There are plenty of styles available for modern belts. Choosing the right belt given all these options can be overwhelming especially if you don't know what to look for in the first place. Much like any wise purchase, it's important to keep your senses about you when buying belts that you can actually use. Make a mental inventory of all the clothes you already have and choose belts that will complement those styles.
Function
Dress belts are usually made of leather and is used mostly for office wear. The simplest of all belts, it has a very utilitarian look consisting mainly of the strap and buckle with little or no embellishments. They are usually placed at the hips within the pant loops for anchoring the pants and refining its look.
Fashion belts, however, are never without an accent or two. They can come with stylish straps, whimsical buckles or a combination of both. They can be worn at the hips or waist with the main purpose of sprucing up an outfit. They can range from skinny to wide, elegant to rustic, and everything else in between.
In choosing belts that combine both fashion and function, stick to simple styles that emphasize either only the strap or the buckle. Simple patent or leather straps with jewel-studded clasps give off a sleek look. Animal print straps with plain buckle closures have a fun yet subdued feel. These styles transition well from day to night.
Width
Skinny belts are common among dress belts because of its simple yet sophisticated appeal. These are also more tasteful options when wearing belts with distinct prints and patterns. Skinny belts subtly widens if worn at the hips and cinches if worn at the waist because its delicate slimness contrasts with the widening effect of horizontal lines.
Wide belts are the more adventurous alternative. Its expansive coverage make it a prominent feature of your ensemble. These can also be worn at the hips or waist. Wide waist belts are best worn with simple straps and a beautiful buckle or accent. Wide hip belts look great with multiple metal hardware or closures, and also with elaborate braided or perforated leather.
The width of your belt helps to enhance or minimize certain areas of your body. Depending on how it's worn, wide belts can broaden the hips or the waist, especially if it has a lighter color than your outfit. Skinny belts also widens the hips, like all horizontals do, but in a subtler way. If worn at the waist, skinny belts have a narrowing effect especially if it's darker than your outfit.
Material
Leather or patent are tougher materials that are best worn at the hips over jeans or thick fabrics to avoid cutting the skin. Some leather belts can be worn at the waist such as skinny belts or corset-type belts that are properly shaped to accommodate curves. Leather belts also come in various styles such as studded, woven, perforated, textured and much more.
Elastic belts are made of garter or stretch material and usually has a mirrored clasp closure as its accent. These are usually worn at the waist where it can be easily anchored without riding up. These are ideal for women with skinny or shapeless waists since the elastic shows every curve thus giving you a more shapely figure.
Sashes are made of non-elastic fabrics that are either tied or looped through a pull-through closure. An obi belt is a Japanese-inspired style which is made of a sash with a ribbon or belt wrapped over it. These belts are great for women with curvy middles since the sash disguises the actual shape of the waist.
Textures, Patterns and Prints
Textures are often applied to leather belts to create subtle yet beautiful details. Studded, braided, and other surfaces are great examples of textured belts. Animal skins like leopard, reptile and similar styles is an example of a combination of texture and patterns. These are considered the most sophisticated of belt styles.
Patterns like stripes, plaid and similar designs are fun and playful styles. Graphic prints have a more vintage or grunge feel depending on the details used. These designs are great for those with bohemian or individualistic styles. These patterns and prints are best worn in casual occasions and rarely work in professional settings.
Prints or patterns are best worn with one-color or non-pattern dresses to avoid the clash of colors - and yes, even if the patterns match. They are also more tasteful if paired with belts that have minimal coverage such as skinny belts. Wide belts with printed or patterned straps can be tough to pull off with class.
Buckles and Accents
A tang buckle is the most common and most reliable type of belt closure. Tang buckles can also be stylish especially if its given custom shapes and detailing. For some, this is a very utilitarian look that is favored more by men than by women. To achieve a more feminine look, choose subtle styles or those smaller in size that make the buckles almost unrecognizable.
A clasp is more ideal for fashion belts with mirrored closures since these are usually made of elastic material which are not sturdy enough for holing to connect the strap ends. There are elaborate clasp designs but opt for simple styles if you plan on using them regularly. Some leather belts also use a clasp closure which is a better look for women than tang buckles.
Having a beautiful buckle is a very effective way to glam up your look. However, not all belts have buckles such as in a sash or tie-belt, for example. These are perfect especially for generic dresses that could use a little something extra for a more personalized look. These belts are the perfect stage for accents whether it be a beautiful ribbon, brooch or flower pin.
Which Belt Should You Wear
In choosing the right belt for your wardrobe, think of which styles would complement your personal style. If you have a lot of neutral colors, choose textured or patterned belts that fall on the same color scheme of your outfit such as leopard belts for khaki, zebra or black-and-white plaid for an all-black ensemble, and so forth. But if you have colorful outfits, choose simple belts such as skinny ribbons, leather with simple buckles, or elastic belts in a contrasting color.
Wide belts are best worn by long-waisted women while skinny belts look best on petite figures. Medium-sized belts which measure around an inch thick will look good on almost all body shapes. You can also use belts to offset certain features such as wearing corset belts to create curves or wearing a dark-colored, wrap-around belt or ribbon along your waist in order to minimize it. For narrow hips, you can wear thick or light-colored belts along your hips to widen its appearance.