Fashion 101: Experimenting with Belts

Posted on | March 15, 2010 | 22 Comments

Fashion 101: Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

Last week, as we focused on Tights for our Fashion 101 course, E. demonstrated how significant of a change can occur when simply swapping one pair of tights for another. I was curious to see whether changing one’s belt could likewise result in such a different look or register (level of formality). To try this out, I kept everything other than the belt consistent and simple – a black dress, black tights, and black boots provide the backdrop to this experiment.

When you have an all-neutrals outfit with few embellishments or adornments, pretty much any belt will provide that instant focal point. So it makes sense to choose a piece that’s deserving of that kind of attention – like this pretty coral and gold flower one (above). Since everything else is pretty much a blank canvas, the belt sets the tone and in this case evokes a bit of a romantic bohemian feel.

Fashion 101: Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

Changing the delicate flower belt to a wide white leather one makes for a striking difference in result – now the black dress feels more mod and retro. (And for a side note on belt width: I usually prefer skinny belts and have but few wide ones like this one. I have a short torso and wearing wide belts usually stumps it even more. But I have found that when it comes to belting a dress and not a top or cardigan, a wide belt can work and even work well. I attribute this to the length of fabric that is presented by the dress that leaves the question of where one’s torso ends more to the imagination.)

Fashion 101: Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

So a belt can make the same LBD look retro or boho chic and it can also just serve as a pop of color to an all-neutrals base. I’m not sure I’m crazy about this combination, but the bright yellow does add an unexpected punch of brightness to the all black outfit.

Fashion 101: Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

Even better than the yellow, this skinny red belt likewise adds a pop of color while keeping the shock factor to more of a minimum. Since this is not patent leather like the yellow belt above and also a bit skinnier, it makes for less of a statement piece. It’s just the right amount of color to break up the black and add a bit of fun. I think this look would look great with some red accessories (earrings or a cuff) to pick up the red from from the belt and extend it to a few more items in the outfit.

Fashion 101: Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

Since I mentioned that I’ll make an exception for a wider belt when worn with a dress, I thought I’d give another one of the wide variety a try. This studded black leather belt with the oversized buckle gives the dress a casual yet modern look. Although it’s less striking than one of the boldly colored options, I like the fluidity that this monochromatic color scheme provides and I’d probably choose this over the wide white belt shown above.

I have worn this dress several times to the opera and each time, I’ve reached for this thin black velvet belt with a delicate jewel-encrusted buckle (below). I feel like wearing this elegant piece instantly lifts the dress to a more formal register and, even when paired with boots, the belt does its magic and gives the LBD more elegant of an appearance than the wider versions of the above examples.

Fashion 101: Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

It can also be fun to experiment with non-belt items when cinching an outfit together. Scarves are the perfect alternative, especially the thin long kinds that can be wrapped around, knotted, or tied off with a bow. (I even doubled up on a scarf under a belt not too long ago). I am more likely to wear scarves as belts in the summer when the ethereal nature of the scarf belt seems to echo the light and breezy feel of the season.

Fashion 101: Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

For being such a small part of an outfit, a belt can have quite the power in setting the tone of one’s look. Belts are also excellent ‘outfit transformers’ since they’re small, compact, and easy to travel with. One could forgo packing a collection of several dresses and simply alter the level of formality and look of one dress with the aid of several diverse belts when on vacation.

Which one of these Belt+LBD combinations is your favorite? I think any of these pairings could work and my choice would be likely dictated by the event and context in question. S.

Category: Dresses for Day, Dresses for Evening, Fashion 101, Proportionally, Teaching Moment

Comments

22 Responses to “Fashion 101: Experimenting with Belts”

futurelint
March 15th, 2010 @ 6:47 am

Very interesting little experiment! I’m surprised on how much the belt could change the look – I think my favorite is the little velvet jeweled one!
Tara
March 15th, 2010 @ 6:49 am

My favorite is the white belt. It really defines your waist. What a great post!
v.
March 15th, 2010 @ 7:15 am

Loving the white belt!
Kate B
March 15th, 2010 @ 7:26 am

The white belt is my favorite.
Sally
March 15th, 2010 @ 7:27 am

I was reminded just the other day that a monochrome outfit with a contrasting colored belt can draw the eye right to your waistline. I love the red version for that very reason!
Diane
March 15th, 2010 @ 7:32 am

Thanks for the tutorial/experiment!

