Belts Are a Girl’s Best Friend

I’m sure this will come as no surprise to any of you who have been following along for any length of time, but I have a thing for a cinched waist. I know, shocker right? But, I swear it’s my super power. When my waist is nipped, everything else seems to fall into place. I stand up straighter, feel more confident, have a bit of extra swing in my step. In general, I am just a little bit extra.

Because of this, I’ve amassed quite a collection of belts over the years. It’s very rare that I find myself without one. If you haven’t ventured forth into the magical Kingdom of Belts, let me introduce you. To me, they can add a dash of sparkle, that perfect pop color. From frothy fairytale to utilitarian, they pull a look together in a way that no other accessory does for me. And as someone who is rather vertically inclined, they can bring a dress to my natural waist where it darn well belongs.

This post has been a long time coming – I get numerous requests from ladies over the years, asking after where I’ve gotten my belts. They tend to be the one item I’m always searching for – and the pieces I have never regretted buying. I decided to compile some of my favorites, to help you navigate the waters. I have a few go-to shops where I can always snag a pretty or three, from sparkly to velvet to rustic to patent leather.

First and foremost: invest in quality. Think about how much racing around you do on your everyday path to being awesome. There’s a lot of movement happening at the midsection – we sit, we stand, we bend. We’re basically Wonder Woman in vintage. So, investing in a few good belts that can stand the test of time will pay off in the long run. I also tend towards belts that are adjustable, but can lock into place. I hate hate hate with the fire of a thousands suns having to fidget with my clothing – and that includes constantly cinching belts tighter. So, I look for belts that have a bit of stretch or have a buckle that can be loosened and tightened on that magical road to pizza.

You also want to consider belt width – depending on the length of your torso, you may want a range of belts in different widths. I am on the tall side and find wide belts suit me – they’re also very handy when a waistline is a smidge high (tall girl problems). And narrow belts are great when you want to add a bit of pizazz, but want the dress to really be the focus.

So, while acknowledging that I definitely veer towards sparkle, here are some of my favorite vendors for finding the perfect belt:

Alannah Hill : Hands down, most of my favorite belts in my collection came from Australian fav Alannah Hill. I discovered them on my move to Australia, and now that we’ve left, let’s just say I am very grateful for international shipping. I have one of their belts hugging my waistline a good 5 out of the 7 days each week, and they’re always the perfect mix of girlie and functional, with a bit of added bling. Although on the pricier side ($49-$69 AUD), I have had only one fall apart on me, and only because I quite literally wore it out (it’s at the doctors getting a clasp re-soldered as I type).

Many of their belts are a high-quality stretch velvet, with an adjustable waist size. More often than not, they also come with a rhinestone clasp, which gives the perfect amount of twinkle. As an added bonus, their adjustability means they can double as a headband (case in point) – and I’m all for clothing that can serve double duty.

Love Like Style : I discovered the shop Love Like Style a few years ago, and after some fabulous Christmas elf put one under my tree, I’ve been hooked and have a bit of a collection brewing. I have a soft spot for things that look organic (leaves, vines, waves), and these beautiful belts always look as if they were sprung from the earth, doused in sparkle, and planted in my closet…

Both of my belts from this shop tie at the back with a satin ribbon, making them ideal as a belt or a head sash (you can see it styled as a headband here). The colors on both my red and yellow version are super bright, and add that perfect pop of color.

Anthropologie : I’ve also gotten quite a few belts over the years from Anthropologie – they tend to sell more of the rustic leather variety, but there is definitely some beaded bling thrown in for good measure (case in point). I’ve always found their belts to be of excellent quality – and though they can be on the pricier side, I find you get what you pay for. In terms of style, I find Anthro goes in waves – there will usually be a period of time where they have 5 belts I want, and the next few months there won’t be anything that’s quite my style. But, it’s all about the thrill of the hunt….

Altar’d state : this is a newly discovered shop, local here in Wilmington. I discovered Altar’d State on a shopping adventure with my mom, and the pillar of glitter called to me. They have a wide selection if you’re into bling, most of which have an elastic back panel that can give a bit of waistline flexibility. Since buying the silver one above, I’ve since added a black version into my belt collection. Hey, a gal needs her bling…..

Modern Millie : Whenever I’m home visiting my family I always have one request: To visit Modern Millie’s. It’s met absolute favorite shop in Salem, stocking a bevvy of amazing vintage and vintage-inspired wares. They also happen to have an amazing selection of accessories, and I’ve added more than a few to my cart over the years.

Although they have a selection of belts on their website, it’s always worth looking on their instagram for things in store that haven’t made it to their cyber pages yet. I have the above bow belt in tan and mint green (seen here), and it always adds the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.

Pinup Girl Clothing : Sometimes classic is best – I’ve had a wide 2″ black and navy belt from PUG forever, and they are my wardrobe staples. When you don’t want bling but prefer a bit of structure, this is definitely the belt for you. PUG doesn’t have this particular style anymore, which is in a black and navy sateen, but they have it in black vinyl and faux leather. If you are long-waisted as I am, this belt is my secret weapon when it comes to lowering the waistline of dresses…

I think it’s safe to say, “Hi my name is Kara and I’m a belt-a-holic.” For me, I’ve never found a belt when I’ve been looking for it – you have to pounce when the opportunity strikes. Next time you’re out shopping, keep your eye out for the display of belts – often tucked to the side – or styled on mannequins. Although they’re very rarely the piece you head to the store to buy, you’ll be surprised how quickly the perfect belt can become a staple in your wardrobe.

The best place to start is with the standard colors: black, white, brown, and navy. And then try for a pop of red…a dash of sparkle. Before you know it, you’ll join my Belt-a-holics Anonymous support group (and you won’t be sorry). To me, a belt is to your outfit the way whip cream is to a sundae – sure, you can have a sundae without one. But it begs the question WHY would you ever???

When in doubt, belt it out…

xoxo

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accessories, belts, fashion, favorite, sparkle, vintage, vintage inspired