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Belts

Staysfit

Veteran

I have a love hate relationship with belts......mostly hate.....

I recently counted and discovered that I have 24 belts! I have saved them thinking I will use them, but don’t. When it’s fashionable, I do not belt jackets or cardigans with a contrasting belt. I do not love the way belted toppers look on my frame. The horizontal line of the belt breaks my vertical line in what to my eye seems an awkward fashion. I look stumpy and wide, instead of svelte...which seems paradoxical since I am long and lean and have a waist despite having a rectangular frame. I dislike belting my dresses unless the belt is exactly the same color as the dress for the same reason above.

I wear belts to secure mid rise trousers but find higher rises have less tendency to slide south....even so, I often wear one of the flat buckle no show belts out of habit. I do not prefer to tuck tops into my jeans/trousers, and when I do, I do not like a high contrast belt unless I have a topper to re-establish a more dominant vertical line. Although I have a large collection, I am only wearing my navy, black, silver, red and leopard print belts. The rest are collecting dust.

I think it’s time to donate the majority of my belts, although I have two wide belts, which I am tempted to keep even though I rarely if ever wear them. One is the perfect berry red with a silver buckle and the other is a light teal with a pearl tone buckle.

How do you use belts? Do you like them? Struggle with them?

General

35 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Star

Veteran

I also don't like belts on me although I have quite a few. My most worn is a narrow leopard print 'calf skin' belt. I use it for keeping up pants or skirts that are a bit big. I say keep those two belts you mention as they sound unique and special, and 2 belts don't take up space.

Anonymous

I've tried with belts, but I'm short waisted and the only ones that work consistently are chain style and worn at hip. I've worn them with too loose pants during size changes, but they're an extra step in the loo. I've worn wider ones over dresses, but they crunch up when I sit. Over a cardi just makes me look heavy because all the material poofs out at the hip. And in general they just feel constricting. So- I don't own any ATM.
ETA- realized I lied. I do have a belt that holds my quiver My neighbor gave it to me and it has a big badA silver buckle!

nemosmom

Veteran

Belts can be tricky for me, too. I have a long upper body, and belts can cut me in half unless I wear a long topper over. I have found that a belt only works over a topper when I have volume or a focal point on my top half. For me, it's my hair, a hat, or a scarf. It would probably work with large, statementy earrings or necklace, but I do not wear those. If my hair is pulled back/up, I do not wear a belt over anything. I prefer wider belts (belt-loop width or wider) - I can't seem to make a skinny belt work at all.

RobinF

Veteran

I hate belts, for many of the same reasons that you listed - although I am not long and lean - haha! I don't like them visually on me since I am short and don't need anything that cuts me in half, and I don't like how constricting they are on my waist. I have a thing about that - can't do waist constriction. I only have a few skinny belts to hold up my pants when necessary.

Vildy

Veteran

I've severely pared down the number of belts I own and am thinking of going a lot further. I just don't like a cinched look. What I've been thinking of is soft, supple belts like a suede or leather sash or matching a dress or jacket in self-fabric. I have something of the high hip figure with flatter sides so I like to rest the belting a bit lower than my actual waist and leave it softly tied. For me, this indicates shapeliness and allows the fabric to fall against the body from time to time and that's enough.

Bijou

Veteran

I wear belts and will often wear them on dresses, which are usually sheath dresses, but I also belt an oversized blazer for a very 1980's look. That said, if you don't like wearing belts, you should part ways with some of your belts. I only have a few belts that I like to wear and don't want or need a large collection.
In Finds is a dress, belt and shoe combination that is a bit of a fall back outfit for me.

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SarahD8

Veteran

I have tried, and I have tried, but belts simply do not work for me. My torso is short and thick, and I find that belts emphasize my lack of waist rather than creating the illusion of one. As far as holding my pants up, there is a spot on my torso where pants “want” to sit and anything with a higher rise will migrate down to that spot. Using a belt to keep such pants up would be uncomfortable (digs into my diaphragm when sitting) and create bulk exactly where I don’t want it.

