Aida ~

Rectangle store/brand recs?

July 9, 2014

A dear friend of mine is looking to step up her work wear, and I was scratching my head trying to remember what stores and brands are best suited to rectangles; she's also tall and long limbed. All I could think of was JCrew and maybe Banana Republic? No brands came to mind. Clearly my rectangle knowledge is lacking!

We're looking at lower-to-mid range for now. She doesn't have huge shopping stamina, so I'd really like to be able to just take her to places that we know ahead of time are rectangle friendly. Once she gets some essentials then we can branch out, but for now I think limiting where we go will be a huge help to her.

So over to you gals, what stores and brands fit our lovely Racy Rectangles best? I'd love to hear any suggestions you gals have, either for work or casual wear!

Posted in the Shopping category
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13 Comments

  • replied 9 years ago

    I like Banana Republic, Express, Ann Taylor and LOFT. Keep in mind I don't have dress pants from these places, but their dresses, skirts and blazers fit me well. You could also try the Rack.  

    How nice of you to help her! I hope you have some good luck out there. :)

    ETA I forgot about New York & Co. I have had dress pants and city shorts from there and they fit me really well.

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    As a small busted rectangle, I have luck with Kut Jeans, Calvin Klein dresses, Halogen and Classiques Entiere seamed pencil skirts, Vince Camuto pants, tops and jackets and Express trousers. Actually most jean cuts fit well. It's more a matter of finding the right rise. Her secondary figure characteristics may come into play, like shoulders and midriff. I am not tall but am long limbed for my size.
    Ann Taylor dresses do not work for me because I don't fill out the bust.

  • Gracie replied 9 years ago

    Seconding the Express and NY&Co. rec. Trousers, skirts, blazers and silky- type tops abound. I find that NY&Co's colors are a bit odd some seasons, but they always carry black, gray, tan. Good luck and have fun!

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    A friend of mine with a similar build likes Limited, JCrew, and Express. I can't really attest to pricing or quality as I find these stores never work for my pear shape. ;)

  • sarah replied 9 years ago

    That is an interesting question. I don't usually think about shopping brands for my rectangular-ness, since I'm always thinking about shopping brands for my petite-ness LOL. But I do have good luck with pants from BR and Express. I LOVE Kut Catherines at the moment. And AG Nikki's.

    For tops, it's really about style rather than brand, I think.

  • Mia replied 9 years ago

    I have found DKNY to be good especially for work pieces. Pricier side for sure but my local store has great sales and the items are good quality and last. I also peruse my local Winners from time to time and have scored some deals on Theory, Tibi and Robert Rodriguez which also work for my shape.

    Happy shopping!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Wow, Mia, I need to shop at YOUR Winners!! Mine has nothing like Tibi (or even Theory, alas...)

    Sorry for that threadjack, Aida! You are so sweet to help your friends. She is going to be in super-stylish hands. Your advice is always tops!

    You already have the usual suspects. J. Crew gets my top vote. BR is a great backup for work basics. The timing is a little tricky since the best of summer is gone and fall hasn't quite started. But it could be a time to pick up summer deals if her size is left. 

    Maybe not work-friendly, but quite rectangle friendly if she's on the slim side -- Zara. 

    Club Monaco might also work well. 

  • Mia replied 9 years ago

    Suz - We have a "runway" section in our local Winners and one occasionally finds astounding bargains on the racks. Tibi top was $46 for example. I forgot that most of the locations do not have that feature. Oops! If ever in Vancouver you must check it out.

    I second the Club Monaco recommendation. I used to shop there a lot but no longer have one nearby. Their stuff always plays for work and works for play.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Oh, Mia, I DID shop the Vancouver Winners last time I was there, and came away with a pair of Theory sim moto trousers, a Theory navy turtleneck, and a pair of slouchy trousers by a Danish designer called noir -- amazing lightweight wool, incredible quality. It was heaven. 

    Toronto's stores have Runway sections, too - but usually quite picked over. I live in Kingston so the selection is very, very tame and no Runway at all. :(

    Threadjack over, Aida! 

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for all the great suggestions ladies! Super helpful, I think I have a good idea of where we can start now. We're planning to do a little closet play time to see what she's got and come up with some outfits, then determine what's missing and go from there. It will be interesting shopping for a shape that's very unlike my own ^^

  • deb replied 9 years ago

    Talbot's

  • FindingMyWay replied 9 years ago

    Clothes from Express might be too short for somebody who is tall and long-limbed. I've given up on their shirts because everything is a bit too short for my long torso and long arms.

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for the Talbots rec, Deb! And good info on the Express length, I'll put that down at the bottom of the list :)

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