My father has always said that the belt and the tie are symbols of modern-day shackles imposed by society. My mother, however, sees this accessory as an expression of individuality and style. For now, I tend to agree with my mother, so let’s dive deeper into the topic.
We all know that a belt is not an essential part of every outfit, but its presence not only holds clothes in place — it can also accentuate the advantages of our figure.
Let’s now find out how to incorporate it stylishly into our look.
Belts, in general, can be divided into two categories:
1. Classic belt.
2. Belt used only as an accent.
If you're about to purchase your first belt, we recommend choosing a classic one with a simple buckle. It's always in style and pairs easily with almost any clothing.
1. Check the material. Cheap synthetic belts fade quickly, so inspect your purchase carefully. Make sure the product is smooth, without scratches or damage.
2. Look for a belt that doesn’t hang loosely and has no unnecessary decorative elements.
3. Choose the right size. The best method is to measure your waist and add 15 cm to the result. This way, you’ll get the ideal belt length.
A belt can hide body imperfections, but it can also highlight them — so be mindful when choosing. Consider not only the fashion trends but also your body shape.
Let me now explain a bit more in detail:
1. If your body shape is "hourglass", then you have no limits when choosing a suitable belt. You can use everything from classic styles to double and even triple belts.
2. If you have a triangle-shaped body, a belt of medium width with a large buckle would suit you best.
3. For an apple-shaped figure, the best choice is a medium-width belt that fastens just above the waistline. Avoid models with massive buckles.
4. If you don’t have a big difference between your bust, waist, and shoulders, then your figure is rectangular. Choose a thin belt paired with loose clothing.
5. For an inverted triangle shape, it is recommended to wear the belt below the waistline combined with voluminous dresses.
If you are short and want to look taller, choose a belt that sits at or slightly above the waist to visually elongate your legs.
What does a belt go with?
Don’t forget — combining a belt with different garments creates a variety of looks. You can pair it with a skirt, dress, shirt, or coat.
Pairing a belt with a coat is my favorite! The goal here is to create a visual hourglass silhouette, so emphasize the waist. Use belts made of genuine leather, as synthetic materials can ruin the harmony of your look.
A classic beige trench coat suits almost any belt, except for very wide ones which may visually divide your body in two and ruin your proportions.
If you want to stand out from the crowd, wear belts in bold colors — but make sure there's at least one more element in your outfit in the same shade (scarf, handbag, hat, etc.).
Belts aren’t just for fitted clothes. Oversized garments also love belts. In this case, the belt defines the waist without visually slimming it too much.
We must distinguish between oversized clothes and bulky puffer garments. Be especially careful when looking for a belt to go with a puffy jacket. Choose only wide belts that don’t squeeze — with a thin one, you risk looking completely ridiculous.
If you’ve decided to blindly follow fashion this year, then choose the longest belt possible and let its end hang down.
Only when wearing jeans is it better for the belt to be tucked in neatly and match the loops.
When it comes to harmony, a black or brown belt is ideal for blue or light blue jeans.
A brightly colored belt also looks great paired with blue jeans.
Alberta Ferretti’s show proved that if you’re a fan of bold and chunky accessories, you can pair such a belt with a light, flowy dress.
The skirt is another piece that pairs successfully with a belt — but this applies only to long, floor-length skirts. Exceptions are pencil skirts and short denim skirts.
My favorite belt combo is with a long blouse and voluminous sleeves. The volume on top combined with a defined waist creates a great look!
Choose a belt based on your body type – hourglass, triangle, apple, rectangle, or inverted triangle.
The two main types are the classic belt with a buckle and the decorative belt used purely as an accent.
Thin belts highlight the waist in dresses, while wide belts work well with long skirts and oversized outfits.
Yes, but use a wide belt to maintain a harmonious look and avoid an awkward appearance.
Protect this accessory from moisture and sunlight. Store it on a hanger or rolled up to prevent creases, which can affect its appearance.