How to best accessorize with belts

Belting ups up outfits of all styles

This post is another one in the series of accessorizing with belts or more generally in the series of posts on how to up your outfit with accessories. In case you missed the previous posts on the most common mistakes when belting or which belt is the best for your body shape, here are the links to these posts.  Don’t know your body shape? You can determine your body type online at this link.

In today’s post, you will find various ideas and tips for all kinds of personal style – Casual, Bohemian, Classic, Urban, Dramatic/Glamorous – you name it and body types.  Don’t know your personal style? Take the free online style quiz to find out.

When putting an outfit together carefully consider every detail: Your personal style, lifestyle, body type, and budget. These details are truly indispensable. Remember

You’ll love these 25 easy stylist’s belting tricks

What to try

1. A head-to-toe monochromatic outfit using the belt as an accent.
2. A skinny belt worn over a skirt for a feminine touch.
3. A thin belt over a partly closed jacket of a twinset. It’s a classic.
   

   Front view of fall outfit with GNW cardigan, statement belt, eShakti dress, GNW tight, scarf (all own), Musse & Cloud fall sandals c/o Coolway, and shoulder leather bag c/o Uno Alla Volta

   

   G-III suede skirt, GNW tight, Manolo Blahnik booties, Kieselstein Cord belt, statement buckle, GNW cardigan worn as top, Moda International (dyed) cardigan, Hermes collier de chien bangle (all own), and hand-painted artisan made scarf c/o Uno Alla Volta. This look again features the collar bone, and the legs. the belt provides shape and defines the waist.

   

   DvF leopard print wrap dress worn as skirt, Isaac Mizhari cardigan, BGBD belt, Camel bag (all own), and Musse&Cloud sandals c/o Coolway

   

   Notations zebra print cardigan, Banana Republic hounds tooth above the knee skirt, GNW tight, Sanchez riding boots, Kieselstein Cord belt and three horse buckle, Hermes collier de chien cuff, headband (all own), and layering top c/o Adea

   

   Halogen tweed skirt, GNW Luxe sweater, GNW tight, Kieselstein Cord belt, H buckle, GNW cardigan, Jord bamboo watch (all own) and boot toppers c/o Top of the Boot
4. Belted leather pants for a cool Rock’n Roll inspired look with blazer and T-shirt on the weekend.
5. Match it to your bag, clutch for the weekend.
6. Add a statement to an evening gown. So unexpected.
   

   Black Tie Valentine’s Day ball: Velvet gown with cropped jacket, collier de chien belt, and Very Fine Dance Shoes dance sandals (all own)

   

   Neck-holder velvet gown with coin belt and leather opera gloves
7. Add a chain or thin gold or silver leather belt to cocktail separates.
8. Use this accessory to up the style of a summer maxi dress. A LWD with tan leather looks casual posh and laid back at the same time.
9. Wear a wide belt over a sheath dress at the office.
   

   Calvin Klein sheath dress, statement belt, GNW tight, GNW cardigan, and Söfft shearling booties (all own)

   

   Calvin Klein tailored sheath dress, GNW Luxe light pink sweater, long trendy suede belt, Söfft buckle-up booties, and turnip ribbed tight c/o No nonsense

   

   Zoom-in on OOTD featuring a dyed Moda International cardigan over BB Dakota floral sheath with GNW tights, statement belt and Manolo Blanik booties (all own)

   

   Ruby Bell plaid sheath dress with Jeanne Pierre sweater, GNW tights, Valentino boots (all own) and wooden watch c/o Jord

   

   Newport News tailored leather jacket with Eli Tahari sheath dress, Moschino belt, and studded pumps (all own)
10.  Use it for shape to underline the slimmest point of your body.
11. Balance the look of loose pants with a fitted shirt using this accessory.
12. For an urban summer style try a white or olive dress with a tan thin double wrap style. When your torso is long, you can pull off a triple wrap where the leather is about an inch to 1.5 inch wide (2.5-3.8 cm).
13. An evergreen classic is a LBD – no matter whether it is fancy or a T-shirt version or anywhere in between – with a white belt.
14. When your style is Bohemian try a metal one with a floral maxi, ethnic or embroidered dress.
    

