How to Style if You’re a True/Cool Summer Man With a Rectangle Body Shape

As a successful man seeking to showcase confidence, trust, and social status, your styling must be personal and super specific, according to your unique body shape and your seasonal colour palette.

If you are unsure of your body shape or your exact seasonal colour palette, take our free quizzes, created by our professional image consultants:

• • Free Body Shape Quiz for Men
  • Free Seasonal Colour Analysis for Men

But as you’re already here, you must have a rectangle body shape and a True/Cool Summer colour palette, which presents a specific opportunity for sophisticated styling through structure and colour harmony.

Your combination offers the advantage of a balanced canvas that can be enhanced with strategic structure and the cool, muted colours of your seasonal palette, creating a refined appearance that conveys authority and elegance.

In this comprehensive styling guide, you’ll learn how to create definition in your rectangular proportions with your natural cool colouring to design flattering outfits that showcase power, trust, and social status.

Quick Styling Guide

Rectangle Body Characteristics

As a gentleman with a rectangle body shape, your physique exhibits several distinctive features that require thoughtful styling strategies.

Your shoulders, waist, and hips align in similar width, creating a straight silhouette from shoulders to ankles.

This balanced, linear structure means conventional garments often fit consistently across your frame but may lack definition through the torso.

Without significant tapering between your shoulders and waist, your torso presents a canvas that benefits from strategic structuring.

Your styling objective is to create the illusion of a more defined shape through tailoring and layering while maintaining a refined appearance.

Your arms and legs are typically proportionate to your torso, creating an overall harmonious framework for building stylish outfits.

The consistent width throughout your frame allows for versatility in styling approaches, with emphasis on creating visual shape rather than correcting imbalances.

Unlike the other 5 body shapes for men (triangle, inverted triangle, trapezoid, oval, and hourglass), your primary advantage is having a balanced, neutral canvas that allows for strategic shape creation through clothing.

True/Cool Summer Colours

Your True/Cool Summer palette features the summer family’s purest cool colours, characterised by their muted, gentle quality.

These colours are muted and slightly greyed-out with blue-based undertones rather than yellow or orange, free of golden warmth and instead feature cool, blue-leaning qualities.

This creates a calm, refined palette that naturally harmonizes with your skin tone, hair, and eye colour, which share these same cool, muted characteristics.

Your ideal clothing, footwear, and accessories colours should have these distinctive characteristics:

– Softened, muted quality that appears slightly greyed
– Medium intensity without appearing overly bright
– Cool undertones without any hint of warmth
– Gentle, serene appearance that creates harmony
– Sufficient sophistication to convey authority

This muted, cool palette allows you to create refined impressions while harmonising perfectly with your natural colouring.

When selecting clothing for your rectangle body shape, these cool, muted colours like steel blue (#4682B4), powder blue (#B0E0E6), and soft plum (#8E4585) create refined, polished outfits that add visual depth to your straight-lined silhouette.

Unlike warm or bright colours that would flatten your frame, these True Summer shades create subtle shadows and highlights that suggest contours.

Their unified cool undertones ensure your overall look remains harmoniously coordinated from head to toe.

Wardrobe Essentials

Base Layers

Your base layers form the foundation of every outfit and should be selected to introduce subtle shape to your frame.

Choose fitted undershirts in soft white (#F5F5F5) or powder blue (#B0E0E6), ensuring they fit closely to your torso with a slight taper from chest to waist.

The fabric should contain 3-5% elastane to provide gentle definition while maintaining comfort.

For thermal layers, select medium-weight merino wool in blue-grey (#6699CC) or cool taupe (#8B8589), which provides warmth while creating subtle dimension.

Each base layer should feature details like henley collars or textured weaves that introduce visual interest and break the linear appearance of your frame.

Shirts and Tops

The design and proportions of your shirts play a crucial role in creating definition in your rectangular silhouette.

Your dress shirts require semi-spread collars measuring 7.5-8cm in height to create horizontal width across your upper chest.

Shoulder seams should align with or extend slightly beyond your natural shoulder line to enhance your upper body structure.

Allow 2-4cm of ease around the chest while ensuring a subtle taper through the waist to create the impression of a more defined torso.

Opt for shirts with horizontal details like pocket flaps, contrasting collar bands, or subtle textural patterns that create width in your upper body.

Steel blue (#4682B4) and soft white (#F5F5F5) serve as your foundation colours, complemented by powder blue (#B0E0E6) and cool mint (#98D8C8) for variation.

