We like big belts and we cannot lie

Double Trouble

Sometimes a single buckle just does not cut it. At times like these just bring out two. Coming out symmetrically from both ends to create a bigger centre buckle, these look great when paired with casuals, and is an easy way to step up your denim game. Most double buckles come in silver buckles over black belts, and stand out over black jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Swipe out the white t-shirt for a black top to instantly change from day to night wear. Finish off with a boot and slim silver jewellery to tie the look together.

Wrapped Ribbons

As the name suggests, these are belts that you wrap around your waist without using any sort of belt hoop. Because these do not come with your traditional buckle, you can tie them anyway you want. Be it a bow, or let it stray loose like a martial arts belt, either ways, these wrapped belts are a fun way to add dimension to a flat outfit, and are mostly seen over evening wears. Velvets and silk, are what one should look for to get the most impact out of a wrapped belt. Wrapped belts are wide, and the best escape for when your top does not match your bottom, as this acts as a transition in between.

Bedazzled

Sometimes, we all need a little bling in our outfits, and jewellery does not have to be the only way to achieve that. Bedazzled belts are mostly seen on runways, but they can also be sported on special occasions too, especially with formals. A lot of us struggle to make our pantsuits look more than a job interview outfit, but the right belt can be the solution to that, where every inch is covered with studs and stones for a dazzling outcome. These will take any boring old pantsuit to the next level and make them evening-wear worthy. Just make sure to put the belt over your blazer instead of through the loops, as this will create a cinched waist and will make your pant suit stand out.

Crossovers

Cross belts will somewhat remind one of the era of renaissance, and somewhat of cowboys, but rest assured, the ones we find today fit into our modern ensembles perfectly, and give just the right amount of bulkiness that a plain outfit requires. Coming in layers, this creates a heavy silhouette and hence, the belt should be the uppermost accessory, without any coats or jackets over it, which will create unnecessary clutter.

Worn casually, crossed belts can be worn over jeans, shirts or any everyday outfit that you want to jazz up a little bit.

Ivory Waistlines

Blacks and browns are the traditional or 'safe' colours for a big belt, and white is more often avoided. But with the right dress at the right time, a wide white belt can make just as much a statement, if not more. They pair well with light wash jeans, white tees, over floral summer dresses for a toned down look, or over a black dress for a more elegant combination. They can also be worn over white dresses too when you have a standout buckle that pops.

Love for Animals

We love animals and dazzling fun patterns, which makes faux animal skin our best friend. Crocodile and snake skin are two of the most popular when it comes to belts, and are an amazing way to add texture to a dress. These add a certain warmth to any outfit, and even more so when the buckles have warm tones too. Opt for strong and square resin buckles in contrasting animal patterns for a pattern-rich combination to spice up any plain dress. Pair this with similar resin jewellery and leave the base outfit in block colours for maximum effect.

Chained Waists

A chain by itself creates a slim belt, and while it looks pretty great, it looks better when there are multiple thick chains clumped together to create a metal belt. Less on the casual side, thick chain belts are more used in evening wear for their glamorous outlook. There are a handful of ways one can style these. The thicker the chains, the better it will suit the look of a cinched waistline. These make your regular jeans look more polished, and pair well with warm animal prints. On the other hand, one can layer these chained belts on top of leather ones if you want to emphasize on your belt further.

Skirt Belts

If there is a belt you can wear with pants, we are more than sure it can be sported on a skirt as well. Over time, we have categorised belts into pant-belts and dress-belts, but the skirt often gets left out. From chained belts on black skirts for an evening look, and a white belt on a formal pencil skirt for work, to animal prints on a ruffled skirt and double buckles on straight skirts, there are few rules to follow here.

One does not need a different belt for each category of outfit — a little mixing and matching the same belt can serve you well from your morning denim to evening dress with little adjustments to the rest of the wardrobe.

No matter what the rest of the ensemble is, a big belt can dress up absolutely any outfit being the statement piece it is. This is a simple yet great way to add structure or some funk to any outfit, without having to do much. It is also great as a jewellery alternative for those who do not like to wear too much jewellery, yet seek a little glitz in their outfits. Overall, belts, even though they are a fashion statement piece, are without a doubt, a necessity, making them an investment for your wardrobe.

Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel

Model: Antora, Ema

Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha

Makeup: Farzana Shakil's Makeover Salon

Location: Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka