Overcoming belt phobia: Conclusions

Ok, it has been almost a month since Angie wrangled me into a few belts and I have been having mixed feelings. This is what I have concluded after some experimentation:

I can't wear stiff belts under any circumstances. It doesn't matter how thin or thick they are. They are just so uncomfortable and cut in too much. If I'm going to wear a belt, it has to be stretchy or easily (discreetly) adjustable so that regardless of whether I'm sitting or standing, it fits properly without being constraining.

Belts work best on me when they are worn with dresses or tunics, as a decorative accessory. Dresses and tunics are one long piece, so the belt doesn't cut me off as awkwardly as it would in a shorter top. The belt shouldn't contrast too much, but if it does, layering on top with a jacket or cardigan helps. I can't use belts to cinch or add structure to a loosely fitting garment though. It makes me look like a paper bag with a string tied around the middle. Not so fab.

I also can't wear belts with jeans. The waistband on denim is too rigid and messes with my flabby bits too much, making a belt both unflattering and uncomfortable. For skirts, I have been unable to find a belt that helps to shorten a long top, which was really the biggest potential benefit to wearing belts. It is very difficult to find a stretchy 2" belt, which is as thick as I can go. Most are over 2" and usually around 3", which is far too wide for me.

So, while I am not totally closed to belts anymore, I am still not really sold on them. Looking back at Angie's post on belt phobia, I honestly can't say that wearing a belt has "solved fit dilemmas and resolved ensemble challenges" for me. All they do is add a nice decorative touch, which I can achieve with any number of accessories. The belt Angie gave me is probably enough for now. If I find a stretchy 1"-2" belt that I like, I'll give it a try, but I won't be going out of my way for one. At least now no one can say that I haven't tried!

16 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Maya well done for giving belts a go x

Anonymous

Aw very well done Maya. This info is good for all of us when we are looking for belts.
About a year ago I bought a handful of different kinds of belts just so I'd have them to play with. I really do not go for the belts very often. I'm a bit afraid of them too.
I have decided that any stretch in a belt is good.

Amy

(website)

Active Member

I have felt the same way. Because most of my chub is in my abdomen, I have always felt like wearing a belt, especially in the middle of a tunic or cardigan or something similar, would accentuate what I'd rather hide. I don't like wearing belts with pants because I wear my pants right or slightly above my navel, so my pants sometimes roll over a little, especially when I've been sitting for long periods of time, and the belt digs into my skin.

I did find a dress that's belted that does what all of the fashion experts say it should do, and it makes me want to find more, but it still feels like it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Best of luck to you! Like when dating, there are good ones out there, but sometimes you have to wade through the bad to get to the good, but when you find one, it's worth all of the trouble. Well, most of the time.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'm happy you're giving belts a go, Maya! I really and truly believe (with all my heart) that it's a question getting used to the comfort level of belts. Perhaps you will, perhaps you won't.

To be fair, the reason you haven't "resolved ensemble challenges" is only because you haven't actually found the right belt :0)

Maya

I'm a bit surprised to hear you say that Angie! It immediately reminded me of Stacy London saying you just need to "get used to" the comfort level of 4" stilettos. Why on earth would I want to get used to something that I find painful? I'm not making this up or being dramatic: It *is* painful, and I do not wear things that are painful. I don't believe in breaking in shoes, and I don't break in belts either.

If I see the right belt, I'll try it, but as I said, I'm not going out of my way for it. If an outfit or a garment doesn't work without the help of a belt, then as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't work at all. I don't have room in my closet for anything that is so restricting in how it can be worn.

My dear, Maya. *Of course* I don't want you to wear something that is painful. You know that :0).

I'm thinking of a much more subtle comparison than wearing 4 inch stilettos. THAT, is pain for most. For example, if you're not used to wearing a structured blazer, you might find it uncomfortable for a while - but then you get used to it. If you wear sneakers all the time, you'll find any other shoe uncomfortable - until you get used to it. I run into issues like these with clients so I'm speaking from experience.

No one wants you to suffer in pain for added outfit interest. If belts cause you pain, your conclusion is respected.

To clarify, I meant the stiff kind that are just holes and a buckle are painful. The stretchy belts aren't painful *if* they are narrow enough. Your black belt isn't painful either (but the yellow one is, unfortunately). The only one I have found so far that is narrow and stretchy was the H&M one, which I didn't really love enough to spend $10.

I tried this on at Urban. It's thick, but it actually sort of worked since it was very tapered in the front, but I didn't have any outfits to try it on with at the time. I may buy it just to bring it home and experiment.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....oductSize=

taylor

Maya, you realize you can wear just the right belt, in just the right way......:) mission accomplished.

cciele

Good for you for trying belts. I think like any item of clothing or accessory, you just have to decide whether it works for your style and body. It's great to experiment, but one shouldn't force oneself to wear something that doesn't feel right, for whatever reason.

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