Focus on creating subtle shape through fit and detail rather than relying on overly slim cuts that can emphasise your linear silhouette.

Trousers

Your trousers should maintain balance while contributing to your overall structured appearance.

The leg opening should measure 19-21cm to create a clean line that complements your frame without extremes.

A mid-rise cut, sitting 2-3cm below your natural waist, will provide the most flattering proportion.

The cut should taper subtly from hip to ankle, avoiding extremes while maintaining a refined silhouette.

For formal occasions, choose soft navy (#3A5B83) and blue-grey (#6699CC) in quality wool with moderate structure.

For casual wear, soft plum (#8E4585) chinos and textured options in cool taupe (#8B8589) add dimension while maintaining your palette’s harmony.

Jackets and Outerwear

Your outerwear is critical in creating shape and definition for your rectangular silhouette.

Each jacket requires structured shoulders with moderate padding to enhance your upper body.

Choose single-breasted closures with notch lapels measuring 8-8.5cm to create width across your chest.

The jacket waist should feature subtle suppression to create the illusion of tapering, with the length ending at mid-hip to maintain balanced proportions.

Sleeve heads should feature moderate gathering to add dimension to your arms.

Select soft navy (#3A5B83) for business occasions, steel blue (#4682B4) for versatile pieces, and blue-grey (#6699CC) for casual outerwear.

Each piece should be tailored to introduce shape through subtle structure rather than dramatic contouring.

Footwear

Your footwear should contribute to your overall structured appearance while maintaining refined proportions.

Each shoe should feature moderate structure with subtle detailing. For formal occasions, select soft navy (#3A5B83) or blue-grey (#6699CC) Oxford shoes in polished leather with refined proportions.

Your casual rotation should include cool taupe (#8B8589) suede loafers and steel blue (#4682B4) or soft white (#F5F5F5) leather trainers with sufficient structure to complement your overall aesthetic.

Accessories

Your accessories provide essential opportunities to create visual interest and dimension for your rectangular frame.

Belts

Formal belts require a 3-3.5cm width in soft navy (#3A5B83) or cool taupe (#8B8589) leather with structured buckles that create a subtle break in your linear silhouette.

Watches

Your watch should feature a 40-42mm case diameter in silver or white gold metals, paired with blue, grey, or white dials.

Select watches with moderate case thickness and textured bracelets or straps to add dimension to your wrist.

Neckwear

Neckwear creates crucial horizontal lines across your upper body, with ties measuring 7.5-8.5cm in width to create suitable proportion.

Select steel blue (#4682B4), soft plum (#8E4585), and lavender (#B79FC8) in subtle patterns that add texture without overwhelming.

Pocket Squares

Pocket squares in rose pink (#E8ADAA) or periwinkle (#CCCCFF) add visual interest to your upper body.

Fold them to create volume and texture, drawing attention to your chest and breaking up your linear silhouette.

Your Ideal Outfits – 3 Ideas for Each Season

3 Spring Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

For spring weekends, begin with steel blue chinos (#4682B4) in a tailored cut with clean lines.

Layer a soft white Henley shirt (#F5F5F5) beneath a textured powder blue cardigan (#B0E0E6) to create dimension and subtle shaping through your torso.

Complete with cool taupe suede loafers (#8B8589) and a woven leather belt in the same tone. A silver watch with a blue dial adds sophisticated detail while maintaining spring palette harmony.

Business Outfit Idea

Your spring business attire centres on a soft navy suit (#3A5B83) with structured shoulders and subtle waist suppression.

The powder blue dress shirt (#B0E0E6) beneath creates a harmonious palette, while a lavender silk tie (#B79FC8) adds controlled colour and horizontal detail across your chest.

Navy leather Oxford shoes provide refined grounding, while a rose pink pocket square adds a touch of visual interest to your upper body.

A silver watch with a grey dial completes this authoritative yet seasonally appropriate ensemble.

Formal Outfit Idea

Spring formal occasions call for a blue-grey dinner jacket (#6699CC) with structured shoulders and soft navy formal trousers (#3A5B83).

The soft white formal shirt (#F5F5F5) creates a crisp foundation, enhanced with a steel blue silk bow tie that adds horizontal width across your collar.

Patent leather Oxfords in navy ground the outfit with formal propriety.

Silver and mother-of-pearl cufflinks add luminosity and dimension to your wrists, complementing your summer palette without overwhelming it.

3 Summer Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

Summer weekends require cool taupe linen trousers (#8B8589) with a clean, tailored silhouette.

A powder blue polo shirt (#B0E0E6) with a structured collar creates horizontal width across your upper chest, while its textured fabric adds dimension to your frame.

