Hidden ("invisible") belt reviews

I've been experimenting with hidden plastic belts. I thought it might be useful to others to hear about my experience.

Hidden or "invisible" belts are made of clear, thin plastic and have a thin, flat buckle that's designed not to create a bump under your clothes. I decided to try one after seeing them mentioned here about a year ago.

Let me start by saying that I REALLY need a belt. I think it's because I have a straight, rectangular frame and basically no butt. I'm such a rectangle that I can take off my jeans without unbuttoning/unzipping them. Having a belt means that I can keep the tops of my jeans above my hip bones and my jeans won't fall off me. I don't wear jeans without a belt, because if I try the jeans slide down and would literally fall off if I didn't keep yanking them back up.

I've tried two different brands of hidden belt, called the isabelt (http://www.isabelt.com/) and the invisibelt (http://www.invisibelt.com/). Both belts work in a similar way. They don't have a regular belt buckle, but instead have a plastic clasp that joins the two ends together. This means that you can't really adjust the size while the belt is on - you have to do that ahead of time, by sliding a loop of the belt through a slider, like you do with an adjustable bra strap or backpack strap.

The isabelt is narrower, about 1/4" wide, and is the more stretchy of the two. I tried it first because I thought it would be less obtrusive. This didn't work well for me - in order for the belt to be tight enough to hold up my pants, it had to be so stretched that it rode up between the belt loops and touched my skin. I found that annoying. Also - perhaps because it is so thin and small - I quickly lost it.

The invisibelt is about 1/2" wide and is not very stretchy, more like a leather belt than a rubber band. This can be a disadvantage because the belt doesn't have a lot of give. If I change size, I have to adjust it. This works well for me because I can have it tight enough to keep my pants up and it doesn't ride up; it stays put better than the isabelt. The wider plastic also feels like it holds everything in place better.

Overall I think the belt works really well. At this point I've had the invisibelt for at least 6 months and I wear it every time I wear jeans. It keeps my pants on, and is much less bulky than a regular belt.

Although the belt is much thinner and less obtrusive than a regular belt, it can still be visible - if I wear a top that is form-fitting or has thin fabric around the waist you can definitely tell that something is there. For tops that aren't snug it is usually impossible to notice the belt.

Another advantage of these plastic belts is that you don't have to remove them to go through airport security - they don't contain metal. So now I can keep my pants on while I travel.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I have the opposite problem with pants/jeans...everything needs to be taken in. So I've been using the invisabelt to hold in my pants until I have worn them a couple times before I take them in to the tailor to get the waist taken in. I really like the invisabelt because they are not noticable under longer tops because of the lack of buckle. My only issue with them is they need to be adjusted before you install them in your belt loops. But otherwise, they are great.

lynne

Veteran

I was initially unimpressed with mine (and it smelled funny) but I think I'll give it another try. I hate to keep yanking up my jeans.

MNsara

Two satisfied invisibelt users! Thanks, medusa and marlene

I had one of those on my radar last year and totally let it slide - using a combination of self-done darts, safety pins, and the occasional tailoring on most every pant I own.

After hearing that it really worked for you two, I think I'll need to try one of these.

Lisa

I have the invisibelt. It is not very easy to readjust once you are wearing it and I clean the plastic with windex to keep it clear from time to time but it does the job.

Ariadne

I had an Isabelt, and it broke in less than a year-the plastic parts just snapped off. I think I'll order an Invisibelt to repalce it, now that I've read these revewis.

biscuitsmom

Ive had a invisibelt I use with my jeans for about a yr now...it works pretty well, but is a pain to re-adjust if you dont get it right the first time....I also bought the 'add a button' one- sorry, cant think of the name, where you can add a push-in button to take pants in, or let them out, a extra inch or so...works fine as long as you have a fairly long top on so it doesnt show....

Sihaya

Thanks a lot Medusa. Sounds like this should be handy for my as I'm losing weight ad before I'm ready to invest in new clothes till my weight stabilizes.

rute

don't understand.. why don't you use a regular belt? Belts are funny and give the outfit a lot of interest..

Rosie

Thanks for this great review. I mostly have this problem with jeans that are too big at the waist (should probably take them in) but it sounds like there is a clear winner here!

rute - this is designed for when you NEED a belt, but it is for under your clothes and you DON'T want any belt bulk.

For me, it is an alternative to getting your waistband taken in.

Carole

Thanks so much for reviewing these. I have often wondered about them, and have wanted one, but haven't found one when I'm looking for it. I couldn't get to the second link, but will try to order one.

Mellllls

i have been wondering about these. thanks so much for letting us know how they work.

medusa

Rute, MNSara explained it - it's for when you want a belt but other layers will cover it so it won't be seen. Does that make sense?

Brianna, I think the invisibelt is more sturdy than the isabelt, so I would give it a try.

Lisa and biscuitsmom - I agree with you about how it's annoying to adjust once it's on. That's definitely a drawback.

Isabel

How timely....I have a small waist in proportion to my thighs/hips. So whatever fits in the thighs is usually large for my waist. And I don't always like the bulkiness of belts...I was JUST thinking about this this past weekend , " yet another pair of shorts to take in ".

Thank you, thank you, thank you !

( I had heard that a very chic woman flew into Logan and almost "dropped trou" )

Ladies, please see the post I made about a offer I got today- 25% off your Invisibelt order- today 7/13- only. Enter summer25 at checkout...ps- they've added a few new colors and styles....

Rosie- "clear winner" good one!

catgirl

Thank you so much for posting this review! I have exactly the same problem with being able to pull my jeans off without unbottoning - or if I can't do it, they are too tight and give me muffin top. I have looked at the invisibelt but having a YLFer review makes me more confident about getting one.

Patty

Being that these belts are plastic--do you not sweat under them??

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