A new reason to dislike belting

anne

I had this realisation after reading Elisabeth's post on belting making an unflattering line.
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ntal-lines

I have a very deep rib cage and torso ( I look nearly as deep from the side as from the front)
and a belt really highlights that.

BTW I know the solution to this is to wear an open jacket over a belt, and I can do this in my winter weather right now (if I can bring myself to unbutton a jacket at all) but for a lot of the year the temperature varies over the course of a day, and I wouldn't like to be restricted to keeping my jacket on for the whole day.

12 years ago

Body Type

13 replies

Latest reply was from anne

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I just posted on Elisabeth's thread but I find that a semi tuck solves my high hip belt issues, when the belt is light.

Yes the open jacket is a good solution as well.

I like the way rectangles look when their waist is defined. To me it just shows off their enviable small hips. I would think you'd look cute with your waist defined Anne.

I haven't worn a waist belt in such a long time that I don't remember where my waist is.

12 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks Denise. I do look okay from the front! Is is the side view I worry about!

12 years ago

Anonymous

How do you feel about a low, hip slung belt? Does that work at all for you. With those slim hips, it would look amazing if it was fairly low contrast (and didn't make your legs look short).

12 years ago

Anonymous

What about belting a shirt inside of an open jacket or cardigan? You get the look of waist definition.....would that work? I'm short waisted/high hips/large bust and ribcage, and I have yet to find a flattering way to wear belts...

12 years ago

anne

Veteran

Claire, I love hip belts on others but can't seem to get it to work on me. And yes, there is the whole short legs/ long torso dynamic going on (I am 5"4 and my insearm is 29 - I think I have the proportionately shortest legs on YLF!)

12 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Anne, I think we are twins! At least on the height and torso/legs proportion. My blond hair is 100% fake though.

12 years ago

Keix

Veteran

Anne, I am 5'2 1/2" with a 28.5" inseam, which I've always considered crazily short (legs, not height)... you've got me beat, though! I have the same problem with hip belts--in theory they should work, but in practice I can never figure out exactly how to arrange them.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Anne and Cinnamon - WE'RE TRIPLETS!! Same height and inseam. And fake... rather...."ENHANCED" blonde here...

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

LOL...I think I am pretty close on the legs/torso, Anne. My measuring tape is broken so I would have to check.

My hair is also "enhanced."

A belt that sits on your natural waist in back but points a bit lower in front can work well. Angie suggested this to me. One way I achieve it is to take a thin belt that would normally go on my hips (through jean loops, for instance) and belt at the waist, TYING the belt instead of trying to fasten it. Rae sometimes does this and it looks great on her!

12 years ago

anne

Veteran

Hi To Fern and Shabbychick, my vertical proportions trips!!

Suz, I currently own only 2 belts, both elasticated and only fitting at the waist (and pretty tight at that). Possibly need to expand my belt collection!

12 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Nodding to what Suz says. These days I often position my belt so the front part is a little lower than the back. It seems to elongate my torso a bit.

I'm on the lookout for a chain-type belt that fastens into a v-shape at the front, and a bit of the chain hangs down. I know that a v-shape is elongating at my neckline, so I imagine that a v-shaped belt would be similarly elongating for my torso. Also, the bit hanging down creates a vertical line -- never a bad thing!

12 years ago

Clarissa

Active Member

Hmm. I am an hourglass and I think belts help to keep from losing my shape in baggy clothes, but body type does make a difference. I feel like wider belts are better than really skinny belts on me though (I think I'm kind of long waisted). I don't think belts really improve much unless something is too big on the waist, and often times I just deal with it. Also, usually, if my waist is already defined in an outfit it will look better without a belt.

12 years ago

anne

Veteran

Elisabeth - I like the idea of your chain belt (on you anyway!)

Clarissa, you raise some interesting points, I am all for defining my waist and not losing with baggy layers too. It is belting itself that I find difficult. I agree with you that
"usually, if my waist is already defined in an outfit it will look better without a belt."

I have thought about this a bit further and decided that since I don't mind self ties - I have one on my trench and a jacket I wear a lot, the issue is probably having a belt that is a contrast. And since my belts are red and black a contrast is fairly likely.

BTW I agree with Clarissa that on me, wider belts are better. I can't go too wide (perhaps because I am shortish) but around 2 inches is good. Skinny ones look terrible!

12 years ago

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