"Belt bump" under tops

katiwei

I've always worn a basic belt with my pants because it just feels like it keeps them up and in the right place -- secure. However, now that I'm paying more attention to my appearance, I've noticed that the buckle of the belt tends to create this bump underneath my tops (which are all form-fitting rather than full).

Is this a fashion mistake? If so, how do I get away from always wearing a belt?

17 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from katiwei

Violet

Active Member

Is it possible that maybe the pants are too big? I have found with most of my pants, if they fit will they remain in the right place on my waist without a belt. Also, it may be that the rise of the pants is too low. If you wants to sit higher on your waist a different rise might work better for you.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Hmm, I basically never wear a belt with pants, unless it's a higher-waisted pair with a tucked-in top so the belt is really only there as an accessory. I second Violet, your pants might be a bit too big. Or maybe they are just big at the waist, in which case bringing them to a tailor to take them in would solve the issue.

17 years ago

katiwei

Active Member

No... it's likely that I just need to suck it up an spend $20/pair to get the waist taken in in the back. I'm definitely an hourglass and have that larger difference in hip-to-waist ratio that pants rarely fit -- hips fit great = a gap of some kind in the waist back. I just don't know if that will work well enough to have me feel comfortable not wearing a belt...

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I know what you mean, I have a big hip/waist ratio myself, and end up having to take in the waist on about 80% of my pants. I would start with one pair first, and see how you like the results.

17 years ago

katiwei

Active Member

Darn, I was afraid that might be the answer. It's so much more simple to just wear a belt.

Tanya: I know this might vary by location, but does $20 sound reasonable for this tailoring job? I went to one woman who quoted me *$60* a pair, which sounded high to me, but perhaps this tailor who does it for $20 isn't charging enough (possibly because of lacking skills).

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I also pay $20 for waist alteration, it is a relatively simple one for them. I live in a pretty big city ( Boston). $60 sounds outrageous, unless the pants have some super complicated cut ot intricate detailing or something.

17 years ago

katiwei

Active Member

I believe Boston's bigger than my city (Milwaukee), but it's still a large metropolitan area, so I'd say that price would be comparable. Her reasoning was that she "does it right" by removing the entire waistband, etc. She also charges $30 for a plain (non-lined, no cuff) hem. I also thought that was crazy.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

That does sound a bit much. For hemming, I currently pay $15 for regular ones, and $20 if it is hemming the jeans with the original hem which is more complicated. I used to go to different and more expensive tailor in the past ( considered the best and the most expensive in the area) and he charged $20 and $25 for those hemming jobs respectively. So I'd say your lady is definitely on the expensive side.

17 years ago

katiwei

Active Member

Alright, good to know. I do my own hems so I save money there that I guess I can put into getting my waists altered! Thanks for the advice.

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

portgirl - thanks for posting this question! I have this same problem. For work I used to wear pants with tops tucked in, and a blazer, so maybe this is just an old habit for me. With jeans, I automatically reach for a belt, even when I'm wearing a longer top not tucked, as Angie prefers. In reading this thread, I realize that it's probably the hourglass issue. I've practically given up trying to find jeans that fit properly. I'll have to ask my seamstress how much she charges to alter the waistband.

17 years ago

Telly

Active Member

I like Isabelt --- http://www.isabelt.com

Its comfortable and no worries about the bump.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

When I was in National Jeans Company today, I noticed they were selling a belt that is supposed to not create a bump. It's clear, and has no buckle. Unfortunately, I forget the name of the product!! Maybe it's on their site?

This is not usually my problem (my tummy bulges hold up my waist band just fine - no belt required!), but I did think "wow that's a clever idea."

17 years ago

katiwei

Active Member

Telly, that's great! And shiny, I think this is the one you must have seen: http://www.invisibelt.com/default.aspx. The site says it's sold at National Jeans Company.

I had no idea that a product like this existed!

Tarzy, I too automatically reach for a belt. Well, until a few months ago when I started to notice the "bump"! It's even worse on days when I'm bloated, as you can imagine. :/

17 years ago

Category