Layer with a soft plum linen scarf (#8E4585) draped loosely to add visual interest and break up your linear silhouette.

Navy suede loafers and a matching woven belt complete this refined summer casual look with textural detail.

Business Outfit Idea

Summer business calls for a blue-grey tropical wool suit (#6699CC) with structured shoulders and subtle waist definition.

Wear a soft white cotton-poplin shirt and a soft plum silk tie (#8E4585) featuring a subtle pattern to add visual interest via a crisp contrast.

Navy leather loafers and a matching belt ground the ensemble with appropriate formality.

A silver mesh watch and periwinkle pocket square complete your summer business aesthetic with subtle sophistication and dimension.

Formal Outfit Idea

Formal summer occasions warrant a dinner suit in soft navy (#3A5B83), featuring structured shoulders and refined tailoring that creates subtle shaping.

The formal shirt in soft white adds crisp elegance, accompanied by a steel blue silk bow tie that creates width across your collar.

Mother-of-pearl and silver studs contribute luminous detail, while patent leather shoes in navy maintain formal propriety.

A white pocket square with blue edging adds the final touch of refined summer elegance and upper body interest.

3 Autumn Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

Your autumn weekend attire features steel blue wool trousers (#4682B4) with a clean line and subtle texture.

Layer a soft white jersey t-shirt (#F5F5F5) beneath a cool mint merino crew neck (#98D8C8) and a textured blue-grey blazer (#6699CC) with structured shoulders to create dimension and shape through layering.

Navy suede Chelsea boots provide subtle structure, paired with a matching belt.

A silver chronograph watch with a navy dial adds technical sophistication to this dimensional autumn ensemble.

Business Outfit Idea

Autumn business demands a flannel suit in soft navy (#3A5B83), its texture adding seasonal depth while its structured shoulders and subtle waist suppression create shape.

The steel blue shirt creates palette harmony, while a rose pink silk tie (#E8ADAA) introduces controlled colour and horizontal detail.

Navy Oxford shoes and a matching leather belt ground the ensemble with appropriate formality.

A silver watch with blue dial and a lavender pocket square complete this authoritative autumn appearance with subtle dimension.

Formal Outfit Idea

Evening functions require a velvet dinner jacket in steel blue (#4682B4) with structured shoulders. Its texture adds depth while its tailored cut creates subtle shaping through your torso.

Soft navy formal trousers create elegant contrast, while the soft white formal shirt provides a crisp foundation.

A navy silk bow tie creates horizontal width at your collar, while patent leather Oxfords ensure formal propriety.

Silver and mother-of-pearl dress sets complete this refined evening ensemble with luminous detail at your wrists.

3 Winter Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

Winter weekends begin with flannel trousers in cool taupe (#8B8589), their weight providing seasonal warmth and textural interest.

Layer a powder blue Oxford shirt (#B0E0E6) beneath a soft plum lambswool crew neck (#8E4585) and a structured navy peacoat with defined shoulders to create shape and dimension through strategic layering.

Navy leather Chelsea boots provide substantial grounding, paired with a matching belt.

A silver watch with a grey dial and blue-grey cashmere scarf complete this sophisticated winter casual look with layered dimension.

Business Outfit Idea

Winter business centres on a flannel suit in blue-grey (#6699CC), its structured shoulders and subtle waist suppression creating definition in your rectangular frame.

A soft white twill shirt provides crisp contrast, paired with a steel blue silk tie featuring a subtle geometric pattern for controlled texture and horizontal detail.

Navy Oxford shoes and a matching belt ground the outfit with formal authority.

A silver watch with blue dial and rose pink pocket square add precise detail and controlled colour to your upper body.

Formal Outfit Idea

Winter formal occasions demand a velvet dinner jacket in soft navy (#3A5B83) with structured shoulders, its rich texture enhancing your refined appearance while creating subtle shape.

Steel blue formal trousers create elegant harmony, while the soft white formal shirt provides crisp foundation.

A navy silk bow tie creates width across your collar, while patent leather Oxfords ensure formal propriety.

Silver and mother-of-pearl dress sets complete this refined winter evening ensemble with subtle luminosity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Seasonal Colour Pitfalls

Your True/Cool Summer palette demands consistently cool, muted tones in every colour choice.

The most frequent error occurs when selecting warm-toned navy suits and blazers rather than the soft navy (#3A5B83) your palette requires.

These warm undertones clash with your natural colouring and create a disharmonious appearance.

The second critical error involves choosing bright versions of your palette colours. Your palette requires muted, slightly greyed tones to maintain harmony.

Bright colours create harsh contrast against your naturally soft colouring, disrupting your ensemble’s sophistication.

Selecting warm neutrals presents another common mistake. Your palette requires cool neutrals like blue-grey and cool taupe.

Replace any warm browns with cool taupe (#8B8589), swap golden neutrals for silver or blue-grey (#6699CC), and eliminate warm creams in favour of soft white (#F5F5F5).

Body Shape Mistakes

Your rectangle frame demands strategic structure to create visual shape.

The fundamental error lies in choosing overly clean, linear garments without structural details.

Your proportions require intentional shape creation through tailoring and detailing. Select garments with structured shoulders, waist suppression, and horizontal detailing to break up your linear silhouette.

Another critical consideration involves excessive vertical elements. While occasional vertical details can elongate your frame, an abundance of vertical lines emphasises your rectangular shape. Balance vertical elements with horizontal details, especially across your upper body.

The temptation to wear shapeless, oversized garments creates another common mistake. Your frame requires definition rather than volume.

Maintain a moderately fitted approach with strategic structure, avoiding both extreme slimness and excessive volume.

Combined Challenges

The interaction between your body shape and seasonal colours creates specific challenges.

Relying solely on colour to create interest without addressing structure presents a common error. While your True Summer palette offers sophistication, your rectangular frame requires physical structure and shaping.

Focus on structured garments in your palette colours rather than flat, unstructured pieces regardless of their colour harmony.

Layering presents another potential challenge. Flat, linear layers can emphasise your rectangular silhouette despite their colour harmony.

Create dimensional layering with varied textures and weights in your palette colours, ensuring each layer contributes to creating visual shape.

Accessorising requires careful consideration. Minimal accessories reduce opportunities to break up your linear silhouette. Incorporate textured ties, pocket squares, and watches in your palette colours to create visual interest and dimension throughout your outfits.

Formal Wear Errors

Evening wear demands particular attention to structure and colour. The classic black dinner jacket immediately contradicts your seasonal palette while its typically clean lines can emphasise your rectangular shape.

Select soft navy or steel blue dinner jackets with structured shoulders and subtle waist suppression that honour your natural colouring while creating shape.

Insufficient structure creates another frequent mistake, maintaining your linear silhouette in a formal context where shape is particularly important.

Select models with moderate shoulder structure and subtle shaping that enhance your proportions without appearing exaggerated.

Formal accessories require equal consideration. Minimal accessories reduce opportunities to create visual interest in your upper body.

Choose silver or white gold accessories with subtle dimension, complemented by textured silk bow ties and volumetric pocket squares that harmonise with your cool colouring while creating visual interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I adapt my wardrobe for professional environments that expect traditional dark suits?

Select suits in soft navy rather than black, focusing on structured shoulders and subtle waist suppression to create shape while maintaining professional appropriateness.

Add personality through True Summer accessories, keeping them refined and proportional. Your steel blue shirts and soft plum ties create appropriate impact and horizontal detail while honouring your seasonal palette.

What modifications should I request from my tailor?

Instruct your tailor to incorporate moderate shoulder padding, create subtle waist suppression without exaggeration, and ensure your jacket length hits precisely at mid-hip.

Request proper sleeve head construction with moderate gathering and clean trouser lines that avoid extremes. These adjustments create subtle shape enhancement without appearing artificial or exaggerated.

How do I incorporate trends while maintaining my style principles?

Evaluate trends through your combined requirements. Adopt those that create subtle shape in your frame and align with your cool, muted palette.

Incorporate trending colours only when they match your seasonal swatches, and select trending cuts only when they contribute to creating structure and dimension rather than emphasising your linear silhouette.

Which accessories provide the most impact for my combination?

Focus on accessories that add dimension and horizontal detail to your frame. Structured watches with silver cases and blue or grey dials, textured ties with subtle patterns in steel blue or soft plum, and dimensional pocket squares in rose pink or lavender create sophisticated focal points.

Select accessories with subtle texture and moderate scale, avoiding both minimal and oversized pieces that either fail to create interest or overwhelm your refined appearance.

Style Like A True Gentleman

Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.

First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.

Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.

Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style in less than 5 minutes by yourself, for free, thanks to our four simple steps:

1. Find Your Body Shape

Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.

To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.

Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.

2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette

Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and you must ensure that each hue complements your natural colour.

To do that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.

3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style

By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.

The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.

4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU

And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.

Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.

Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.

Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste – the first styling assessment is on us!