When I could be bothered to tone up, I looked overtly 'athletic' and clothes hung better.

I think you would suit similar clothes to Fearne Cotton but styled/ tailored to your height.

Are you me?! Seriously, I’m a little bit shorter but otherwise so similar. Was all right before having a child, but during pregnancy my hips and ribcage expanded and now I look really odd and broad. No bosom at all, no waist, and in my case really short legs with a long body so wide trousers look absurd as they emphasise that my legs are too short for my height. That is ‘balanced out’ with an overly long torso, so the waists of dresses usually sit a good 4-5 inches too high, on my rib cage, so are both uncomfortable and make me look stout.
My waist is 28” and my ribs are 32” (same as hips - with no bum), whilst my bust measures 33” (so no bust basically) , but I look sort of sausage-like on the torso. Nothing looks good!

You have great legs. I’m envious.

Op where did you get the jumper from i love it and I also want one.

You look great and have a great figure. If you want clothes to highlight it more, try:

A-line skirt, short
Wide leg high waist petite trousers, eg sailor style, with the row of buttons diagonally at the waist
Wrap dress, but with a proper bra
Thinner materials, eg fine knits, on your top half, and chunkier, eg cord, on the bottom half
Great belts, including coloured or patterned, fairly thin, on any wide leg trousers
Lighter trousers and darker tops
Chunkier shoes (I love Grensons!) to give you a wide enough base to balance your shoulders

It’s all about balance. You just need to find your confidence groove.

I'm quite square, with decent legs - similar height and weight to op. I find dresses with a skirt that flares from a slightly high waist is a really flattering shape.

Also I think dresses suit this body shape. Shift dresses and show your legs

Bravissimo are experts for women with narrow backs/chests and big boobs, which isn't you. Don't give up on finding a decent bra but go somewhere else, maybe even m&s or John Lewis.

I love your short skirt outfit but some of the other outfits, especially the jeans do look a bit teenage boy.

M&S also have great wide legged trousers in at the moment- joggers, jeans etc. Pair those with some nice trainers and maybe a lovely soft lightweight cashmere jumper (sale season is an excellent time to find this). You should ne comfortable as it is what you normally wear just with a more feminine cut.

I know you said you don’t have a bra - but didn’t bravissimo have some online? What size did they say you are?

OP - You look great, you look athletic and healthy, be confident!

I am the same shape and never wear stripes. I wear wide leg jeans or Levi straights as they have a bit of stretch so you can go down a half size and they don’t go baggy.

I LOVE this thread ♥️
It seems there is a tribe I belong to after all, the Fellowship of the Parsnip
I’m an uber-Parsnip, 5’9” size 18 on top (sml boobs) and size 11 bottoms. It’s ridiculous, I have no hips or bum and have been mistaken for a bloke.
Thank you for all the tips here!

I have no useful advice but I’m posting in solidarity because I feel like a rectangle as well and I feel like I never see anyone else who looks like me! I’m quite a bit taller than you but I swear my rib cage is out of proportion or something because even when I was obsessively training/counting macros and really toned my midsection was so boxy and weird looking. No boobs, no waist, I look like a robot from a kids book or something 😂

Agree with everything @WoolerOwl said (waves!). Fabulous legs.

For trousers, get the right fit and shape and then get them taken up by a tailor. Game changer.

You have a lovely slim figure, flat stomach and nice legs. No real advice on clothing but my least favourite outfit on you of those posted is the maroon top tucked into the black pull on trousers but I don't think anyone would look good in that!

The skirt and jumper look so good on you. Maybe just wear variations on that - have it as your autumn winter “uniform.”

Im a taller and fatter inverted triangle. My shoulder width makes finding tops to fit tricky. Its an endless search to find clothes and some times you'll be lucky with fashion, and sometimes years will pass!
A line skirts, tunic dresses, tops with a raglan sleeve and a v neck are my friends. Pattern on my bottom half and straight or wide leg trousers too. An oversized top and leggings makes me look like a potato on toothpicks.
This style of dress is one I buy regularly as it works well for me. White Stuff have something like this in most collections.
June Velvet Dress in NAVY MULTI | White Stuff EU share.google/0030cGBcjussmxnKd

I’m taller but very similar shape. Wide legged high waisted trousers with a fitted top tucked in is the way forwards. With a cropped cardigan over the top if needed. The skirt is also great on you but a more fitted and shorter top would work better.

I am a bigger version of you and fail the NHS check for waist:height ratio all the time. I can stuggle with skirts and trousers as the waist isn’t big enough and have the odd bra situation where I am a 38B or 38C. No-one quite believes me until I strip down!

You're a inverted triangle and you look anything but dumpy, seriously,you have nothing to fret about.

They don't like they trying to emphasise (or make look good) any single part of your body they just look like you've got up and found some jeans on the floor

Jean have always been a problem for me. I have no waist and no bum. I wore dresses for years to avoid jeans. Gap used to do a "long and lean" jeans which did up, gave me curves and had a gentle bootleg effect. They sadly are long discontinued now.

Ho ho ho I'm about to make your Christmas better. Long and Lean jeans are back and I'm wearing a pair right this very minute!!!

They're for sale on Next online.

I think the jeans add to the block-like appearance. I think you should try either skinny jeans or flared jeans to bring a bit of shape to your leg (flared I’d say). I think you ought to avoid straight-leg pants.