Cinch Your Outfit Together This Fall with this Underrated Accessory
Written, Artistic Directing, & Styling By Daisy McDonald
Photographed By Rishita Nannapaneni
Modeled By Daisy McDonald, Alexis Stutte, Jona Harders, & Aphrodite Reilly
Last year, the Diesel belt skirt debuted in the Milan FW Runway Show Collection, sparking controversy on social media about its practicality and nearly un-wearable design. But, as Paris Hilton famously said, “Skirts should be the size of belts.” As the pendulum swings from the 2010’s high-waisted movement to the low-rise silhouettes of the late 90s and early 2000s, micro mini skirts and low-rise pants are circling back into fashion. Statement belts have also made a major appearance on the 2023 runways. Accentuating your waist and hips has been a common theme in contemporary fashion this year. As cool autumn weather rolls around, summer styles morph into fall fashion. This season, don’t let accessories be an afterthought, add a belt to your ensemble to emphasize your waist and tie your whole outfit together!
It’s quite easy to incorporate belts into your everyday wear. They can be worn with jeans, on top of skirts, cinched over dresses or loose shirts, and even over pants without belt loops. Simple leather belts are a great place to start, but belt trends this season incorporate a whole range of styles including fringe, metals, dangles, and more.
Western-inspired attire has been a focal point in the summer of 2023, making staples like cowboy boots and leather commonplace in versatile wardrobes across the globe. Big, bold, Western belt buckles have worked their way into everyday fashion too. These ornate belts add a pop of metallic shine to your waist for a cowboy-chic look!
If you’re craving contrast in your outfit, chunky metal or colored belts are an excellent option. They can add fun textures, funky prints, or an accent of color to refresh a simple ensemble. Even tying a scarf around your waist is a simple but effective addition to an outfit. Try coordinating them with another accessory such as a handbag or earrings for a cohesive look.
Corset styles have been making their way back into fashion since late 2021. Another take on this trend is corset belts. Wide corset belts can break up a monochrome color scheme with contrast or cinch oversized garments like dresses or shirts.
Body jewelry has also been trending lately. African and Indian cultures have incorporated belly chains as accessories or ornaments as a part of cultural and religious practices for thousands of years. They have just recently gained popularity in Western fashion. Belly chains are a fresh take on belts and a fun way to add more jewelry to your wardrobe. They come in all sorts of styles and can be made from beads, jewels, stones, chains, strings, ropes, and much more, easily catering to various aesthetics.
A lot of different accessories and items can be used as belts, so don’t feel limited to just wearing “real” belts. Get creative! Overall, it is clear that wearing belts can be modified to everyone’s tastes. There are plenty of ways a belt can spice up your outfit. During this season, consider giving some a try!