How To Style Your Outfit With A Belt

We both like to add belts to outfits- pants, skirts and dresses. Sometimes, even over vests and sweaters. Belts can elevate an outfit, define a waist and add color to a monochromatic look. They are a fun fashion accessory and functional too. Today we are sharing how we style outfits with a belt.

How To Style Your Outfit With A Belt

With the arrival of high-waisted pants, jeans and skirts, belts are making their way back into the accessory departments of many stores and online. Bev here- I love belts and have been collecting them for years. If you are looking to replace some of your belts- these might be calling your name. Let’s see what we found.

Styling Pants With A Belt

The biggest thing to consider when styling pants with a belt is the Belt Loop Width on the pants. That’s a biggie. It’s usually 2 inches in length- so a belt with a width of 1.5 inches to 2 inches is the best. The Tory Burch 1.5″ Miller Reversible Belt that Bev has on is a great belt to purchase in the black, classic cuoio with the gold buckle. Val loves her Gucci Belt that also is a classic and can be worn with both pants and dresses. The buckle is 3″ while the belt width is 1.5″- creating more of a statement. Also, notice how the belt stands out on against a beautiful black top and pants. Click on any photo below for more belt choices.

Styling A Dress With A Belt

When styling a dress with a belt consider the fabric of the dress and the choice of belt. Usually a statement belt works well here. Styling a dress with a belt helps to break up the column of color adding detail and proportion. Be careful with an extremely full profile or fabric that is thick to avoid too much gathering above or below the belt. The above examples show these two sweater dresses that are perfect for styling with a belt. Val is wearing this great Wash Lab Denim Dress that is still available- click here.

Click on any photo below for more belt choices that would work well when styling a dress.

Black Statement Belts

More Statement Belts

Click here for our post on belt basics

Styling A Long Sweater With A Belt

Styling a long sweater with a belt is best if the sweater falls somewhere at the top of the thigh or longer. A belt feels very comfortable if the fabric of the sweater is on the thinner side to reduce bulk and the belt could be a size up from what you would wear on your waist. Also, the width of the belt could be 2 inches or more. A thinner belt works if the buckle is the statement- like the one Val has on in the far left photo. Click on any photo below for more information on belts we chose when styling over a long sweater.

Styling A Skirt with A Belt

Styling a skirt with a belt can be done with a skirt that has no loops- like the skirts above. The skirts have a fuller profile and without belt loops- yet the waist band is wide enough for a statement belt that is at least 2 inches wide. Belting fuller skirts defines the waist and breaks up the monochromatic look. Do you have a pencil skirt like a denim one with belt loops – choose a belt that you fits in the loops. A pencil or a-line skirt without loops- try a statement belt- but if it moves around too much don’t style it with the belt- you’ll go crazy trying to keep the belt in place. Click on the photos below for belts that would work for styling a skirt.

Styling A Jacket With A Belt

Styling a jacket with a belt works well when the jacket fabric is thinner or already has a belt on it. Switching out the fabric belt with a more detailed belt elevates the look. Click on any photo below for more information.

We hope this post has given you some inspiration and help with styling any type of outfit with a belt. Below we have linked the belts from this post and more of our favorites.

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Bev and Val

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