Welcome back to the “Dressing for your Body Shape” series! If you missed the intro post, you can view it here to get a general idea of the different body shapes and what yours may be. Most of us, when deciding what to wear, make several considerations including the weather, our mood, and the activities of the day. When considering your body shape, it is very important to plan your look based on the feature that you want to accentuate.
I will spend the next few weeks giving in-depth advice on how to look chic no matter your measurements. If you still have questions about your body shape or how to dress it, don’t hesitate to reach out to get advice from an expert—free of charge!
Today’s post is about the banana (or ruler/rectangle) shape. The hallmark of the banana shape is an“athletic build” with no significant differences between the size of your hips, waist, and shoulders. Weight is usually gained on the stomach and backside while retaining slender arms and legs. Celebrities with the rectangular/banana body shape are Gwen Stefani, Jessica Alba, & Queen Latifa.
Dressing the Banana Body Shape
Dressing this body shape is all about balance (notice a theme here?). See our top 5 ways to highlight this body type below; and, by popular demand, we have created a free, downloadable quick tip sheet for the Banana Body Shape.
What to Avoid
The amazing thing about this body shape is that you can use the structure of your clothes to look like almost any other body shape. You will want to avoid angular skirts as they will only make you look more shapeless. Pay close attention to your dimensions—long legs vs. longer torso—use your clothes to balance that with the length of your tops and waist of your bottoms.
Medical Moment: Keep in mind that your body shape is determined based on both genetics and environment. Your bone structure plays a large part in your figure as well as diet and exercise. You will find success in planning looks that find balance in your current shape—even if it’s not necessarily the one that you desire.
Need help putting this all together for a cohesive look that works for your lifestyle? Download our style guide for the Banana Body Shape complete with outfit inspiration featuring pieces curated for your body shape to keep you looking chic and feeling confident! Also, visit the links below for previous body shapes.