The fact that you likely already have half a dozen belts stashed in your wardrobe is a very satisfying quality of the season’s most coveted accessory—the humble belt.
You can put your outfit together and appear more mature by wearing a belt in addition to keeping your pants up. But how to wear a belt?
Make sure the belt you select is the appropriate length and appropriate for the situation you’ll be wearing it for. Keep reading and learn different types of belt and how to style it.
Table of Contents
What Is A Belt?
Traditionally, a belt has been a piece of clothing worn to hold a pair of bottoms or pants to the waist. They can be used to cinch the waist of pants that are a little loose or to keep up potentially tight pants. Though their primary function was to prevent pants from slipping down, belts are now frequently worn as stylish accessories to complete looks. You can add color to an ensemble, unify a busy look, or highlight your natural silhouette by belt-styling your clothing. Numerous formal and informal settings can benefit from the various styles of belts.
3 Parts Of A Belt
Although there are many different types and styles of belts, traditional ones frequently have three basic parts.
- Buckle: The frame, the prong, and the bar are the three components that make up a typical belt buckle. The frame is the “base” of the buckle, while the prong—attached to the bar—is the movable piece that slips into the belt strap’s notches for tightening or loosening. The most common materials used to make belt buckles are metal, zinc alloy, and plastic.
- Strap: The material of the belt itself, which can be made of leather or fabric, is the belt’s strap. The strap has several belt holes pierced through it that are known as notches, and the prong of the belt buckle slides into these notches to change the size and fit of the belt.
- Loop: The loop of a belt is where the end of the belt or “tongue” slides in after tightening/loosening to hold the belt (mostly) flush against itself.
Various Types Of Belts
Belts come in a wide variety of formal and informal styles that add various stylistic accents to an outfit. Even some of these belts serve slightly different purposes. 13 different belt types are described in brief here.
- Formal belts: These dress belts are typically saved for formal occasions and are frequently worn with suits or dress slacks. One popular kind of formal belt is the cumberbund, a pleated fabric belt typically worn with a tuxedo or suit. Although depending on the quality, suede belts can also go with more formal attire. They are occasionally seen as being more semi-formal.
- Leather belts: To keep a pair of pants up, leather belts are typically brown or black accessories. Although there are faux leather options for those who lead a vegan lifestyle, the majority of leather belts are made from cowhide (either full-grain leather or calfskin). In both casual and formal settings, leather belts are appropriate.
- Braided belts: In order to create a plaited, solid piece of material, numerous pieces of leather are braided together to form a belt. Despite having a more casual look, they can be worn in a formal setting.
- Garter belts: The purpose of a garter belt is to prevent thigh-high socks or garters from falling down while it is worn as lingerie.
- Obi belts: A large, thick piece of fabric or leather is wrapped around the midriff and tied in a bow to form an obi belt, a particular style of wrap belt. It is a well-liked design for Japanese kimonos or fighting techniques.
- Chain belts: An accessory known as a chain belt is created from a metal chain and is typically worn around the midsection or at the hips of the wearer.
- Cinch belts: Wide belts called “cinch belts” are used to define a person’s silhouette and cinch a person’s waist. They can be made of leather, fabric, or an elastic material that stretches to fit your midsection.
- D-ring belts: D-ring belts fasten with two d-shaped rings that the end tip of the belt is threaded through to hold in place, as opposed to the traditional belt buckle and notch system. Instead of being made of leather, D-ring belts are typically made of canvas, cotton, or another type of fabric.
- Reversible belts: Reversible belts are casual or formal belts that come with a twistable buckle which makes it possible to wear the belt “inside out.” A reversible belt might have a different design or color on its other side.
- Skinny belts: Formal or casual belts made of leather are the majority of thin belts. They are frequently worn as waist belts to draw attention to a person’s shape, which elevates their fashionable status above their usefulness.
