How to Style Your Outfit With a Belt

The finishing touch that completes and elevates your overall ensemble can be a belt. Editors and influencers alike use the item to lend shape to a loose coat or jacket and to cinch big sweaters. Here are 5 ways to style your wardrobe with a belt, regardless of your preference for wide or slim silhouettes: 1. Fit it with your footwear.

1. Adorn it

An easy way to spice up a casual clothing is with a belt. Whether you're dressing in a short summer dress or a maxi dress, a belt can give the ensemble a more put together appearance. The secret is to measure your waist circumference and position the belt there. This will draw attention to your waist and naturally sculpt an hourglass figure. For this, a narrow belt works best. Try accessorising a black dress with a snakeskin belt or a white dress with a linen belt. Oversized coats and sweaters can also be effectively cinched in with thick, neutral belts. This is actually one of the ensembles from the Louis Vuitton spring '21 show.

2. Put it casual

A slim belt is a necessary piece of clothing that instantly dresses up casual ensembles. It can help cinch in the waist to produce a genuine hourglass look, making it a fantastic option to use with dresses lacking belt loops. It's important to position the belt at your natural waistline, neither higher nor lower. If you want to spice up an otherwise boring ensemble, you can also choose a belt with an embossed texture, such a snake or crocodile. Just be careful that the colour you select complements the other accessories in the same family. A-list celebrities and influencers have been seen accessorising a casual long blazer dress with a designer belt to add an extra dash of glitz. Try dressing this look up a notch by donning some studded boots for more flair. You can wear this style to social gatherings with your pals in the evening as well as midday coffee dates.

3. Adorn it once more

Wearing a belt may easily dress up jeans and trousers, particularly if your shirt is left untucked. This method can also be applied to dresses and skirts, as they usually fit looser than trousers do. A thin belt, such as this one made of black leather from ASTR the Label, will help balance out the volume of the clothing and add a final touch to your ensemble. A belt can even be worn with cardigans, blazers, and coats without belt loops. Just be sure that the belt's colour matches the remainder of your ensemble. Matching the colours of your shoes and belt is a smart style tip that has been made popular by dandies. Using a belt to tighten the waist of a winter coat or loose jacket is another excellent piece of advice. This is a great method to keep big garments appearing stylish, and it was used extensively at the Louis Vuitton Spring '21 show.

4. Take it down once more

Certain blouses and shirt dresses may have too much volume for your body type (particularly when worn without belts). Gitte (above) demonstrates how a thin belt can prevent a dress or tunic from appearing formless. Note: To avoid seeming overly blousy, make sure to tuck the top in completely before adding the belt. A simple ensemble like trousers and a tee gets visual appeal via a slender belt. Additionally, to help create a pleasing look, try tightening your jeans with a wide belt if they are too big. An elegant approach to dress up a casual ensemble is with a belt bag. To create a cohesive look, choose one that complements the colour of your handbag or shoes. When worn as a layering piece over a long coat or dress, a belt can also draw attention. To further help give the silhouette structure, you can even pair a puffer jacket with a wide belt.