The upshot: I do not own a single belt, haven’t worn one in years, and don’t miss them! My advice is to select those belts that enable you to create the specific looks that you mention in your original post, and pass along the rest.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Staysfit, makes perfect sense. You are right to pass on most and keep a few.

I used to wear belts a LOT. Now that I wear high rises, I don't. But I continue to tuck and semi-tuck. My outfits are also maximal and very colourful. Belts are too much of a good thing on this leg of my style journey. But I have kept a few faves:

BestWare Round Buckle Casual Belt Wide Leather Belt Women PU Leather Belt

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Medium Perfect Leather Belt

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Skinny metallic Italian leather belt

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anchie

Veteran

Keep the ones you love and wear. That’s what I did just recently- went down to a 6. I mostly wear them for the function, not the look, but if I wear them, I like that they match with the rest of outfit.

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Bonnie

Veteran

No belts in my closet at present. I tried them when I started YLF but they just didn't work for me so I donated them.

Synne

Veteran

I also don't like belts. As you say, they cut my proportions all wrong (I am a long, lean, rectangle). I use a belt purely for functional reasons, if I ever wear one.

slim cat

Veteran

I wear belts mostly for work. I like just a few of mine - flat buckle, leather, basic colors ( one - leopard print ). I used to turn the buckle to the side to avoid the whole thing sticking out too much ( under cardigans and sweaters ).

At some point XS size in belts disappeared at many retailers and left me with very long ones - frustration to no end ( I wanted something embroidered/special and shortening it was killing the look/design ).

Anonymous

I have that same love/hate thing going on. I love the idea of belts, and love how they look styled in a fashion editorial, but I find them incredibly hard to wear myself. I wore a belted leather shirt/jacket yesterday, with a "**** it " attitude, and actually got lots of compliments on it. Yes, it moved around, I had to keep adjusting it and the shirt, and it puffed and poufed probably unflatteringly from the side view, but there was only so much I could deal with yesterday

Style Fan

Veteran

I love belts. I usually wear them with jeans and pants. I find wearing belts with a blazer challenging, but I am willing to give it a go.
Right now, I have four belts for jeans and three wide belts. The wide ones don't see much action, but I am still keeping them.

unfrumped

Veteran

Perfect timing!
I don’t know how many belts I have/ had, but I’ve got more than 24! I love(d) belts and would collect them almost like scarves.

Very similar to your post, I have been analyzing what I truly like and will wear at this point, plus thinking a bit beyond pandemic- only so do not toss ones that actually work, but for “ occasions “ that may resume one day.

So I also like low- contrast belts mostly, either matching tgd pants or skirt or slight color, such as burgundy), animal or reptile ic not too bold. This is mostly because I’m long- torso snd pant rises are often not high even when supposed to be.
I prefer silver hardware, but the best is self- covered buckle, and as flat as possible.
I often do better with some contour, or softness; a hard wide leather won’t “ sit properly.
I actually do use belts to adjust waist fit in almost all “ real” pants and jeans, but often not for show. I will belt s dress if waistline is at natural waist. Like you, I don’t seem to belt over cardigans or jackets. I love the look in pic, but ultimately my frame doesn’t love it back.

Anyhow, I’m going through and weeding out wrong hardware, buckle too flashy or too bulky/prominent, leather too stiff.
Sizing is fraught as depends on pant rise, and having enough but not too much belt left over. But trying to identify :
a) too small no matter what
b) high- rise/ actual waist only
c) mid- rise longer lengths.
d) good for jeans ( shades of brown, some black, maybe more casual leather)
e) summer, travel, hiking materials

And then reviewing a bit more for what seem to be duplication.

Vildy

Veteran

LisaP brings up another minus: the shifting (and poofing) you can get with belting jackets. When my waist is free - even with an actual waistband, I feel so much more lithe and supple.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I think that if you don’t like them they should go.Belt wearing is not compulsory unless you need them to hold your trousers up!
l have read the comments and I seem to be the only rectangle who actually likes wearing a belt.ln fact I ve just bought another one to add to my collection .But then fashion would be boring if we all wore the same things wouldn’t it.

