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!

Try men's jeans . They aren't tailored for a narrow waist and larger hips.

I think you look lovely and slim. I've got no waist either. I think structured styles can look better sometimes. But I like the outfits you've shown!

Hi, I'm similar shape, inverted triangle, 5ft 2, 9stone 3 i wear a ten bottom although my waist is a size 11 and a 12 top as I have DD bust , I do like a wide trousers not to wide, with fitted tops, jeans, my very slim skinnies now feel not so comfy, so I have a boot cut style and a wide leg both from marks, with wide leg trousers I always make sure they are fitting the bottom well, as I seem to have lost volume there,

I also have no waist. And a very short torso. And enormous norks compared to the rest of me (32FF) Like you a size 10 though.

High waisted trousers sit at pretty much my bust. Tops are too big in a size up on the shoulders but often the correct size there won’t fit the boobs in

So no help here but a hefty dose of solidarity

I have a wide rib cage but small waist as I'm pear shaped, I dont think ribs alone effect it.

You are likely just naturally a rectangular shape, which is usually thought of as an 'athletic' build and is very common among athletes and people with good core strength.

I'm not that shape so never had to dress it (so take this with a pinch of salt) but from things I have read the often suggest rectangular shapes suit peplum styles or things with shoulder pads and flared skirts to attempt to add a fake 'variation' in size.

Or you could just embrace looking naturally 'fit' and lean into athletic wear which is right on trend now.

You could wear shorter skirts you have amazing slim legs.

Do you like your shoulders ? Maybe an off shoulder or Bardot jumper would work and distract from the area you don’t like ?

Have you considered V necks? I think your broad shoulders would look more balanced with something to draw the eyes down a bit. Other than that you’ve got a cracking figure.
Short people often struggle with regular trousers: cropped and ankle grazers often work better, proportionally.

I am the same shape as you, and the same height and weight. The pictures you have posted don’t look bad by any means. Generally, I’ve found that wearing tighter fitting things help to elongate me to some degree, although I hate wearing constricting clothing. Baggy things generally, but not always, make me look dumpier as they make me look as wide as I am short 😫. Belted outfits are also problematic because they cut me in half and I have no waist (there’s about an inch between the bottom of my rib cage and my hip bones). I love flat shoes, but find any sort of heel helps to elongate me. For me, I’ve narrowed it down to “elongation”, if that helps!

I can help with the bra situation!

www.wearpepper.com

Small cups and a huge range of back sizes.

Signed: someone who is a size 10, small chest with bloody huge ribs.

This is great!

I think you look really great honestly, nothing to worry about, the skirt and jumper looks lovely as well

I’m the same shape. You should try flared jeans, they’re so flattering. Drop shoulder coats that tie at the waist. T-shirts and tops should be scoop or V neck and skirts should be A line and flare out to create a waist.
Avoid anything bulky on the upper body that emphasises the shoulders and broadness. No puff sleeves, no shoulder pads, no big chunky knits.
Someone has posted a great link with the inverted triangle body shape style tips.

@Dunnocantthinkofone - sending you sympathy from a fellow 32FF - its miserable as nothing ever fits...

NO ONE HEARD THE LONG AND LEAN UPDATE

I’m off to look at the long and lean update!!!!

I missed it

can you be long and lean when you are short and not lean?!!

The only problem I can see is the stripy top. You want to create the illusion of a wider bottom half to create a waist visually, so trying a brightly coloured or patterned or light coloured A-line skirt with a plain dark top half could work. Maybe wide leg palazzo pants?

So I’m quite up and down with not much waist definition (5 foot 2 also 71/2 stone) and I dress like Kibbe Soft Dramatic which is all about long lean lines with waist definition with ruching, draping and waist belts. My favourite go to outfit at mo is a super long supper baggy pair of jeans with a structured fitted blazer cinched in at waist with a huge belt. Teamed with stiletto mid heel boots, my legs go on for days ( 5 foot 2!). People comment my legs look really long and waist tiny but it’s all proportions and smoke and mirrors.

I cannot wear court shoes either, they fall off my feet. Boots that come to mid-calf or higher are my salvation when wearing skirts, as are mary-janes and t-straps. Avoid footwear that finishes where the narrow part of your ankle is when wearing skirts.

You look great, especially the skirt outfit.

I need to show I have a waist, but that's to balance out the rest of me. You look slim all over so it's less important for you (if you care about that shit). But you also have the option of showing very slim legs, which I do not.

Lots of good suggestions already about creating illusions of a defined waist. Personally I find trousers with generous hip pockets make my hips appear larger and therefore my waist smaller.

Also a larger rib cage isn't a bad thing. You probably have a decent lung capacity in comparison to your size, which will make your potential for fitness/ sports really good.

The second photo here is great! As is the first one you posted with the skirt and green jumper.

As others have said your shape is an inverted triangle. You certainly aren't dumpy in any way buy you do have a shorter more boxy torso. Lots of women have this shape.

I appreciate there is different views on how best to dress your shape but I think balancing out proportions is important. So whilst another person might recommend skinny jeans to highlight you have slim legs it will emphasise that your shoulders are broad. Instead I would recommend balancing the proportions. However having said this you can lean into your shape if done correctly but I really would consider a few session with a personal stylist to learn the best way to do this.

In terms of tops I would go for ones that have detail on the waist rather than at your shoulders. That would draw the eye away from your shoulders and give the illusion of a well defined waist. Tops that are a little longer and end at the top of your hip will draw the eye downwards and give the impression of a longer torso. I really think you would need to experiment here as you want to dress for the bodyshape you have but avoid looking frumpy! I think you could experiment with cap sleeves as they give the illusion of the sleeve being broad but actually the person wearing them looks like they have smaller shoulders.

For trousers I think mid to low rise would work better for you. I would avoid pleated trousers or anything with volume in the waist area. This is because you are slim and don't need the extra volume. In your case it would just highlight the lack of a well defined waist and make you look boxier. Wide leg trousers aren't a definite no but I think straighter leg could work better.

You need to work on your tuck!

I have no advice but as a dumpy person myself, you are not remotely dumpy op.

There's a Facebook page called Dressed by Daniela M that might help. She uses clothes (A-line skirts, tailored clothes, wide leg trousers etc) to create a balanced look as she has little waist definition with quite a boxy shape.

I think you look pretty good in the pictures. Especially in the skirt outfit. The stripy jumper is lovely but the wide stripes accentuate your shoulders..... but accentuated shoulders I believe are coming in again.
A scoop or v shaped neck or even a long pendant necklace would break up the width of your shoulders & look good. I'm a very similar shape to you & wear a lot of v shaped boho style blouses as they hang well on my shoulders. I look dreadful in puff shoulders or too many frills. Drapey silk blouses also work well Plus dropped shoulders don't flatter me either. An unbuttoned cardigan over a scoop neck vest also visually lengthens you.

In terms of a waist I find giving the illusion of one helps. So high waisted jeans often look good or belting straight jeans can give you an appearance of a waist.
I also find flowy jeans can work. So wide legs or airy barrel shapes work well. I love the Sienna Miller barrel legs in short as they're slightly cropped. Full length barrel jeans don't work at all.
You look amazing in the mini skirt.
I've given up on standard bras as I find them too uncomfortable but love Boody Bralettes or Sloggi Zero feel. Some posters here recommend Uniqlo bras but I'm not sure which style is best.