Belts...ARGH. - YouLookFab Forum

I need some kind of hard-and-fast rules on belt wearing, if there are any. I'm a petite inverted triangle with a big-ish bust (38C, but it looks bigger on my small frame) and a short waist. I love the look of belts on others but I'm aggravated with trying them on myself.

I had read that the short-waisted should avoid wide belts and belts on the natural waist, and instead go for skinny belts down over the hips. But when I try that, I feel like it looks weird, and that belts up on my natural waist look better. Am I deluding myself?

A few pictures of different belt styles as an example:

A wide belt on a sweater dress, a bit lower down - this is the kind that's not supposed to work on me.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GkbfDyw7.....G_2950.JPG

A skinny belt over a cardigan, on the hips. Later on I moved the belt up to my natural waist and I thought it looked better...see here how it's making the cardigan do that weird peplum-y thing below the belt?
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GkbfDyw7.....G_2953.JPG

A skinny belt at my natural waist:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GkbfDyw7.....G_2767.JPG

Help me out! Also, my husband is making me self conscious about it because he apparently hates all belts on me. He says they make me look short.

16 years ago

garmenta

Active Member

You're seeing just fine. The skinny belt at your natural waist is the best look of the three, IMO.

Debora

Veteran

I like the skinny belt at your natural waist the best, also. It's a great look for you!

rute

you can wear a skinny belt or even a larger one but both on your natural waist

Tricia

OK, thanks for verifying that I'm not seeing wrong. I do like the thinner belts better, but on the natural waist. Why is it that short-waisted women are told not to use the natural waist? Am I actually short-waisted, even?

Louise

I like the last picture the best but they all look pretty good to me x

Kristine

I think they all look good. I agree that belts look best at your natural waist. If the cardigan is bugging you, you could try buttoning a few of the buttons. My husband isn't super keen on my belts either, but he likes them if they're a bit edgy or punky (red or black, studs, grommets, etc.).

medusa

I agree that you should wear the belts at your natural waist. But they look good! Please don't be discouraged. And please ignore your husband (just for a moment, just on this issue!) because I think he's not used to the look.

I'm short waisted and have a straight frame as well and it took me a long time to get comfortable with belts, but I've started trying them in the last month or so and the response has been good. So congrats for experimenting!

RoseandJoan

The third look works best for me also, I think this is why dressing is an art rather than a science. Not all of the rules work for all of the people. Maybe Angie will be able to shed some light on this.

malcontent

I think a belt at the natural waist is best. It makes your waist look smaller and your legs look longer. I only wear belts at my natural waistline. If it sits too close to my hips or ribs the look becomes unflattering.

anne

I too agree with the natural waist. I don't think you are particularly short waisted either!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Must hitch belt up high on natural waist! It makes you look MUCH taller and slimmer. Elongates the leg line chop-chop. Refrain from low slung belt styles.

When did you last have a bra fitting,Tricia? I'd put my head on a block that you are not a 38C. You look like a 34D or 34DD.

Maya

What Angie says. I'm positive you're not a 38C. At least a 34. Maybe even a 32.

It's been a while, actually, because I had a baby last year. I had it done and bought all new bras when my first was about a year old, but then I got pregnant again a few months after that. I weaned DD2 around Thanksgiving, and I wanted to wait a couple of months for things to settle down and then go get fit again. I'm visiting my family next week and should have some Christmas money and plenty of time - I'll go then.

Thanks Angie and everyone! Angie, do you agree that I'm short waisted, or no?

Queen Mum

Tricia, the first belt works for me because it is the same color as the dress. You probably couldn't pull that wide of a belt off with a contrasting color. but the way you have it is nice.
The third belt works for me because, 1- you are wearing it a bit higher, and 2- it is designed as an ornamental belt.
the second one does on you as it would on me over that sweater- just bunches and makes the sweater look all wrong. I"m wondering if part of it has to do with the cut of the sweater- more fabric for the belt to have to reign in so it bunches it more than in the third one? Am I making even a speck of sense here?

shana

Of the three looks, I like number 3 the best - at your natural waist. My guess is that a wider belt, even at the natural waist, might not be as flattering as the thinner one but maybe you can give it a try and see how it turns out.

Tricia, I'm a similar body type - petite, inverted triangle and honestly, I don't really like the way belts look on my undefined (short) waist. I am usually trying to visually lengthen my torso so why would I want to cut it off with a belt?

Oh, you might just want to get one or two bras for now. I've read (and it's been my own experience) that it can take a good 6 months after stopping nursing before your size settles.

Tricia, you don't look short-waisted actually - just petite.

My husband isn't that keen on belts (on me) either!

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