What dress styles suit a rectangle body shape?

Wrap dresses, dropped-waist styles, tiered midis, belted shirt dresses, ruched-waist jersey dresses and belted blazer dresses. All six do the same job in different ways. They create a horizontal break at the waist or hip that the frame doesn't supply, and add volume or texture so the eye reads shape rather than a straight line.

How do I create a waist on a rectangle body?

Three tools, and the best dresses use at least two. A belt or tie pulled in at your chosen waist point. Volume below it, whether pleats, tiers or a full skirt, so the contrast is visible. And detail above it, like a puff sleeve or a gathered bodice, which makes the middle look narrower by comparison. Ruching worked into the side seams does much the same thing without a belt.

Should a rectangle body wear fitted or loose dresses?

Neither, all over. You want fitted at one point and loose at another, because that contrast is what builds shape. A dress fitted from shoulder to hem restates the straight line, and a dress loose from shoulder to hem hides you entirely. Fit through the bodice and release through the skirt is the formula that works most often.

Do belts work on a rectangle body shape?

Belts are the single most useful thing in a rectangle wardrobe. Wear one slightly above your natural waist to lengthen the leg line, choose a width that suits your height (narrower if you're petite, bolder if you're tall) and pick leather with a proper buckle over a flimsy self-belt. A belt over a shirt dress or a plain midi transforms both in about four seconds.

How do I know if I have a rectangle body shape?

If your bust, waist and hip measurements sit within about two inches of each other and your waist doesn't visibly nip in, you're a rectangle. It's a shape that appears at every size, because the defining feature is the straightness of the line, not how slim you are. How to find your body shape walks through it properly.

What's the best UK brand for rectangle-friendly dresses on a budget?

M&S for ruched-waist and belted shirt dresses, Boden for anything with a full skirt and texture. Both cut with real fabric volume and belts that actually cinch, which is exactly what a rectangle frame needs. Mango is worth a look too, particularly for tiered midis and blazer dresses with a strong shoulder.