Belts: those trusty bands of leather or fabric designed to keep our pants from defying gravity. However, somewhere between their functional inception and today, they’ve evolved from mere waist-huggers to statement pieces capable of transforming an outfit from drab to fab. If you think about it, selecting and wearing a belt should be straightforward, right? Wrong. As it turns out, there’s a fine art to wearing a small belt, and we’re here to guide you through it with a mix of humor and style advice that would make even the most dapper gentleman or lady chuckle.
Product on Amazon: Dickies Men’s Casual Leather Belt
Price: $14
Rating: 4.5 with 159,274 ratings
Brand: Dickies
Let’s tackle the age-old question: which way to wear a belt? It might surprise you to know that this is not merely a matter of personal preference. Oh no, it’s an unwritten rule of the fashion world, dictated by factors such as gender and even which hand you favor for writing. Men typically go counterclockwise, from left to right, ending the belt’s journey on the left side of the zipper. Meanwhile, women wear their belts clockwise, ending on the right. But, if you’re a left-handed chap, you might find yourself strapping in the opposite direction, because why make life easy?
We’ll talk about the ratchet belt – the belt that decided it was high time we did away with holes. This marvel of modern engineering locks into place using a ratchet system inside the buckle, allowing for precise adjustments. This means you can finally say goodbye to the ‘in-between’ sizes dilemma. The steps for strapping on one of these bad boys, like the Nexbelt, are simple: find your pant size, add a couple of inches, cut, and voilà, you’re ready to take on the world, or at least your pants are.
Product on Amazon: CHAOREN Mens Belt Leather Ratchet Belt – Customizable Fit, Effortless Style (35mm)
Price: $12.74
Rating: 4.6 with 41,926 ratings
Brand: CHAOREN
But what about styling these wondrous belts? The advice from our stylist gurus ranges from matching your belt with your shoes by color or style, to avoiding a belt altogether when donning a suit. That’s right, Jeff K Kim advises that a suit should fit you so well, a belt would merely add unnecessary bulk to your mid-section. And if you’re choosing between making a statement with your belt or your shoes, Wendi and Nicole Ferreira recommend letting one blend while the other stands out.
For those looking to break the mold, consider belting a blazer for that street style vibe that screams ‘I know fashion’. Remember, the key to a successful belt outfit is creating that coveted hourglass shape, regardless of whether you’re cinching a dress or a blazer. And for the love of style, let’s not stick skinny belts on jeans; ensure the belt’s width matches the belt loops for a look that’s proportionally pleasing.
Product on Amazon: JASGOOD Women’s Leather Belts for Jeans Pants Fashion Ladies Belt with Gold Buckle
Price: $19.99
Rating: 4.4 with 1,537 ratings
Brand: JASGOOD
Wondering how to take your belt game from good to great? It’s all in the details. Whether it is swapping that flimsy fabric belt that came with your dress for a chunkier, more textured option or adding a metallic belt to make a casual outfit, the right belt can elevate your look quickly. And for those bold enough, styling a belt over jackets, blazers, and even sweaters adds an amazing twist to oversized outfits and can help display your waist in a very appealing play of proportions.
Though a tiny component, the belt is literally what holds together-or not-the potential to transform your outfit, bring forth your figure, and speak volumes about yourself. So, whether you’re a clockwise woman, a counterclockwise man, or a ratchet-belt revolutionary, remember: life’s too short for boring belts. Experiment, have fun, and maybe-just maybe-give that belt over a blazer look a try. Who knows? You might just start a new trend.
Related posts:
Which Way To Wear A Belt: WHY IT MATTERS FOR FINDING THE PERFECT BELT
The Right and Wrong Way to Wear a Belt (and Not Ruin Your Outfit)
How To Style A Belt