I notice that since there aren’t any belt loops on the dress, you have to tuck the doubled-over portion of the belts into themselves to get the belts to fit/stay up. My belts all do the same thing, which is why I frequently use scarves instead of belts to cinch an outfit (thanks for those scarf pictures at the end — they’re lovely!).

I don’t mind looping skinny belts into themselves, but the larger ones seem too bulky to me when doubled over & tucked in (cf. the thin black velvet belt with the wide white leather one).

Do you have any solutions besides buying shorter belts? (Your studded black leather one seems to be the perfect length!)

Sorry if this is an impossible question!
sundaze
March 15th, 2010 @ 7:47 am

Love the white belt!
Diana
March 15th, 2010 @ 8:03 am

I’m loving the wider belts, especially the white one. Also, thanks for the inspiration and reminding me of the scarf belt! I’ve been puzzling over what kind of belt to wear with a particular somewhat tent-like dress, and none of my current belts seem to be doing it. I think a scarf might be just the thing though.
GingerR
March 15th, 2010 @ 8:52 am

I have the same thoughts as Diane about how to secure the ends of a belt that’s long on a garmet without belt loops.

I would have liked a peek at the back of the dress. Oftentimes I’m unhappy with the way dress fabric behaves there. It seems that dresses that were designed for a belt sometimes have darting around back to handle the ease.

I like the black velvet or the black wide belts best.
S@sha
March 15th, 2010 @ 9:57 am

The white belt is my favorite as well.
Another A.
March 15th, 2010 @ 10:15 am

Great tutorial! I like the skinny red belt and the pinkish scarf belt.

I’d like to echo Ginger’s question: what does the back of the dress look like? I also find that belting might look fine in the front, but with these billowy shapeless dresses there is either too much fabric hanging out over the top of the belt at the back. If I pull the excess through the belt then the dress clings to my backside. Do you have tips for tucking or something to get the garment to lie more flat?
Kelsey
March 15th, 2010 @ 10:18 am

Gotta be honest– the white belt look is stunning. It definitely does have a mod feel, and the look overall is so classy and intentional. Plus, it makes your waist teeny-tiny.
spacegeek
March 15th, 2010 @ 11:11 am

Fascinating! I don’t think I would have pegged you as short-waisted in previous posts! (I am, and I’ve always thought I “couldn’t” belt as a result!) I’m going to pay more attention and even perhaps try a belt myself…

I like the skinny red one.

Would also like to see the back–I worry about that area too!
Teri
March 15th, 2010 @ 1:56 pm

I’m short, too. But I gotta say that white belt is the BEST. I’m off to buy one for my LBD!
All Women Stalker
March 15th, 2010 @ 6:10 pm

The scarves look great with this all-black outfit :)
admin
March 16th, 2010 @ 12:47 am

Thanks for all your feedback, everyone! I would have never given the white belt as much credit as you did, so now I’m reconsidering :)

As for all of you who asked about the back of the dress – I don’t have a picture to share but while there is some gathering of the fabric, it’s nothing too distracting or unmanageable. This dress has a pretty straight and narrow cut, so there isn’t too much loose fabric that can bunch when gathering it in at the waist. S.
karen
March 16th, 2010 @ 6:38 am

love this post— your pictures are so darling, and I love the red belt, but red is my favorite color!your info is lwonderful, and the pictures help tremendously!
Sarah
March 16th, 2010 @ 7:36 pm

This was interesting – because that white belt is not a belt I would ever purchase myself or would expect to prefer, but it’s my favorite of the looks! (I too shy away from wide belts… but maybe I’ll have to reconsider)
J.G.
March 17th, 2010 @ 1:33 am

Hi, I have just come across this site and think it’s a wonderful idea . The pics are fabulous. From the perspective of a male European, I prefer the studded belt. It looks superb with those boots. However I agree with the author in that the LBD is best suited to the small black elegant belt , especially if matched with elegant tights and beautiful peep-toe shoes. As the belt is such a statement piece and as it can really lift an outfit, I believe it should be as expensive as you can afford. Has anyone mentioned that you need a really slim figure to be able to wear the thin belt? The white belt may work better from expensive komono style expensive material with a side bow. Recently so many girls in Britian are no longer wearing belts with their jeans. Why is this? To me it just looks lazy and sloppy. Keep up the good work.
Amy M
March 17th, 2010 @ 2:17 am

I actually like the big white one the best. My second favorite is the skinny red one. I love seeing all the different belt options, one right after the other. So helpful!
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March 19th, 2010 @ 8:33 am

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