16 December 2009 – On Blousing and Belting, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Mustard top – Forever 21
- Yellow cardigan – Banana Republic Factory
- Belt – Gap Outlet
- Denim pencil skirt – Banana Republic Factory
- Tights – Old Navy
- Boots – Steve Madden Iriss, via eBay
End Notes:
I continue to be impressed with all the ways that S. has been layering her capsule wardrobe in unexpected ways. Vest over a button down over a dress? Thus inspired, I wanted to try my hand at some out-of-order layering.
Cardigans usually top an outfit as the outermost layer. But today, I thought I’d try wearing it underneath a blousier top that is otherwise difficult to layer. I think the trick to making this layering work is using a relatively thin cardigan with a crew (rather than v-) neck.
And now a few words on…belting without belt loops! Several of you asked how I kept my black belt in place when worn over a skirt that had no belt loops. I wish I had a clever secret to share but, alas, for me it’s a mere matter of physiology. My belts always gravitate towards the narrowest part of my torso. That skirt sat at my natural waist, I belted at my natural waist, and…there really was no where else for the belt to go, seeing as it was stymied by my rib cage above and my hips below. It helps that I’m also very long-waisted.
When wearing leather belts like that wide black one or my narrow reptile one, I have little choice but to loop it wherever my natural waist falls. (Observant readers may notice that my belting migrated upwards during my pregnancy…) Frankly, such belting is fairly useless for actually holding anything up or together.
When I want to wear a belt either above or slightly below my natural waist, I tend to turn to this trusty brown leather and elastic belt. The stretch of the elastic makes it a prime candidate for actually holding things in place (like a big cardigan or a skirt that needs to be hiked) and its width helps to create a more defined waistline when I need it (like in a shift dress that isn’t tailor made for me). Forever 21 is often a good source for inexpensive wide belts with elastic backs. I’m eying this black reptile belt right now, in fact.
Does anyone else have a secret belt-securing strategy when there are no belt loops to be had? If so, please share it in the comments!
16 December 2009 – On Blousing and Belting, originally uploaded by academichic.
One of the reasons I love your posts is that I too am long-waisted; 5’7″, and about 120 pounds. Seeing how it looks on you is a good metric for how it would look on me, and belts are a totally similar story for me. If they’re at my natural waist, they don’t budge. If I wear them at my hips, without loops they’re climbing and climbing. Indeed, the only exception is elastic belts. Much more control.
wow… I never thought much about belting as I always do it at my natural waist. I think more elastic belts would be a great addition to my wardrobe!
also, I loooooove how you layered the cardigan under the blouse. so original! and the colors are awesome :)
I just had a reader ask about this! I had no real advice for migrating belts except to say that softer options – scarves and braided suede or leather – are more forgiving and will stay put better. You can also cinch them tighter without cutting off your air supply!
I have a seemingly silly, but important-to-me question. Do you have any recommendations for antiperspirants/deodorants? I tend to avoid colorful things like that amazing yellow because they show sweat and I’m getting tired of white and black! I’m embarrassed to ask, *blush* but I thought I’d bite the bullet and do it here.
-courtney
Courtney—I’ve been using Secret Clinical Strength (the one you put on the night before when you go to bed) for several months now and it is fantastic. I too also tend to get sweatmarks, but even in the middle of summer this thing prevented them. So I definitely recommend it.
Belting–I too have to belt at my natural waist or else belts just ride up there anyway. I hadn’t thought of trying a more elastic belt, I might have to try it soon.
I love this idea! I will definitely be trying a cardigan under a blousier top soon (tomorrow, perhaps?). We’ll see how it goes.
I also have no advice, as I wear my belts at my waist as well, or resting just above my hips, so I would like to hear some secrets as well, as I’m wearing more belts lately.
I’ve belted just under my bust before (I’m short waisted and the empire style can give the illusion of a more balanced proportion by hiding my actual waist). I can never do it with a straight up leather belt because of the slippage, though…it generally only works with elastic or belts that have some sort of suede or fabric side, so the friction can keep them up. I’ve also pinned certain belts in place, and then I guess just tighten the damn thing as much as you can and then have good posture so it stays put!
do no one else’s belts migrate to just under their boobs, every single time? i’m shortwaisted, yes, but not THAT shortwaisted. it’s really annoying, and safety pins only work on things that are not leather.
OH MY GOSH! I love this! I recently started experimenting with layering 2 cardigans, but layering a cardigan under another top is genius! I love this whole look.
I am short waisted but I do not have a problem with belts moving about. I think someone women’s smallest place truly is under the bust (isn’t that something Clinton and Stacy bring up?) so if your belts are migrating there, that is my guess as to why.
Loving the layers—and the colors. a ruffle-necked blouse would also look killer under that yellow: maybe something with dots or stripes in it.
yes, do dah, I have this problem, too. I don’t have much of a waist (and it seems to be ever-expanding with age), so I fear this is what catalyzes the migration north for me. Perhaps stretchy belts are the solution…
ooh you look so beautiful! I love that mustard color!!!
Great proportions and color combo on this outfit!
I love this look! The color, the denim pencil skirt, the belting. You look wonderful.
I loved this outfit so much I had to try it myself -
http://atherbest.blogspot.com/2009/12/frilly-friday.html.
You’re an inspiration! Thank you!