The Cat

Veteran

Oh, I like them--not necessarily with jeans and pants, but often with dresses and skirts, and I prefer soft (at least not very stiff) belts of medium width. At present, I have only four, and I would like to have some more.

DonnaF

Veteran

SF, I cannot imagine you looking stumpy and wide, but I will not question how you FEEL. I own a ton of belts that I wear with my jeans so they don’t slither down my pancake behind. They are no or low contrast since my legs are short. I have a few wide belts including ones made from obi fabric that I have been holding onto. I know if I pass them on styles will change and I will want them back. They don’t take up that much space anyway.

When I was young with a small waist in the ‘80s, I got used to belts and tucking. I still have a long trunk, but with age, more weight, fluff, and a thicker waist, I now mostly semi-tuck.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Just yesterday I dug out my belts and resorted and stored them. Yes, of course I own belts that I never wear. I narrowed it down to the best of the best and will keep them until one of my daughters/nieces/grand-nieces (or son/nephew/gran-nephew for that matter) claims them. I may wear them yet too!

Sal

Veteran

Interesting, I know how you feel because I often feel that way too. I suspect that you won't grow to love them more so I would only keep the ones that are practical now or particularly special.

I do wear belts with jeans and occasionally with other pants. I have one coat with a belt and a few dresses (and a jumpsuit) with tie belts. Because these are the same fabric as the dress they seem to work. I also added a belted shirt dress that I am yet to wear (not warm enough yet).

I have been looking for a new white belt for jeans for a while and haven't found one. My white belt with silver stars is showing a lot of wear. I love this brown woven leather belt that I bought last year for $2 but am yet to wear it. It is probably too wide for me.

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Joy

Veteran

I have liked belts in the past, but am ready to get rid of most of mine. Like. Rooklyn, I used to love them with sheath dresses, but could no longer do back zippers on a sheath dress, so they have been edited out. With jeans .well jeans are no longer part of my wardrobe either unless my glucose meter is just at the right place, then a. very few will work. Elf’s tend to interfere with the glucose meter so be painful. I need to get rid of them and wear tunics and shift dresses

Vildy

Veteran

Thanks Angie, Staysfit and everyone. I pare down belts periodically and felt another purge coming on. The advice from Angie really made it easy and I've filled a tall kitchen bag half full of belts I keep passing up wearing and what's more now have a clearer idea of what I do want in a belt and won't be settling for any more that fit and look fine but I now realize I won't wear.

Runcarla

Veteran

Hah! Love/hate here too! I actually have 2 belts in my ‘for review/donation’ pile, but ended up wearing (a different) belt in order to keep a pair of high waisted bottoms from become hip huggers! I like wearing a belt over a traditional blazer jacket for interest and waist definition, or switching out the tie belt of a trench with a leather belt.

I’ll probably keep two and donate two when I do the annual closet edit later this year.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love them! I don't have enough! Can't find what I want/ need right now.
I even wear them with higher waisted pants sometimes, despite the fact that I am short-waisted. Belting does tend to cut me in half and it's probably not super flattering. I don't know why it doesn't seem to bother me. But it doesn't.

Maybe because I almost always semi-tuck when I wear a belt. Or tuck completely. Who knows. But...I treat them in a way like jewellery.

I do sometimes prefer a belt that essentially blends in with the trousers or dress because otherwise there can be "too much going on."

Staysfit, you will always look long and lean, but if you don't enjoy wearing belts, you should feel free to release some to their new owners!

Runcarla

Veteran

FWIW, if you match your belt to your top, you can provide an illusion of a longer torso, when the reality is the opposite!

Gigi

Veteran

I often try to imitate outfits I see online that I like that have belts, but they never turn out looking like the inspiration photo. I am very short waisted, and with high rises, a belt often is not flattering. I think the unflattering factor also has to do with my figure 8 shape--I carry weight in my high hip, and a belt can emphasize that.

