Trending belts and how to Wear them

Double Buckle Cowboy Belt

Belts are fun and useful accessories that have the potential to add a whole new dimension to your wardrobe. They can add extra polish to an outfit, define the waistline as needed, provide textural interest and even add a bit of edge.

Wearing belts effectively over tops and dresses is a nuptials between the style, colour and position of the belt, and the style of top. That’s a lot of variables! But there are a few loose guidelines that might help you to get started on your own. In some instances you’ll apply many of these guidelines to one outfit, whereas in others you’ll only apply one or two:

Jessica Simpson Scarlet Red Belt

Wide Ties  Belt

• Find your sweet spot: Position is important. Sometimes your sweet spot will be a little higher than your natural waistline and sometimes a little lower. When you’re regular bust size and carrying a little extra around the midriff, positioning a belt just above the waistline is usually the sweet spot. When you’re short-waisted and well endowed, positioning a belt lower than the waistline in front and at waist level in the back is often the solution. If you’re long wasited, wearing a belt high on the natural waist is usually most effective.
• Pick a width: Sometimes a wider elasticized belt worn a little above your midriff extra bits does the trick. Sometimes positioning it right onto the extra bits does the girdling trick. With a straight, undefined waistline, a narrower belt positioned a little lower in front can work really well. Long waisted ladies can usually wear extra wide belts, whereas short-waisted gals tend to look better in narrower or skinny belts.
• Elastic Belt: Where possible, choose belts that are part elastic because you can’t beat the comfort. They’ll stretch with your body during the day.
• Give it time: Belts can feel odd when you’re not used to wearing them. Sometimes it’s just a question of getting used to the extra pressure around your waistline, so allow some time to get used to the feeling of wearing a belt.
•  Low contrast belt: Once you’ve found your sweet spot and the best widths for your frame, you have a choice between making the belt contrast or blend in with your outfit. A low contrast belt is usually best for waistlines which aren’t that defined, giving you a flattering long lean line.  Whereas a high contrast belt automatically draws more attention to the waistline.
• Add another layer: Layering a jacket or cardigan over a top with either a low or high contrast belt is an effective way of wearing a belt without worrying about its effects around the midriff. When worn this way, the belt adds an interesting textural dimension to your outfit. 

You can absolutely look Good sporting a beltless style, but they do add many more options to your existing wardrobe. If you would like to add belts to your outfits, start by following some of the suggestions above and don’t give up too soon.

If anyone has more belt wearing tips to share, let’s hear them. If there are further belt wearing concerns let’s hear those too.