The wonderful world of BELTS! (also known as Belts 101 - a complete dummies guide)

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kinesis

Member
Feb 8, 2006
138
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So having relatively recently moved from Aust to the UK, I am discovering a lot of new things.. like Jordan's real name, for example! hehe

Clothes have been a real shock, because in Aus it would never get cold enough to wear things like scarves and coats and now they are the staple of my wardrobe. I think its so much fun to dress up with all these 'new' accessories! I am loving it - especially because scarves are really inexpensive so you can instantly change a whole outfit with just a few pounds!

But the one thing I'm still not "getting" are belts. When I grew up, a belt was something you used to keep your pants up. Now that I don't need it for that, I can see that the point of belts is that they are decorative and you use them to give an outfit shape, but it feels like whenever I go shopping for one, i struggle.

I'd love some advice about how to buy belts or even how to shop for them. And, what is a reasonable number of belts to have in your wardrobe? Should I have a few fat ones, a few thin ones, etc? Or do different belt sizes/shapes/ locations flatter different body types?

To give you an idea, I am petite (5'3" and average-slim build (size UK/AUS 8)) - fairly evenly proportioned...

Even if you could post some pictures of looks that you love that incorporate belts, that would help heaps!

Oh, and of course also I want advice on where to go to BUY belts!? I live Edinbugh so have acess to most of the UK high st labels (in Glasgow if not the Burgh).

Thanks lovelies!! xoxo
 
Well first tip, especially based on your body type description would be to buy a thicker belt to wear at your waist. It plays up your natural proportions and makes you look thinner especially if you wear it over flowier dresses. I have a black one and a brown one that match with almost anything.
 
^^ I would lean more towards having a mix of belts, both thin and thicker... I have 3 wide belts and two thin belts currently. For petite girls (myself included) I actually prefer thin belts, thick belts tend to make you appear stumpier as it doesn't exaggerate the waist as much as thinner belts do. I think what's best is to try some belts on the next time you go shopping and see what you prefer, then work off that. I wear my thicker belts when I'm wearing heels as then it doesn't make you as stumpy.

At the moment as studded items are quite trendy look at having one of those and definitely a black patent/ matte black and a tan belt. You can also buy belts in bright accent colours to brighten a dark outfit (particularly in winter) :smile: As for pictures, check out the sartorialist and perhaps Miroslava Duma's thread here, both have great ideas for belts (I've posted some of my faves below)

What part of Australia did you live in? I wear my scarfs and belts all the time haha, Perth was freezing this winter (well cold for me :P)
 

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