Why a belt is the wardrobe saviour
THE INSPIRATION
Belts seem to be the Marmite of wardrobes – and I have a theory as to why: it’s not a love-or-loathe scenario, but rather one of total intimidation. I’ll be honest, even I’m intimidated by some of the avant-garde creations that come down the runways these days.
But belts don’t have to be the defining statement in an outfit. I like to think of them more as a finishing touch. They are an accessory that has a versatility like nothing else at your disposal.
A belt can define a waist, give structure to a garment, add colour, inject sparkle or all of the above. It can be an accessory that peeks through under a cardigan or it can take centre stage over a dress.
A belt can play many roles in an ensemble, yet all too often I see it left behind as an accessory that is not chosen by the masses, but rather only considered by those in the fashion world. I may be going out on a limb here, but I think that might have something to do with confidence in women and their waistlines.
I’ll be the first to hold my hand up, as a 40-plus woman who wears a size 18, to say that belts were not always even an option for me. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to wear them, it had everything to do with finding belts that would fit me. Uncovering a belt that would lasso these hips was close to impossible.
And then I found myself slightly uncomfortable with just how much attention a belt brought my hourglass figure. To leap over this hurdle, I began by wearing belts under cardigans or blazers. I then graduated to fastening them on top of oversized shirts and dresses. I allowed the belt to give me a waist while letting the garment take centre stage. I basically eased my way into my adoration of belts.
But I can tell you this much, since beginning my love affair with this accessory, I’ve never looked back and am now a collector with a sizeable collection.