    Fossil jacket, u-knit dress, statement belt, Winkwood wood frame sunglasses, Adidas sneakers, and Coach bag (all own)

    

    Karina dress, layering top, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, Gloria Vander Bilt pumps (all own), and suede Florentine designer clutch c/o Uno Alla Volta

    

    Zoom-in on details of Victoria Victoria Beckham dress with Hermes belt, Calvin Klein nude pumps, and DIY lace underskirt

    

    Rafaela striped T-shirt dress, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, Juicy Couture slides, Anne Klein oblong scarf, Longchamp Pliage bag (all own), and Creamy Waffle wood frame sunglasses c/o Winkwood

    

    Karina polka dot dress, Gucci belt, Hilfinger wedges, Jord watch (all own), and sunglasses c/o Winkwood
15.  Add a textured belt to a floral, abstract, leaves or paisley print maxi dress.
16. Use a scarf as a belt.
17. Up your sweater with a statement piece.
    

    Stripe cashmere cardigan with tweed skirt, Moschino belt, Vince Camuto boots and tights (all own) for a casual business look

    

    Gucci silk scarf, Orvis over-size Irish cable knit sweater belted for shape with Paloma Picasso x belt, Pendleton glen check pleated wool midi skirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, YSL bag, Dior over-the-knee boots, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves, and beret, and maxi shearling coat worn as a cape (all own)

    

    Karina Dress worn as skirt with GNW Luxe dyed sweater, GNW tight, consigned collar, and second hand Celine bag, Manolo Blahnik booties, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle (all bought on eBay), and Jord bamboo watch (own)

    

    Eddie Bauer Fair Isle sweater, Skhoop insulated skirt

    

    Trapper hat, VS sequin skirt, GNW tight, Eddie Bauer Fair Isle sweater, ethnic belt, wool socks (all own) and Alida nubuk booties c/o coolway

    

    BB Dakota sheath worn as skirt, Jeanne Pierre sweater, statement belt, GNW tight, Jimmy Choo boots (all own)

    

    Loft sweater, Hermes Collier de Chien belt, Talbot skirt, GNW cardigan, Longchamp bag, and Calvin Klein pumps (all own)

    

    Dyed Moda International cardigan tied over GNW striped sweater with Sienna Studio snake-print leather pants, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle (all own) and Akoya pearl necklace c/o the Pearl Source

    

    Winter outfit with Irish cable-knit sweater, Eli Tahari leather dress, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, tight, Soeft shearling booties (all own) with wooden watch c/o Jord
18. What about adding shape to a coat or styling your outerwear?
19. What about adding shape to a down vest?
    

    Shearling hat, Be by Blanc Noir down vest, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, Banana Republic straight glen check skirt, Brooks Brothers cashmere sweater, Hermes collier de chien cuff, GNW tight, and Harley Davidson motorcycle booties (all own)

    

    GNW Luxe sweater, Halogen tweed skirt, GNW tight, Harley Davidson booties,statement belt, Be By Black Noir down vest with hood (all own) and multi-color baroque pearl necklace c/o Pearl Claps

    

    Side view of outfit with layering technique for insulation and style. GNW Luxe cashmere wool sweater, down vest, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, GNW flannel tight, Söft shearling booties, and silk neckerchief (all own)

    

    Wearing a down vest over at sweat with a pencil leather skirt, and statement belt. Keeping the outfit in monochromatic black and the high heels of the booties serve to avoid that the vest wears me
20. Jump the band wagon of belting a blazer
21. Add shape to a knit dress
    

    Silk neckerchief, suede statement belt, Modalo Pippa bag, Vince Camuto suede boots (all own), tight c/o No nonsense, and gray ripped knit dress c/o AMICLUBWEAR

    

    Barbour cable knit dress with brown tights, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, statement necklace, and brown leather booties

    

    Barbour cable-knit dress worn over suede skirt belted with vintage MOSCHINO belt for shape and proportions and red tights and red Manolo Blahnik booties to elongate the legs
22. A chain belt to add glamour to a jumpsuit.
23. A textured – read alligator, crocodile, snake or lizard imprinted, laser cut or macrame belt – with a floral or abstract print jumpsuit.
24. Knot the belt of a coat in the back, when wearing the coat open as is shown in the side view photo of the OOTD.
25. Let a statement buckle be the jewelry in your look like in the OOTD in this post.

More awesome styling tips

When you liked the free outfit tips of this post, and want styling tips for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.

How do you use this accessory? Just to keep your pants up? Just curious.

P.S. If you liked any of these outfit inspirations, it would help me if you pinned them to your own Pinterest board. Doing so helps your friends, family, and others to see them too.

P.P.S. When you are interested in reading about accessorizing with gloves or tips how to up your style with brooches go to the posts at the links.

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Photos of me: G. Kramm

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