5 Ways To Style A Belt And My Best Secrets For A Slim Looking Waist!

If you’re looking for that one new accessory to spice up your fall/winter wardrobe this season, you should consider a belt! Belts can transform an outfit and instantly elevate your look while also creating an hourglass shape, defining your mid-section, and making your waist look slimmer. With the popularity of high-rise pants, jeans, and skirts, belts are definitely having a moment. There are several beautiful options you can try AND ways you can wear that belt to get the most bang for your buck!

Belt Basics

Let’s start with the basics. There are two ways you can wear a belt. One is at the natural waist near your belly button. This is a waist belt.
The second way to wear your belt is around your hips to tie your look together. This is a hipster.
Thanks to this handy gadget, you can easily add a hole to your hipster belt and it can then serve double duty as a waist belt! And, if you invest in a reversible belt with two neutral colors like black and brown, you can create four looks with the SAME belt. I love my reversible Valentino belt. It is a little pricey but it’s definitely worth an investment when I consider cost-per-wear. But, there are some great affordable options out there as well.

What’s the best belt for your body shape? Be sure to watch this video for determining the belt width that will work best for you…it’s an oldie, but a goodie.

5 Ways To Style A Belt

Now let’ talk about my five favorite ways to wear your waist belt and/or hipster belt.

1) With A Dress

Adding a waist belt over your dress looks elegant and feminine but it also creates definition and tricks the eye to cheat in the waist a bit. Note: if your tummy is your problem area, avoid this, as you don’t want to draw attention to the waist.

 2) Over A Sweater

Specifically a cardigan! This option is underutilized. Adding a belt over a cardigan or oversized sweater can help add shape where there otherwise isn’t any.

3) With A Coat

For an elegant look, you can swap out the belt that your trench or coat came with and add your own higher-end version. This adds a stylish touch, looks more expensive, and really elevates the look.

4) Over A Blanket Scarf

This not only creates that coveted hourglass shape but also keeps the scarf in place so it doesn’t slip off your shoulders.

5) Hipster Belt In The Loops

To highlight the belt, tuck (or half-tuck) in your top, tank, cami, or t-shirt.

Secrets For A Slim Looking Waist

Belts really are an excellent way to create a slim-looking waist…but I have a few other tricks up my sleeve that you need to know…

High-Rise EVERYTHING

High-waisted shorts, skirts, culottes, pants, and jeans will not only make your legs look a mile long, which I talk about in this video. But, they also help define a waist. Fitting above the belly area, the high-rise accentuates a slimmer part of your waist, therefore, making you look thinner!

Tuck In!

When you half-tuck or tuck in your blouse or top to those high-waisted jeans, you’ll not only highlight your belt, but you’ll also create a shape be defining the waist area.  This works well when you add a skimming blazer or jacket over your top. Especially one that naturally nips in at the waist.

Smocked Or Cinched Waist

This one can be tricky but wearing a blouse or dress with smocking or cinching can also create the illusion of a slimmer waist while camouflaging any flaws.

Puff Sleeve

Wait, what? Yup, hear me out. By adding some broadness to your shoulders with a puff sleeve, you create a V-shape with your torso which will then make the waist appear slimmer and more narrow than the shoulders. This is especially important if you have a rectangle body shape like me.

What other questions do you have about belts? Ask away in the comments below!
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