Accessory Style Challenge: When to Wear a Belt

Trying with almost anything fashion related should be easy because it’s not permanent. You choose an outfit one day, and then change it up the next. So even if you don’t like one way to style something, you can easily try again.

When to Wear a Belt with a Dress

The above example shows an easy peasy summer print dress. It has an elasticized waist but did not come with a self belt.

Without a belt: The dress is easy to wear this way. It looks cohesive and is loose for the hotter temperatures.

With a belt: The light pink belt gives detail and focus to the waist.

My preference: I am an equal opportunity belt lover so truthfully I like it both ways. What I hate to hear are comments about looking taller one way over the other. Because I don’t care how tall I look. I want to look wonderful, not tall!!

OR another pet peeve is how women say they can’t wear a belt because they don’t have a waist. Wearing a belt will give the impression you have a waist.

Insider tip: Just because a dress comes with a belt doesn’t mean you have to wear that one. I recommend to take off all self belts and hang them with all of your belts. This way you will think to try many. Plus those self belts can be used with other outfits, scarves or even bracelets!!

Belting and a Cardigan

Another example of when to wear a belt is for some added color and flare. A white dress look with a long gold cardigan has the opportunity to bring in additional red accents with a red belt. Or do you like it without the belt??

Without the belt: This dress also indents at the waist and came without a belt. I already have three red pieces in the outfit (the shoes, the earrings and glasses).

I used the belt over the gold cardigan or under the cardigan for two different options.

With the belt: This red belt is a wider option but not super tight. That’s why I could try it over the cardigan also.

My preference: I like the belt under the cardigan for this example. Some of my other belts might work over the cardigan but this one isn’t my favorite for this idea.

For some reason I always wear a belt with this dress. It seems unfinished to me otherwise, yet it’s a personal preference.

When to Wear a Belt with a Summer Top

Now why would you even think to wear a belt with a flowy summer top? While flowy can be wonderful, there are times it’s nice to create more of a peplum look instead.

Without the belt: When the summer temperatures hit 100 degrees, the more flowy, the better.

With the belt: It adds more of the print from the shoes to the rest of the outfit. It also shortens the top a tad PLUS the top doesn’t gape open when leaning over as much.

My preference: Truthfully, I’ve worn this top both ways. You could say that the flowy version adds 10 pounds, but I really don’t care. Just like my comment about not caring to look taller, I also see no advantage of looking thinner. Who decided that thin is better anyways. I want to look great not tall and thin.

Blazer Action

Adding a belt over a blazer is something I’ve seen on other women but haven’t practiced much myself. Since these pants are the opposite of professional, I wanted to see if a belt would give the outfit a better look.

Without the belt: I think this is the traditional way we think about wearing blazers. Especially ones that are already tailored at the waist

This belt is the one that came with the pink shirtdress worn in this post and this post–last example. It’s leather in the back and metal in the front.

With the belt: The metal of the belt gives the outfit more bling, and at this stage of the game, I feel like everyday deserves bling.

My preference: Again, I do like both of these options. I also tried this same outfit with a leopard brown belt and a tan belt, but I liked this brown belt the best.

Make sure to click over to the blog post to see a time that a belt is really needed. But I'd love to hear your opinions on your preferences in these examples.