'FIGURE' OUT THE FASHION TREND: BELTS

BELTS

We are going to take a look at BELTS!

Belts are becoming a very important must have to our arsenal of accessories, they transform our outfits from drab to elegant or visa versa transforms a plain look into a look of sophistication. Let’s examine how important they are and what they could do for our total look.

Here is an article by Cynthia Nellis written for About.com/Women's Fashion about belts that could be helpful to us:

How to Wear a Belt

Wear a Belt to Play Up a Small Waist

One of the best ways to wear a belt is to show off a small waist like Jennifer Lopez does here. She chose a narrow belt in the same color as the dress for an overall slimming effect. The thin belt, worn at the smallest part of her waist, brings the eye to her trim torso.

Wear a Belt to Add Polish to a Casual Look

Although untucked tops have been the trend for the past few years, we're seeing a return to polished casual looks like Kate Moss is wearing. The addition of a belt on low-rise jeans gives it a mod, casual chic vibe and pulls the entire look together. A wider leather belt like this also completes a simple jean and T-shirt look.

Wear a Belt to Ground a Print

Sometimes a print can look overwhelming on its own, and a black or dark belt can "ground" the print like it does for Chandra Wilson. This somewhat newer way to wear a belt works great on almost all figures.

Wear a Belt Buckle as a Piece of Jewelry

Make your waist a focal point with a fabulous belt buckle that doubles as a piece of jewelry like Katie Aselton does here. While her look is definitely dressy, you can also use this concept by adding a Western-style buckle to your casual looks to jazz them up.

Wear a Belt to Rein in Volume

Big, loose layers aren't flattering on anyone, so the best way to create a feminine silhouette is to add a belt to your top layers. Lauren Sweetser adds a braided belt over a casual vest and t-shirt to create a slim look that's casual and flattering.

Wear a Belt to Pull Separates Together

If you want to get more mileage out of your separates by mixing and matching pieces, add a belt to pull it all together, like Kristin Davis does, here. Your belt color doesn't need to match your bag, shoes or separates, but the look is most cohesive if your belt goes with (either matches or contrasts with) one major element of your look. For example, if your separates consist of a white blouse, black skirt and red jacket, the easiest belt color to choose would be black because it matches the skirt.

Wear a Belt to Dress Down a Formal Look

Nothing looks chicer than mixing together formal and casual looks for a unique style. Kristin Stewart takes a dressy look, a sequin tank dress, and makes it look modern with a simple brown leather belt.

Wear a Belt to Create an Hourglass Figure

Use a belted waist to create the illusion of an hourglass figure -- like LuAnn de Leseeps does here with a belted sheath -- if you have a thick waist or boyish figure.

Wear a Hip Belt to Balance Your Figure

Not all belts need to be at the waist. Alice + Oliva founder, Stacy Bendet, pulls off an adorable eclectic look by placing a belt low on the hips over a full short skirt. Wearing a hip belt -- whether it's on a tunic or a low-slung skirt or dress -- visually lengthens the torso and gives short-waisted women the illusion of a balanced figure.

Wear a Studded Belt to Add Edge

Take a cue from First Lady Michelle Obama who uses this fashion trick often: add a studded leather belt to basics to give everything you own an edgy look. The trick is to keep other accessories free from studs (there is a thing as too much embellishment.)

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ALEXANDER McQUEEN