"2012 is the year of waists and belts!"
Gone are the days when belts were worn by inserting them in the loops jeans or trousers. With the evolution of multi-fits in denims and trousers, the return of high-waist pants, invention of leggings and printed stockings, and much more in the bottom-wear category, the role of belts has also been fast changing.
And the spotlight of today's fashion are BELTS!
Belts today are available in endless colors, width, embellishments, styles and utility. Belts are a great way of drawing instant attention to your waist. While narrow belts give a delicate feminine look, wide belts take your outfit to a different level altogether. Belts in neon or eye-popping hues add glamour to your garments and belts give a definition to new entrants in fashion like the shirt-dresses or over-sized tops.
Many of you may not be comfortable or experimental in wearing a belt over your outfit - either because you have always been wearing it in the loops of your jeans or you have a tube tummy.
In either case, its time you break the myths...
Myth #1: I cannot find a right sized jeans and so have to use a belt to adjust the waist..
Correction: You need a brand-change. There are so many brands that have revolutionized jeans - like Jealous 21 offers different hip sizes in jeans since 2008 I guess, Levis has Curve ID. What's important is which ever brand of jeans you choose, take the one that fits you perfectly on your hips and thighs. The waist can be adjusted with a couple of darts on the inner side.
With the right sized jeans, you can experiment with tops and belts.
Myth #2: I have a tyre-like tummy. So belts make my tummy look worse..
Correction: If you choose a slim belt, it will emphasize your bigger tummy. And the same thing will happen if you wear belts on your lower-waist. Try an over-sized belt! An over-sized belt will compliment your bigger tummy, by taking away all the attention from the tummy to the belt. If you wear it in contrasting colors with your outfit, it will look edgy.
You may also try wearing medium-wide belts on high waist (below the empire line). They will cut your large torso horizontally, giving a balanced look.
Myth #3: I am straight up and down. Belts just highlight that my body lacks curves..
Correction: Since your body lacks curves, firstly you need to create an illusion of curves by adding details at your shoulder and hips. Try extended sleeves, boat/high necks, padded/puffed shoulders on top & jodhpurs, jumpers, high-waist pant, etc on bottom.. (Read my post on "Exploring Column Body Shape with Anushka Sharma")
After adding volume to your shoulders and hips, wear a belt right at the waist-line (not higher or lower than waist-line). This will define your waist beautifully and never make you look a straight, tall, rectangular pillar anymore!
Myth #4: Who wears belts in office? Belts are only meant for parties!
Correction: Who said office attire has to be boring and bland? Except for a few sectors and industries where dress-code is strictly business formals (or you prefer to wear Indian formals), you can very much add a belt to your office attire. It will give your body a shape it definitely requires and will set you apart from the rest. Either tuck the shirt in and wear a thin waist-belt or take a bit longer shirt and wear a thin belt over it. But avoid wide belts at work.
(If you need further help on how to add belts to your work-attire, you can mail on c3grooming@gmail.com).
Myth #5: I can't wear belts with tops or t-shirts. They look funny and take me no where..
Correction: Take a break from traditional t-shirts that end below your naval (near your jeans zipper). Either tuck them in and then add a broad belt, or indulge in long t-shirts, tunics, shirt-dresses, boy friend shirts, loose tops, etc and wear a belt over them (either thin or wide & combine leggings/tights with them). You'll be very surprised at where they take you!!
Do you have any other myths which are stopping you from wearing belts? Do tell me and I'll help you with a solution...!!
Remember, there is a belt made for every body structure, occasion and color-mood. You just need to pick the right one and set your own fashion rules. And do not accessorize too much if your wearing a belt, else you'll end up looking like an 80s star.
Do share your comments on how important belts are in your wardrobe...
And the spotlight of today's fashion are BELTS!
Belts today are available in endless colors, width, embellishments, styles and utility. Belts are a great way of drawing instant attention to your waist. While narrow belts give a delicate feminine look, wide belts take your outfit to a different level altogether. Belts in neon or eye-popping hues add glamour to your garments and belts give a definition to new entrants in fashion like the shirt-dresses or over-sized tops.
Many of you may not be comfortable or experimental in wearing a belt over your outfit - either because you have always been wearing it in the loops of your jeans or you have a tube tummy.
In either case, its time you break the myths...
Myth #1: I cannot find a right sized jeans and so have to use a belt to adjust the waist..
Correction: You need a brand-change. There are so many brands that have revolutionized jeans - like Jealous 21 offers different hip sizes in jeans since 2008 I guess, Levis has Curve ID. What's important is which ever brand of jeans you choose, take the one that fits you perfectly on your hips and thighs. The waist can be adjusted with a couple of darts on the inner side.
With the right sized jeans, you can experiment with tops and belts.
 |
| Tuck in the top and team up a thin contrast Belt |
 |
| Wear a broad Belt over a top over faded jeans |
Myth #2: I have a tyre-like tummy. So belts make my tummy look worse..
Correction: If you choose a slim belt, it will emphasize your bigger tummy. And the same thing will happen if you wear belts on your lower-waist. Try an over-sized belt! An over-sized belt will compliment your bigger tummy, by taking away all the attention from the tummy to the belt. If you wear it in contrasting colors with your outfit, it will look edgy.
You may also try wearing medium-wide belts on high waist (below the empire line). They will cut your large torso horizontally, giving a balanced look.
Myth #3: I am straight up and down. Belts just highlight that my body lacks curves..
Correction: Since your body lacks curves, firstly you need to create an illusion of curves by adding details at your shoulder and hips. Try extended sleeves, boat/high necks, padded/puffed shoulders on top & jodhpurs, jumpers, high-waist pant, etc on bottom.. (Read my post on "Exploring Column Body Shape with Anushka Sharma")
 |
| A bit loose tunic dress with leggings and contrasting metallic color belt with matching bracelet & watch. |
Myth #4: Who wears belts in office? Belts are only meant for parties!
Correction: Who said office attire has to be boring and bland? Except for a few sectors and industries where dress-code is strictly business formals (or you prefer to wear Indian formals), you can very much add a belt to your office attire. It will give your body a shape it definitely requires and will set you apart from the rest. Either tuck the shirt in and wear a thin waist-belt or take a bit longer shirt and wear a thin belt over it. But avoid wide belts at work.
(If you need further help on how to add belts to your work-attire, you can mail on c3grooming@gmail.com).
 |
| Thin belt over formal trousers, with blouse tucked in. |
Myth #5: I can't wear belts with tops or t-shirts. They look funny and take me no where..
Correction: Take a break from traditional t-shirts that end below your naval (near your jeans zipper). Either tuck them in and then add a broad belt, or indulge in long t-shirts, tunics, shirt-dresses, boy friend shirts, loose tops, etc and wear a belt over them (either thin or wide & combine leggings/tights with them). You'll be very surprised at where they take you!!
 |
| Boyfriend shirt with jeans and belt |
 |
| Shirt-dress with metallic leggings and black belt |
 |
| Over-sized Shirt Dress with thin Belt and Leggings |
Do you have any other myths which are stopping you from wearing belts? Do tell me and I'll help you with a solution...!!
Remember, there is a belt made for every body structure, occasion and color-mood. You just need to pick the right one and set your own fashion rules. And do not accessorize too much if your wearing a belt, else you'll end up looking like an 80s star.
Do share your comments on how important belts are in your wardrobe...
this is amazing! breaks my myth about NOT wearing a belt on regular t-shirts! I love it!