I keep meaning to experiment with my belts, but I keep forgetting. My favorite belts are two leopard-print ones and a black one with a double-ring buckle. For some reason, the round buckles are more flattering on me. Maybe they help break up the horizontal line more? Have you tried belts with round buckles?

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Staysfit

Veteran

Gigi. Most of my belts have round buckles but I prefer the buckles that are square or rectangular.

Runcarla, I hadn’t considered that before! I will try and see what happens....

Suz, I put 3 in my giveaway bin and will probably add more. I am not sure why I’m so ambivalent about parting with the rest?! Belts are not only hard to wear, but for me, they are hard to find! The easiest belts
to part with are those with brass or gold tone buckles. I wear either silver or mixed metals. I do have one belt with a mixed metal buckle, and it flips between black and brown. I may contact you to see if you want any of my belts......they’re in good condition! (Hardly ever
used :-). )

Vildy, I am impressed by how many you culled. I have three more belts I am still considering, one is a chain style belt, but it’s too long, and it has a white leather strip going through it’s length. I do not love white, but I keep thinking there must be a way to modify this belt and make it shorter, I think I will like it.....but it has been sitting in my closet unused for 4 years, so my rationale is probably delusional.

Joy, I believe I was motivated to try a flat, “no show” low profile belt after reading one of your posts a few years ago. I purchased a navy belt and use it regularly. It holds up my pants but sits unobtrusively underneath any tops I wear over my waistbands. I can understand how a glucometer would interfere with a belt.....clothes need to be practical!

Sal, I used to own and love some woven belts. They wore out and a few years ago and I culled them from my closet. I have three white belts.....one being the chain belt mentioned above. I wear my white belt when I carry a white handbag, or if I wear white shoes. Once the bags and shoes wear out, I will eliminate the belts, I am not adding white items to my wardrobe anymore.....

Shevia, I am happy to hear that your donated items go to good use. Anything I pull out of my closet is up for grabs by DD and her two best friends, who are also about my height and build. One of her friends takes the same size shoe as me, and when a pair does not work for me, she often can manage.

DonnaF, I have always appreciated the look of an Obi belt......

The Cat, I had not previously considered the softness of a belt. I have enjoyed woven belts and in the past had some cloth belts that I enjoyed as well.

Cardiff girl, I agree that we all have different personal styles and that helps makes people interesting.

Unfrumped, I appreciate your thoughts. You have several clear parameters for evaluating a belt which I will consider adding to mine. For example I do not like flashy metal with too much shine, and I find high profile buckles annoying. One of my wide belts is stiff, which may contribute more to my dislike than the width.

LisaP, the shifting of a belt hasn’t entered my radar since I have so rarely used a belt other than in the loops of my trousers!

Slim cat, I do not retain leather belts that are too large or have a dangling end. I do not like the knotted look that some people use when their belt is too long.

Synne, RobinF, it’s nice to know that there are others who use belts for their function rather than style,

Bonnie and SarahD8, perhaps I will get to a point where I have no belts.....I can see that happening in the future.....

Anchie, it seems like my new belt count after I sort further will be between 6-10. Function and practicality are top features.

Angie, I think my style is veering towards a more streamlined and minimal look. Belts are most often an added distraction to my look. I agree that eliminating those I am not using and do not anticipate using again in the future makes sense.....

Bijou, I like how you have a belt and shoes that coordinate so well. If I loved my belts, I would create mini capsules of belt, bag and shoes that coordinate.

Nemosmom, proportions created by belts are tricky. I am beginning to learn how wearing my hair up or down effects the nature/proportions of the outfit I am putting together,

Suntiger, the belt that holds your quiver sounds like a showstopper!

Star, I agree that 2 belts do not take up much space, but belts are heavy, and when there are 24 of them, they take more space than one might expect. I tend to wear what I see, so I hang my belts.....

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go! You have a plan

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