When it comes to accessorizing an outfit, one of the most effective moves is to cinch it with a belt. And if you follow me, you know that I do not waste a chance to cinch a look! My strong penchant for belts stemmed from practical needs: to keep my pants up, polish a tucked-in look, or adjust an oversized piece. As I turned to belts for those practical reasons, belts progressively became an inherent part of my outfit routines. From belting jeans to avoid the gap at the back to belting a maxi dress to make it more tailored, a belt seems to always have a place in an outfit. Now, outfits are not created equal. Nor are belts. Those come in various materials, various trims, different hardware, and different widths. With all these options, matching the right belt to the right outfit is key to maximizing that accessory. Here are 5 tips to ensure you're cinching like a pro:
1. Mind the Belt Material
Belts come in a variety of materials, mostly in smooth leather, suede, and fabric. A smooth leather belt is the most versatile of all as it can be worn with business professional outfits such as a pants suit, as well as be paired with your jeans-and-a-tee weekend attire. A leather belt is also seasonless, meaning you can confidently reach for it year round.
On the other hand, a fabric sash belt is a great choice for balancing the polish of a cinch with a more casual allure. Those work well with maxi dresses and breezy Summer outfits in general.
Speaking of Summer, there are also raffia belts which instantly add a chic, hot weather vibe to dresses, especially when coordinated with other raffia accessories such as raffia sandals and a raffia bag.
Shop Sézane raffia belt
Shop J.McLaughlin raffia belt
2. Go For the Right Width
Corset belts, wide belts, standard belts, skinny belts, all are options when shopping for a belt. And each cinches differently as well as adds a different flair to a look. A wide belt (2 inches or wider) is my go-to for a bold look. Those add striking visual interest and can create a flow with an outfit color palette. Wide belts are also best for smoothing oversized tops. For instance, when styling an oversized blazer or oversized shirt, a wider belt is going to give a cleaner finish than a skinny belt will.
Shop Anthropologie Wide Square Buckle Leather Belt
Shop LaMarque Extra Wide Leather Belt
Shop Alice and Olivia Wide Leather Belt
Skinny belts (up to 1 inch wide) are best when the fit is already good and you simply want to add an accent – think pants with a fitted shirt or a well-fitting sheath dress or a maxi fit-and-flare dress. A skinny belt gives a refined edge to an outfit, one that says "I mind the small details".
Shop Slim Leather Belt at Aritzia
A corset belt is the statement-making piece. Those are typically very wide (4 inches and up), with more structure. They are best for tucked-in looks when you want a seamless transition between the top and the bottom such as pairing wide-leg pants with a loose-fitting top. A corset belt also works well at balancing longline tops where a skinny belt would look disproportionate.
Shop Déhanche Leather Corset Belt
With a standard width belt (say 1 inch to 1.5 inches wide), you're sure to be able to work with standard belt loops, be it on jeans or pants. A standard belt is a happy medium if you need the practicality of a belt while also wanting to accessorize your look.
3. Hardware Matters
In addition to width and material, hardware is an important part of a belt's vibe. Hardware comes in several elements, such as buckles, belt keepers, grommets, studs, and end tips. Different belt styles make use of different hardware. And that hardware usually comes in gold or silver colors. There are no hard-and-fast rules about which color is best. This is a matter of preference and my recommendation is to coordinate your belt hardware with your other accessories such as hardware on your bag and jewelry if you want to keep it classic. My belt collection has both gold and silver because both tones are part of my accessory stash.
Shop this brown wide leather belt⬆️
When it comes to picking a belt style, another main feature to consider is the buckle and keeper design. How big are they? What shape are they? How does the belt lay with them? Those are key in defining a look. I recommend sticking to classic buckle styles such as rounded shapes and rectangular shapes. Those are timeless and effortlessly elevate a look.
4. Length Also Matters
How far out should the tip of your belt hang? That is an important point to factor in your belt purchase and styling. The wider the belt, the less extra length you want, especially if the belt is made of a more structured leather. The rule of thumb is that your belt should fit you right when buckled at the mid hole. If you need to go all the way to the tighter hole, then your belt is too big. Likewise, if you need to stay on the looser holes, then your belt is likely too small.
Length can be flexible when you're dealing with a flexible, softer belt such as a braided leather belt, a tail belt, or a sash belt. Extra length can actually add to the flair of a look when it is done intentionally. I love a hanging tail when I want to relax a more structured outfit like a blazer and jeans.
Shop this braided wide leather belt ⬆️
5. Pick Your Belt Colors Carefully
Black and brown are the two classic and most popular belt colors. Even though belts come in a multitude of colors, you're always safe if you can reach for a black or brown piece. Most of my collection is built around different materials and shades of these two hues, though I have a strong preference for a brown belt. Brown is more neutral so when you want to cinch a look without interfering too much with the color palette, brown works wonders. Of course, you could go for a belt in the same color as the outfit to keep the focus on the silhouette, but building that colorful of a belt collection could be costly!
When you're shooting for something bold, then contrast is the way to go. Think a black wide leather belt on a purple oversized blazer. It is striking and contributes to the flow of the outfit if you have on printed black pants, black shoes, and a black bag. It's all about knowing what you're going for and cinching accordingly.
Other Tips to Consider
Storing your belt properly is important! I recommend keeping your belts rolled when you're not using them, especially the more structured leather belts. The proper storage ensures that the belt builds a "rounded" memory allowing the tip to contour your waist when worn. Hanging a belt could make it too straight and cause the tail to stick out when you put it on.
Another tip to consider is the lining of your belt, especially for leather belts. If you plan on wearing your belt with delicate materials and knits, you'll want to make sure that the inside of the belt is smooth so that it doesn't snag your blouses and sweaters. Braided leather belts typically don't have any inside lining so it's best to not pair them with softer fabrics that could get rubbed by the coarser back side.
Now that you know all the tips about belting, what's one thing you'll do differently with this accessory? Chime in in the comments!
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