In a season of disparate trends, the belt is the great unifier, the one accessory that brings a look together. Whether your look is military-influenced, rockabilly Valley Girl or spectator savvy, you’ll need a belt to cinch your style.
“A belt pulls the whole look together. It is a finishing touch that makes your outfit look a bit more thought out,” says Nena Ivon, manager of special events for Saks Fifth Avenue on North Michigan Avenue.
Michael Kors, who showed wide leather belts prominently in his debut accessories collection, dubbed belts the season’s must-haves, saying, “I like them low slung.”
Wide and low slung have turned out to be two of the biggest watchwords in belts, and anyone who favors clean-cut jeans and khakis should be on the lookout for one of these numbers to update a classic look and make it, as Ivon says, “very current.”
Pants aren’t the only wardrobe staple that can benefit from the belted look. This season’s shorter skirts also look great accented by a wide belt. Over-sized cinchers also work with shirts and tanks-those shown by Kors were worn slightly askew and dangerously unbuttoned.
Sweaters look completely new when paired with a slim belt and a full skirt. This silhouette is especially good for those with a tiny waist but a little something to hide in the hips or rear. Look for narrow belts made of pretty ribbon or polished leather.
Belts also work with the current tough-chic trend; spikes, grommets and other elements of heavy-metal hardware abound. A punky alternative to the wide belt is a slimmer studded belt that wraps around more than once. The layers create interest at the waist. “Women like to draw attention to the good parts of their silhouette, and for a lot of women, that’s the waist,” says Ivon.
Another way to emphasize the waist is to pile on the chain belts, which offer more room for self-expression and can’t be beat for versatility. Wear several-or one showstopper, perhaps a jeweled version.
No matter what type of belt you choose, this accessory really does allow you to personalize your look. Those grosgrain and webbed belts of your youth? Dig them out. The status belt that you’ve been coveting for years? Spring for it now.
Belts, the quick-change artists of the accessory world, will be the focal point of most ensembles this spring. Pick one out and wear it proudly.
