I went on a bit of a belt bender this year too, for the first time ever, so I can share with you how I wear mine. Unfortunately my comments are going to be nearly as useful as Mo's, because she's got all these great pictures of herself modeling the belts! -- but you and I have a similar height and frame (I think) so perhaps what I have to say will have *some* value.
This is what I've got:
-- stretchy black wide Smoking Lily cameo belt, worn just under my bust -- works very well with certain tops and dresses by turning them into empire waist. If I were taller, with a long torso, I'd wear it on my waist, but on me it works best up high (and stays put, too. If I try to put it on my waist, like on the model in this pic, it rides up throughout the day: http://smokinglily.blogspot.ca.....oyage.html).
-- skinny blond leather belt, worn through the belt loops of low-rise dark skinny jeans, with a fitted, stretchy tee semi-tucked in. It came from Aritzia, I think. It's very simple: just leather with a small silver buckle. The narrowness of the belt works well with my petite frame. I find that when I wear it low, it draws a high-contrast line across my hips, widening them, which is the effect I want. It creates balance on my straight, rectangular figure (which tends slightly towards IT because my bust is moderately full). The blond colour looks awesome with dark indigo jeans and a black top, a combination I wear a lot.
-- a red leather and silver chain belt (MaxMara, I think). This one was expensive -- a generous birthday gift from my in-laws. But you get what you pay for. It's very narrow but heavy, and drapes exactly how I want it to. It's useless for holding up pants, but looks great draped low on my hips over a simple dress or a top. Again, this look works for those of us wishing to emphasize narrow hips. The red belt is awesome over black, navy blue, and all shades of gray, and is extra-awesome when I wear it with red shoes.
-- two very skinny leather belts, one black, one tan, made by some local designer. Super-simple: just leather and silver buckle. I wear either over a tailored shirt, at my natural waist, with a pencil skirt. It creates the fake-peplum effect, because the shirt flares out under the belt and gives the impression of an hourglass. I wear the black one with my coloured shirts, and the tan one with my black shirts. A very skinny belt is the ONLY option for me when it comes to wearing belts at my natural waist. There is so little space between my ribcage and hipbones that anything wider than an inch just doesn't work. I'm sure you have found the same thing!
-- chunky black belt with three rows of studs, because I can't resist the odd bit of punk rock. I find that if I wear it with other punk details, it's too much, but with a nice knee-length wool A-line skirt and fitted top, with black steampunk boots, it looks just right. Must be worn low on hips, like in Mo's pic #4 above.
- plain black leather belt, 1.5", for when I just need to hold up my pants. Sleek and simple, with good quality leather, this belt is primarily functional but looks good if it happens to peek out.
So that's it. Only seven belts, but lots of ways to wear them. I use them for adding interest, sometimes, which is the goal you say you are after, but I also use them a lot for figure flattery. In those cases the belt is not the focus of the outfit, but has to "go".
For you, I would err on the side of a narrower belt, because you're small with a short torso. You might find a stretchy wide belt works the same on you as it does on me: it'll want to live right up under your boobs, which can look good with the right dress or top. Angie talks about finding your belt "sweet spot(s)".
As for your question about cobalt booties -- if it were me, I'd use my blond belt for that. Leopard might work too. Or cobalt.
