How to wear belts?

Nicole

Ok I have a few belt quetions. I have this really funky silver metal chain link belt. I've worn it over tunics and black dresses and let it sling low on my hip. But I wonder if I can wear this kind of belt with dress slacks, thru belt loops, with the excess chain hanging down?

Also, do you ladies wear belts with your trousers and cords and jeans? Do you only do so when your tucking your shirt in? I always feel finished when I'm wearing a belt and feel like something is missing if I don't have one on.

Personally, I think it looks best when the belt width matches the loop width... (a skinny belt looks lost in a wide belt loop). And I like it when a casual knit top gets semi tucked in the front so the belt buckle is noticed.

18 years ago

Dressing

4 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

1. You can wear a chain belt over dress pants but preferably one without belt loops. Sling it low and let the excess chain hang down as you've suggested.

2. I don't wear belts on my pants and seldom advocate it for my clients because of longer length tops that one wears over jeans and pants. Belts cause extra bulk with this look. I do advocate wearing waist cinching belts (both wide and skinny) over knitted tops, dresses, blouses and jackets, but not through belt loops. The "tucked in top look" with belts threaded through belt loops is not in vogue at the moment. It's more about the belt over a top.

3. I agree that belt widths should match belt loop widths. I'm not fond of the half tucked in top look though.

18 years ago

Kit

(website)

Active Member

I don't know about the chain link belt- I only wear mine over things. However, I almost always wear a belt with jeans and cords and I NEVER tuck anything in. One reason I wear belts is because I have such a long torso my shirts only cover the top of my pants if my arms are down. If I reach out or up, the top shows, and since my waist is about 4 sizes smaller than my hips, it just looks weird. Another reason is to keep my jeans from revealing what's underneath. My jeans/cords always slide down a little due to the big gapping waist, and without a belt, I risk exposure. I try to get belts that are interesting but not overstated.

18 years ago

pmhenson

Active Member

I've really been wanting to wear the waist cinching style you suggest, but I find I have logistical issues. One-- most belts are too large and have a long piece pulled through since I guess they are designed to fit over pants lower down on hips. (Can you get belts altered?) Two-- I always have a hard time placing the belt with respect to the pants. Either the belt should go over the pants but then it slides off or the waist of the pants provides bulk below the belt under the top. Lastly, what about pants without belt loops or belts that are wider than belt loops that you do want to wear over the waist of the pants-- is there a trick to keep them from sliding off the pants?

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

1. I have the same issue with the waist cinching belt being too large. It's been hard work trying to find a few that fit. However, a trip to your shoe repair bloke will do the trick. They are often able to shorten belts - try it. You can alter belts.

2. the belt needs to sit on your natural waist. Low slung belts don’t stay where they should and you end up plucking at them all day.

3. Unfortunately, I can't think of any trick to prevent this from happening!

Pmhenson, you should have no trouble getting the right length of top for your long torso. Tops have been longer and extra long for 18 months. Also, sounds like you need to have the waistband on your pants and jeans altered so that you don’t have a gapping waist. I do this to all of my pants. It’s worth every penny.

18 years ago

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