Straight | Body Matrix Categories

Straight body types have some sharpness to their bone structure. They appear angular, and squarish throughout their figure. This is my guide for if you might be in the straight category and how to dress for this feature

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Features

Straightness appears in the bone structure. To be straight means you have sharp, straight shapes in your frame. You might appear traditionally “rectangular”, and have squarish or angular shapes to your shoulders, chest and hips. You can be round or straight at any weight. These are some features to look out for:

• angular chest and hips

• lean chest and hips (for your proportions)

• squarish shoulders

• often an un-defined waist

• taut flesh at any weight (not soft or full)

• rectangular silhouette (but not necessarily)

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Key style words

When thinking about the lines which work best for your silhouette, these are some key words to keep in mind:

• straight

• sharp

• stiff

• structured

• squarish

• sharp edges

• tailored

• boxy

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How to Style

You don’t have to include ALL of the following elements in an outfit to honour your straight shape, but one to three details will help to create this impression. There are also lots of other elements I could include, but I think this is a good starting point!

Obscured waist

Obscuring your waist is a really helpful way to create a cool, easy vibe when you have a straight frame. Rather than trying to fake and force a defined waist which isn’t there, you can lean into your frame and look completely effortless. An obscured waist can mean a loose waist; however, it doesn’t have to - an obscured waist can mean a really high or really low waistline eg an empire waist line on a dress or a low rise peplum. The best way is to go slightly above or below your natural waistline; typically those with a straight frame tend to naturally have a high or low waist due to a rectangle, triangle or apple shape.

Stiff fabrics

The main aim of the fabrics you put on your body is to echo the shapes of your body - to be an extension of the sharp, straight lines in your frame. You can do this by wearing crisp, structured fabrics which follow your sharper frame. Avoid fabrics which are soft, clingy, and light. The fabrics you wear should be stiff and rigid.

Straight shapes

Your outfit should be a collection of angular shapes. Whether its a straight neckline, stiff sleeves, straight trouser leg, pointed toes, your outfit should be moving in a constant shape of angles rather than soft, rounded lines.

Closed shapes

Those with sharpness generally benefit from closed shapes somewhere. This could be a tight neckline, a fitted sleeve, fitted waist, tight skirt, tapered leg - generally this helps to echo the shapes of the points of a rectangle throughout the outfit. Those with width need to then find a balance between closed and wide. E.g. you might wear an oversized slash neck jumper which is fitted near the neck, with a looser pair of trousers but a tight pointed toe; or perhaps you would wear a tight pencil skirt with a voluminous, floaty top.

Celebrities with Straight Shape

• Amy Adams

• Ana de Armas

• Anne Hathaway

• Anya Taylor Joy

• Ariana Grande

• Blake Lively

• Carey Mulligan

• Charlize Theron

• Claire Danes

• Courteney Cox

• Dakota Johnson

• Elle Fanning

• Emma Stone

• Emma Watson

• Jennifer Lawrence

• Julia Garner

• Kate Middleton

• Kate Moss

• Keira Knightley

• Kerry Washington

• Kim Cattrall

• Kristen Bell

• Kristen Stewart

• Lizzo

• Maisie Peters

• Margaret Qualley

• Meghan Markle

• Natalie Portman

• Philippa Soo

• Rosamund Pike

• Ruth Negga

• Sarah Jessica Parker

• Taylor Swift

• Tilda Swinton

• Zooey Deschanel

• Zoë Kravitz

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