How to Wear a Belt (for Women)

Co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Belts not only have a functional purpose, they can also be a fun accessory that complements your personal style. Belting a piece of clothing can be an innovative and inexpensive way to revamp your wardrobe. This accessory is very versatile and can be taken from a casual day at the park to a formal dinner party.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing a Belt

1
Opt for thin belts that elongate your frame. Thin belts that don’t cover up your midsection will give you the appearance of a longer torso. The elongating effect will be all the more apparent if you choose a belt that matches the color of the pants or skirt you’re wearing.^{[1]
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- Thin belts are especially great for petite women who are looking to not overpower their stature.
2
Go with an embellished, colorful belt to show off your daring style. A brightly-colored belt with embellishments can be used to add a fun touch to an otherwise plain outfit. There’s many different kinds of embellishments to glam-up your style. You can go for brightly-colored rhinestones, studs, or intricate embroidery.^{[2]
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- Embellished belts will look great with your favorite pair of medium-wash jeans and a neutral colored blouse.
- If you’re wearing a bold belt, tuck in your blouse or shirt to place more focus on the fun accessory.
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3
Choose a subtle, neutral-toned belt if you’re going for a sophisticated style. Dark and neutral colored belts will slim you down and accentuate your figure. This is a great style for curvy women who want to create an hourglass shape.^{[3]
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- If your belt has a gold-colored buckle, consider wearing gold jewelry. The same goes for silver.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
  Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
  Expert Interview. 23 October 2020.}
4
Opt for wide belts if you have an athletic shape. Athletic women look great in wide belts because they help create curves. The accessory can be paired with a blouse that has a collar in order to add some extra shape to the top half of the body.^{[5]
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Find a belt in which the metal notch fits in the center hole. A belt that allows for the tail to lie flat against your body is a good fit for you. If the leftover length is any shorter, it could look stubby and ill-fitting.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wearing Belts Casually

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Knot a cloth belt for a casual look. Long cloth belts knotted at the waist are a great everyday option. They’re very comfortable to wear because they don’t have any extra hardware that could dig into your skin.^{[7]
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- Make sure the belt is long enough that it doesn’t stick out of your body at an odd angle.^{[8]
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- For a relaxed look, add a knotted belt to a band T-shirt and distressed jeans.
2
Belt a cardigan below your bustline for chilly days. This is a versatile look that can be relaxed when worn with a maxi skirt, but can easily transition into everyday office wear if it’s paired with a pencil skirt.^{[9]
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Add a belt to your favorite pair of denim shorts for hot days. Denim shorts worn with a thin belt are a great style for a day at the park. Pair this with a comfortable T-shirt for a fast and easy summer look.^{[10]
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4
Wear a romper belted at the waist for a fashionable style. Keep the outfit casual by opting for a neutral-toned belt and flip-flops. This is a great outfit for a day spent at the beach with friends.
- A bright, floral romper with a brown belt would be a good fashion choice for summer days.
5
Choose to wear mismatched belt and shoes for a fun twist. Go for contrasting colors that still look great together if you’re after a more casual look. This gives a sense of a modern and youthful woman.^{[11]
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- A red belt paired with boyfriend jeans and gold flats would look great on anyone!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Dressing up Belts

1
Belt a heavy wool coat for winter. A long coat, paired with a thick belt that accentuates your waist, is an elegant way to style the accessory. This is fashionable, but still practical enough to keep you warm during the winter months.^{[12]
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Opt for belting a form fitting dress for a going-out look. This will give you an hourglass shape and increase the visual interest of the outfit. This style would look great with a dress that has a pencil-skirt style bottom.^{[13]
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Pair a black dress with a thick belt and heels for a classy outfit. This is the perfect outfit for an elegant dinner party or a special trip to a sophisticated restaurant. ^{[14]
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- Add a clutch to elevate the look.
4
Choose to wear a bright belt with a monochromatic jumpsuit. A belt at the waist of an all monochromatic outfit is flattering and stylish. This looks best when wearing an entire outfit in a neutral color because the belt adds a fun touch.^{[15]
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- Pair the look with some fun heels for a party.
5
Belt a full, high-waisted skirt for a polished look. Paired with a tucked in blouse, it creates a sleek style that’s still youthful and figure-flattering. When worn with tights, it can easily transition into a fall and winter outfit.^{[16]
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Expert Answer

Q

What kind of belt should I wear in a professional setting?

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Chloée Ohayon-Crosby:

Skinny belts often work best in a professional setting. These will help you add a small hint so your outfit isn't bland, but are understated enough to avoid being too loud.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Which way does a belt go for a woman?

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

A belt should go around the smallest part of your waist if you want to emphasize that part of your body, although you can kind of put them wherever you want if you'd prefer. Think of a belt as an accessory. You can choose to show it off or choose to hide it, in the same way you could choose a bright red shade of lipstick or a quieter neutral nude.
Question

Does wearing a belt make you look slimmer?

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Belts draw attention to your waist, which is the slimmest part of your torso.