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Question about belts

jussie

Veteran

Hi guys- I need to order a new belt, the idea is to wear it with a dress on the narrowest part of my waist.
All of my current belts originally came with pants so don’t have holes in the right place for doing up at the waist, and they’re pretty cheap and nasty anyways....
This may sound silly- but I can’t work out how to tell if a belt is meant for the waist or the hip when I look at them online..... would a belt called a “dress belt” be meant for the waist? Or do they mean dress as in dressy?
I feel rather silly about this.....
Thanks everyone

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

kkards

Veteran

yes, it can be hard....they only way i can tell is if they give the actual lenght measurements of the belt...

tanstaafl

I’ll be watching for an answer to this as well. I need to replace a white skinny belt for one of my summer dresses.

Mirjana

Veteran

I don't buy online, but suppose "the belts for waist, women" than measure your waist and make a choice. usually they are S,M and L according to length.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Not a silly question at all. It's really hard to tell online apart from measurements. Sometimes the photo makes it clear where they expect you to wear it.

karen13

Veteran

Measure your favorite belts at both places. And make sure you can return.

BrieN

Veteran

That's a good question. I like how Nordstrom shows their belts on the mannequin--at least a starting point.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Suz said.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Measure your waist where you want to wear it because you will need to know that to buy a belt.I have a belt from Boden that I bought a few seasons ago and it was actually called a waist belt so that helped!And yes Suz is right the photo of the model wearing it is often a clue to the way the belts meant to be worn.

jussie

Veteran

Kkards, tanstaafl, Mirjana, Suz, Angie, Cardiff girl, BrieN, Karen13:
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question, I appreciate it! The stores I’m looking at don’t include a model photo which is unfortunate; but as suggested I will measure the hip belts I have and then just try to work it out from there- or surely one labeled small will be ok? I’m really excited to resurrect this dress which just needs a belt....
Thanks so much guys!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

You could try a belt like this also:
https://www.garnethill.com/ada.....value=main

unfrumped

Veteran

Measure yourself! Then gravitate to sites that give actual lengths. I’ve a time or two bought 2 sizes. I used to do s lot more tucking with skirts and pants so had a huge collection of waist- fitting belts— even then had more than one length because waistbands might fall slightly differently and I don’t lihe s lot of leftover belt end.
For pants and jeans with untucked tops I’m sold on the Hipsi adjustable belts.

Anonymous

I agree with Unfrumped. Measure yourself. Get an idea of what length you need and then shop for that specific length. Do not buy based on S, M, or L because it is uncertain ... unless you are willing to buy two sizes and experiment. Belt buying is incredibly FUN. Good luck.

Gigi

Veteran

Belt buying online is tough! The best you can do is take measurements of your own body where you want to wear the belt and then try to find something based on that.

Online measurements aren't always that helpful because some places give the measurement from end-to-end, which doesn't tell you how much space is taken up by the buckle or by the little bit of belt that naturally will hang out after it is fastened. Nordstrom is usually pretty good about providing helpful measurements, telling you how far from the buckle to the smallest hole (I think). If you find a belt that you really like and returns are easy, you might want to order two sizes just to see which works better, and then return the one that doesn't work.

jussie

Veteran

Texstyle, unfrumped, Sterling, and Gigi:
Thanks so much for your wisdom, and also for the tips about garnet hill and Hipsi belts. In conclusion; after all these ideas floating around I think it’s just too risky! I’m going to wait approx another week till I can get to the shops and just try some on! I was hoping to wear the dress sooner but I’ll just have to wait thanks guys

unfrumped

Veteran

Also, if you’re a devoted belt perso you may want to get a belt- hole maker. Many belts need just that one extra hole to fit perfectly!