Belt Questions

Fun50's

Can anyone offer some advice on belts? Now that everyone is faux tucking their shirts it seems like there would be more selection of belts. When I shop I can't find anything. First, how do you decide which size to buy(especially if purchasing online)? Second, what is the best width of belt for jeans? And finally, has anyone bought a cognac colored belt that you like? Thanks!

11 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from pastrygirl

Anonymous

I have bought separate, longer belts for wearing with jeans because the rise does not come near my waist. I get them wide enough to fit and look ok in the belt loops ( not skinny belts). Getting started I'd look for black, cognac or taffy, white or ivory, and leopard. I also wear metallic belts a lot but wear metallic shoes and bags quite a bit too. Look at Angie's picks for ideas. Clearance sales at department stores or belts at Target are places to look.

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I'm with you on not knowing which size to buy if purchasing online. All I could suggest is to go to a large dept. store and try on many brands of belts (Calvin Klein, Fossil, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, etc.) so that you know what your sizing tends to be in each brand. If you're always, say, a medium in all the brands, then it's probably a safe bet to order a medium in any brand. But it is tough. I wish more retailers would put measurements on their websites.

Generally, I like wider belts for using with jeans, and I like skinnier belts for putting over skirts. I like my belts to be about 1" to 1.25" wide. I recently tried a 1.5" wide belt but though it was too wide for me. I have a small frame but high hips, and it really visually overwhelmed me. If you are able, I would go into a large dept. store and try on lots of different widths and see which widths are most flattering. Sometimes it depends a lot on your body shape and frame size. I will also say that I have found that if the belt has a perforated pattern or has some kind of a design on it, it can help "lighten it up" so that it doesn't overwhelm you.

11 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Fun50's - it's easier to pick sizes when they mark them in inches. They usually recommend selecting a belt 2" bigger than your measurement in that area. Then you have to hope if it's sm, med. lrg that they give a size directory online. Belts should sit on the middle hole but that's just a general guideline. I'm a belt girl and I've been all over the internet. The major dept stores have a good selection of plain belts. Medium width 1/5-2" is what you usually would wear with pants/jeans. Zappos has a large selection, if you want a speciality item I would put it into a search engine. Special occasion suziroher.com has really nice pieces. Major dept stores nordies, bloomingdales, saks, nm carry nice belts, you can find reasonable and fashionable ones at macy's and lord & taylor. Don't overlook jcrew, ann taylor, talbots..etc But if you are looking for something different or "stunning" I do best with measurements and online. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fo.....ersonalize http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fo.....nalizedsor Nordies seems to have a bunch and fossil seems to have a good selection. Not sure what you style is but hope that helps!

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11 years ago

greycat6

Veteran

Good advice given above. My only additional comment would be that when in doubt, buy a larger size. It is an easy fix for a cobbler to shorten the belt. The alteration is done by removing the buckle and cutting the belt shorter and then replacing the buckle. Good luck!

11 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I wish I had an answer to your question. I'm on the hunt for a certain kind of belt myself, and it's proving hard to find. Stores are full of ugly, cheap belts. Where are all the nice quality leather ones with simple buckles?

I can answer your questions about size though, or at least give my own opinion. With jeans, I think a 1.5" to 2" width looks best. For length, I usually buy a 32" or 34" belt, because it's got to sit across my hips, not my waist. (For reference, my hips are 34").

11 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I prefer 1.5" to 2" width belts with my jeans to more or less fill the belt loops. Unfortunately, that can be a hard length to find. Also, the size I need depends upon whether the jeans are mid-rise or slung/worn low. Even the last hole on the mid-rise belts doesn't work quite right for my one pair of low-rise jeans since the latter sits fairly high in back so I need a longer belt than one might think. I bought my outlier cognac leather belt at Target for a great price.

11 years ago

Fun50's

Active Member

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I think I will go to a department store and try on some belts before I search around on the Internet. It was especially helpful to hear your thoughts on widths. If I find anything I will share.

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Don't forget that your size may vary based on how you're wearing the belt (around the hips vs around the waist). Might be worth checking how the belts fit at both points of the body.

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Seconding that a belt at the waist can require a different size than one at the hips. To Az's question, Where are all the nice quality leather ones with simple buckles? The answer for me (at my budget) is thrifted and/or in the menswear department. Vintage clothing stores have plenty of cognac and saddle colored belts in my experience, especially if you are willing to go a little RATE.

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Rabbit beat me to the answer to AZ's question about where the nice, simple leather belts are. They're in the menswear department for sure! Shopping the women's accessories area for belts can sometimes be a little frustrating if you're looking for something of average width and very simple.

11 years ago

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I love belts and have an entire drawer full. I usually buy mine at TJMaxx and try to wear the clothing that I want the belt for. I usually only buy real leather belts. I agree that sometimes, the men's section has a better selection!

For something a little different, a few of us have tried out the Hipsi belt that viva recommended a couple of weeks ago. I'm waiting for an exchange of a smaller size, but even the bigger size was plenty adjustable enough for me at my hips; I just wanted one belt that I can wear at my waist and at my hips (in leather belts, those are two completely different sizes).

I think the Hipsi just might be my perfect belt, because it doesn't feel like a belt! I don't feel it at all. It doesn't press into my hip bones, it doesn't adjust too tight or too loose, it doesn't stick out in the back when I sit. I don't feel the need to loosen it when I'm driving. I also think it's a GREAT choice for when you just want something decorative but don't necessarily need to hold up your pants, because it's barely there, if that makes sense! But it also does work for holding up pants/jeans. I have a few pairs that are too big or ride down, and this belt has taken care of that problem completely. I'm amazed! But... it's a stretchy belt, so it's not leather.

11 years ago

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