- Canvas belts: Initially, military personnel wore canvas belts as a part of their training attire. They allow for more movement than a leather belt would while still holding a pair of bottoms to a person’s waist. Frequently, synthetic webbing or a linen-cotton blend are used to make canvas belts. These belts fasten with plastic hardware that resembles a seat belt in place of a metal buckle.
- Studded belts: Studded belts are belt straps with metal or plastic embellishments like grommets or studs that add texture and substance to otherwise plain, flat belts.
- Western belts: Western belts, which are made of thick leather and were traditionally worn by cowboys, can help someone keep their pants up while riding a horse. Western belts have become more fashionable in recent years thanks to their large, silver, engraved buckles and elaborately embossed leather strap designs.
How To Wear A Belt?
Contrast With Your Coat
Change up the coordinating belt for something more stylish to make your winter coat completely one-of-a-kind. The possibilities are endless: match your scarf, complement it, go for a studded style, etc. Play around with different combinations for every day of the week
Remember Your Belt Loops
To accessorize with what you already have, in this case, loops on your pants, may seem obvious. This is ideal for giving smart/casual trousers that you need to dress up for work a polished touch. And just for fun, switch out the tie waist on a pair of paperbag jeans for one with a different style.
Belt A Blazer
The allure of a blazer is that it can instantly add a touch of sophistication to anything, especially jeans. Consider adding a belt to take it a step further this season. If your tailoring is plain, add texture with woven or embossed designs. Enjoy the ladylike, nipped-in appearance by making sure it sits perfectly on your waist.
The “Just Because” Belt
When it comes to cinching, don’t let your waistline dictate how you look; when wearing loose or knitted dresses, use a belt to give your silhouette shape and personality. This season, the big trends are animal prints and brass hardware loops.
Cinch In A Cardigan
There is always room for a belt, whether you prefer your knitwear big and boxy or slim and balletic. Try pulling the material over the top of your waist belt when wearing an oversized, thigh-grazing cardigan for a slightly unfinished appearance. Leave the lower buttons undone, as seen in the example above, and go with a slim belt for a neater look. It’s the ideal method for modernizing a pleated midi skirt.
Tips For Styling With Belts
In order to function as an accessory, belts must keep your pants up. Belts can be used to add some extra personality or shape to an ensemble that needs it. They can also be used to style clothing. Here are four styling suggestions for belts that can be used with formal or casual attire.
- Use belts to enhance your silhouette. When wearing a belt, be conscious of the shape it gives your body. With billowy clothing, such as a tunic top or shift dress, you can use them to draw attention to your waist. When tightened over a cardigan or blazer, it can even add more structure.
- Use belts to add (or bring out) a pop of color. When accessorizing an outfit with a belt, play around with various color schemes and designs. Use the belt to bring your ensemble together and draw color inspiration from the prints and patterns on your other pieces of clothing.
- Use belts to make a statement. A statement belt, such as one with a large buckle or intriguing design accent, can act as the focal point of your outfit. It can give a plain outfit some character or color.
- Make sure you can see the belt. Make sure the belt is noticeable on your attire whether you’re wearing it for practicality or fashion. If you’re wearing something bulky on top, like an oversized sweater, French tucking your shirt is a great way to highlight a statement belt.
How To Measure Belt Size?
Making sure that the belt you choose is the right size is crucial when choosing one. Here is a brief explanation of how to determine your belt size.
- Measure your waist size. The best way to obtain an exact measurement to determine your proper belt size is to use a measuring tape. Simply thread your soft tape measure through your pant loops (or wrap it around the waistband of your pants) and secure the ends where your belt would be most comfortable. This measurement will provide you with the appropriate length in inches for your belt. To find the right belt size for your waist measurement, you can also refer to a belt sizing chart.
- Measure an existing belt. Using this method, you can also figure out what size belt you need. Measure the length of your current belt, rounding to the nearest inch, from the notch you use to the point where the end of the belt meets the buckle.
- Add inches to your pants size. The general rule of thumb is to add two inches to your waist measurement to get the ideal belt size.
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