Ask YLF - White Belt styling Q's Edit: Ask Angie too - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask YLF - White Belt styling Q's Edit: Ask Angie too

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I joined the white belt club recently but am having trouble styling it.
Can it be worn with faded denim successfully or is it better for darker
washes? It feels so stark and clean next to my faded blues.

And what about shoes and bag - I don't own either in white. Do I need
something else white to tie it together? I didn't take a pic but my
best try was darker BF shorts, pink tank semi-tucked, white drapey
summer jacket, white belt and my blue sandals. This seemed to work to
me because the pink of the tank and white of the jacket.

If I try the white belt without something else white, it seems to stand out so much.

I tried it with faded jeans, heather gray top and got stuck on shoes. I
guess the blue sandals or nude sandals would be okay but somehow it
felt off. Like I needed white sandals or shoes with white in them.

My handbags are all pretty dark in color - brown, python mix in dark tones, blue and cognac mix.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from ElleH

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Listening in eagerly. I just bought a wider white belt and suddenly felt the need for white sandals! I know I can wear it with my Pettys (in cooler weather) and my white Cons. But what else? It is a dilemma. I, too, feel the need to be wearing some white elsewhere.

Anonymous

I just went for it -- in my one kimono outfit, there is a bit of white in the print, but I wore black boots, and a red shirt. I think you can just let the white be an island, to be honest.

Although now that I have written that, I do have white glasses, so maybe I get an out there

shedev

Veteran

I'm wearing a white belt today with winter white jeans. I ended up not tucking so it's not seen but I would wear with a tuck or with white shirts. I had white Birkis but the footbed hardened up and they became uncomfortable to wear.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Suz -exactly - I found myself already shopping white sandals and then stopped myself to ask here. Ceit, I think your white glasses help bookend the belt as does the touch of white in the kimono.

Maybe the trick IS to wear other white in the outfit. Just having the pop of white on the belt all alone seems off to me. I have similar style issues with my red belt, though I do have red sandals (well, at least now I do - lol).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think bits of white or light (as in a print, or Ceit's glasses) can work. So maybe it doesn't have to be footwear. But I'm seriously in the market, LOL! Tried on a pair yesterday and didn't buy because they hurt badly. If they hadn't, I think I'd have brought them home.

Scarlet

Veteran

I definitely don't always wear another white item, but I do tend to lighten up. I like the way it looks with distressed or faded denim. I think the white just takes a little getting used to. I think I felt like you in the beginning, but after a year I throw it on willy nilly.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Yes, adjusting the eye is probably part of it Scarlet. I agree that lighter colors should make the white of the belt less bright. I tried the white belt early today with faded jeans and a heather gray top but it just felt a little off when I went for shoes and bag. I may need a lighter bag for summer instead of lighter shoes to help make it all feel right.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I think a tad of white in a pattern is enough to make it work. Or let it be a stand alone piece. I do see the need for bookending, though, but I think it is only a matter of adjusting the eye.

Mona

Veteran

I hear you. I was having the same problem with my white belt. But then I bought white cons and they seem to work fine.

Anonymous

I just bought a white belt yesterday! I was planning on wearing it with my white clams or with my faded jeans and a white shirt to start. I'm still not sure if it's really me, but we'll find out!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Claire, welcome to the white belt club. I think with white jeans/pants it's easier because it doesn't stand out. I will def. do this but it's styling with other color pants and tops that I was having some trouble. I feel like if I *have* to buy white shoes or a white bag or other then maybe it's not the right choice of belt, unless I really want other white items. In my lifestyle white shoes/handbags are not the best option.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

When I wear my white belt (which has only been a few times as it is new), I have also had white somewhere else - sometimes only a little bit, like the tips of my cons. I don't think you have to go all out matchy-match, but a little white or light color somewhere else would be good.

Sara L.

Veteran

I feel like I need to wear white in my outfits with a white belt also. Either in the print or my shoes. I've been shopping for white shoes this spring because I have a white blazer that I also feel like needs some white somewhere else in the outfit.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I keep hoping Angie or Inge will chime in with some examples. I know they have a few but not so many that I feel comfortable yet with my own choices. How to Style a White Belt or Bright Belt for that matter, seems to have some questions.

Ginkgo

Veteran

Thank you for bringing this up, as I just bought a white belt last week and when I tried it on at home it seemed off to me also, but then I usually don't wear white. I looked at Diane's post again, "from yuk to fab", where she had added a white belt and shoes, and I noticed that her green tee had very small white polka dots which seemed to balance out the look. I'm now online shopping like mad to find a couple of tops with some (not too much) white in them.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A white belt will work with anything as long as you bookend it in some way. I always have a little white going on somewhere else in the outfit.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

LOL - I spent an hour looking for white sandals online. I am convinced now that I need some. And guess what? The ones I can find are ugly and/ or I already know they won't/ don't fit me or are uncomfortable.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great advice. I have been wearing mine with my very faded jeans and shorts - I like the crispness next to the fade!

Eliza

Veteran

Suz- I need white sandals also. So far no luck. So many sandals are too wide and flat for my foot this summer and those that have some support have been dated to my eye. It doesn't help to have fussy feet, creating very limited on-line shopping confidence. I know you don't like super flat either; may the force be with you.

I think with white items in general, but particularly accessories, things can easily read dated, frumpy, hospital gear, etc. Still no luck with a white satchel either, but I remain patient and unwilling to settle. I love wearing white and it has been interesting to me that it can take an extra bit of effort to find the pieces that work.

Appreciate this discussion.

Carla

Veteran

Wearing the white belt with my white Riekers shoes, or the white jean jacket that is getting so much love this summer.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the input. I hear Suz and Eliza on the white sandal thing being sort of frumpy if not selected just right. I found the same thing - but really just didn't want to invest in another pair of sandals for the summer just because of a new belt.

It's weird Sara L, but my white summer blazer didn't make me feel like I needed to add white to my outfits last year. Not sure why the belt feels different. My white one is very casual, slub cotton and drapey so it could be a style difference compared to a crisp white blazer.

I think I *might* invest in a new summer bag (already on my list) that is as close to my tan/blonde hair color as possible so that the bag itself doesn't add another color to my summer outfits. But I am more on team neutral so that's not necessarily the thing for everyone.

I actually find that colored bags hinder some of my outfit selections when I want to wear a different color belt or shoes so I feel like (for me) neutral bags are a good thing. Of course everyone has their own neutrals.

Today I tried the white belt with the heather gray top (has white/gray blended mix), faded denim jeans rolled up, faded denim colored sandals (my "blue suede" sandals) and a handbag that is a faded denim and cognac trim color. Haven't had a chance to snap a pic but this actually seemed to work with the focus being on the belt.

I feel like the white or other bright belt can be a highlight as long as there are hints of white or the same bright elsewhere and not too many other colors used in the outfit.

In my case, faded denim blue with some white streaks, heather gray with white flecks, white belt and just a touch of cognac on the handbag kept the color palette minimal.

ElleH

Veteran

I don't think you need white shoes or bag to go with the belt. Something else white isn't necessary either but would work, like in your clothing.