Belting How*To
Glancing Girl here …
A few days ago I received an e-mail from a reader asking me to be more explicit in my instruction to embrace belting this fall.
So…I gathered a few images to share and hopefully you’ll find them helpful.
There are lots of ways to belt … I’ve chosen just a couple to highlight in this post.
I’ve mentioned Emerson Made before – she handcrafts adorable flower pins.
More than one blogger has commented on her very J.Crew vibe, which is probably why I like her style so much.
Anyway, from both images you can see that she has chosen a thin leather belt to define the waist of a buttoned cardigan. The skirt is a cute choice, but it might just as easily be denim.
And she could have chosen to throw a jacket or blazer on over the cardigan, for a more layered look.
The flower pin sells the ensemble though – it would be much too boring without it.
But the same sparkle could be achieved by layering a few necklaces, or knotting a scarf around the neck.
More than one blogger has commented on her very J.Crew vibe, which is probably why I like her style so much.
Anyway, from both images you can see that she has chosen a thin leather belt to define the waist of a buttoned cardigan. The skirt is a cute choice, but it might just as easily be denim.
And she could have chosen to throw a jacket or blazer on over the cardigan, for a more layered look.
The flower pin sells the ensemble though – it would be much too boring without it.
But the same sparkle could be achieved by layering a few necklaces, or knotting a scarf around the neck.
This is one of my favorite examples of using a belt because the ensemble relies so heavily on
layering.
The stylist has limited herself (or himself) to neutral tones, layering a frilly tank underneath a cardigan with a simple print, creating a defined waist with the belt, and adding a drape cardigan on top.
The necklace adds a bit of kitsch, which I really like, and the length of the drape cardigan is crucial to this look.
It only works because of the length – it wouldn’t be right at all if it was the same or even close to the same length as the belted tank/button cardigan.
Adorable!
layering.
The stylist has limited herself (or himself) to neutral tones, layering a frilly tank underneath a cardigan with a simple print, creating a defined waist with the belt, and adding a drape cardigan on top.
The necklace adds a bit of kitsch, which I really like, and the length of the drape cardigan is crucial to this look.
It only works because of the length – it wouldn’t be right at all if it was the same or even close to the same length as the belted tank/button cardigan.
Adorable!
I love this ensemble because the simple brown leather belt paired with the luminescent gray silk is such an unexpected choice.
The little pucker the belt creates at the top of the fabric is so charming, don’t you think?
This look relies on a very skinny belt, which is really being used more for a bit of sparkle than defining a waistline – although it does that a bit as well.
The gold of the belt reflects the stacked bracelets, adding a nice pop in a bit of an unexpected place. The ruffle of the tank adds interest to a look that would otherwise be a bit too streamlined and plain.
And for a totally different look, this ensemble uses a wide belt to give shape to an otherwise shapeless dress.
Shapeless is a big no-no for me {for everyone}, there must be a bit of curve somewhere.
Can you imagine what this would look like without the belt?
Ugh!
Amazing what a little belt can do for a girl…
I hope these images can begin to guide you toward working with belts in your fall attire!
I promise this won’t be the last time I focus on the how-to of belting.
May I suggest you check out the outfit images on Anthropologie and Madewell for other inspirational belted ensembles?
{pc|Emerson Made, J.Crew, Haute Hippie}
xoxo
