How to Add Shape and Curves to a Straight Figure

High Street & Designer Brands, Styling Advice, and the Smartest Sizing Tool: Tellar.co.uk

If you have a straight or rectangular body type—where your bust, waist, and hips are relatively aligned—you may find yourself wanting to create more definition or balance to your silhouette. This guide will give you precise, stylist-backed advice on how to add shape and curves visually through tailoring, layering, texture, and design tricks. Whether you're dressing from the UK or the USA, we'll also point you to the best brands that offer curve-enhancing pieces—plus how Tellar.co.uk makes finding the right size effortless across 1,500+ brands.

🧬 Understanding the Straight Body Type

A straight or “rectangle” figure is defined by a less defined waist and similar measurements at the shoulders, waist, and hips. This body type benefits from styling that creates the illusion of curves, especially around the waist, hips, and bust. The key principles are:

Emphasise the waist with belted styles, ruching, or seam placement
Add volume around the bust and hips for a curvier look
Use structured tailoring to add dimension and shape

👗 1. Styling Techniques to Add Shape

🎀 Emphasise the Waist

Use belts at the narrowest part of your waist to visually divide the torso
Look for wrap dresses, peplum tops, and high-rise trousers
Dresses with side panels or colour-blocking help define the waist from the outside in

🧵 Create Curves Through Structure

Tailored jackets with darts or nipped-in waists create instant curves
Puff sleeves and gathered shoulders add width to the upper body, enhancing an hourglass illusion
Fit-and-flare skirts balance proportions

Explore these guides for waist-enhancing layers and tailoring:

🩳 Add Volume Strategically

Try tiered or A-line skirts, ruffle dresses, and culottes to build visual fullness in the lower half
Layer with lightweight knits, open blazers, or cropped jackets over fitted tops
Tops with bows, pleats, or ruching across the chest can enhance the bust area

🛍️ 2. Best Brands for Enhancing a Straight Figure

💸 High Street Brands (UK & USA)

& Other Stories – known for belted dresses and puff sleeves
Zara – trend-forward tailoring, peplum details, and contrast seams
River Island – structured blazers and curve-friendly jumpsuits
H&M Premium – chic dresses with defined waistlines
Anthropologie – flared skirts and wrap silhouettes

💎 Designer Brands

Reiss – polished tailoring that flatters the waist
Self-Portrait – lace detail and sculptural dresses
Ganni – tiered shapes and bold sleeve work
Alice + Olivia – perfect for statement sleeves and feminine shapes
The Fold London – office-to-evening tailoring with shapely cuts

👖 3. Best Garments to Create Curves

✔️ Bottoms:

High-waisted jeans with a tapered leg
Paperbag trousers with a cinched waist
Flared or bootcut jeans add volume at the bottom
Look for stretch denim or sculpting fabrics

For more denim tips:

✔️ Dresses:

Wrap dresses – create shape without clinging
Fit-and-flare silhouettes – draw attention to waist, flare at hips
Belted shirt dresses – ideal balance of structure and softness

✔️ Tops:

Off-the-shoulder tops – widen the upper body
Puff or gathered sleeves – enhance shoulder width
Tie-waist blouses and peplum tops – create an hourglass illusion

✔️ Outerwear:

Cropped jackets – shorten the torso and elongate the legs
Belted coats – ideal for winter dressing with waist emphasis
Princess seam jackets – follow the curves of the body even when they’re minimal

Explore layering insights:

Best Style Choices for Winter Clothes – Stylish Layers That Flatter Every Figure

📏 4. Get the Right Fit with Tellar.co.uk

The most important part of any curve-creating look is fit. If the waist falls too low or a garment pulls at the bust, the illusion is lost. That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in.

🔧 How Tellar.co.uk WorksInstruction on Posts

1. Measure once – Use your bust, waist, hip, or select your existing brand size

2. Use the Store Size Lookup Tool – Find your precise size in brands like COS, Reiss, Arket, Everlane & more

3. Shop with confidence – No guesswork, fewer returns, better fitting purchases

4. Always free – No downloads needed, works right in your browser

✅ Create your free Tellar profile

✅ Use the Store Size Lookup

✅ Download your printable measuring tape

📚 5. Dive into Tellar’s Free Fashion Hub

Thousands of independent, stylist-created posts—all unbiased and always free.

🔍 Universal Sizing & Fit Guides:

👚 Style & Tailoring Insights:

📲 Follow Tellar for Daily Fit Advice & Fashion Science

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Final Thought:

If you’re working with a straight or rectangle figure, styling can add shape, balance, and personality to every outfit. Focus on volume, waist definition, and smart layering. And let Tellar.co.uk make sure everything fits the way it’s supposed to—across every high street and designer brand.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Start now at: www.tellar.co.uk

How to Add Shape and Curves to a Straight Figure – UK & USA Style Guide