If you're ready for a fun fashion ride this spring and summer, buckle up -- belts are the way to go.
Style experts are touting their versatility, not only as a finishing touch to a pair of jeans, but as a pop of color on a trendy dress or a Bohemian accent on a tunic top.
"It's not uncommon to hear a woman talk about her belt wardrobe this season," says Betsy Thompson, fashion spokeswoman at Talbots. "Whether cinched at the waist or slung slightly below, the right belt can add that sought-after touch."
Michael Fink, Saks Fifth Avenue vice president and women's fashion director, says belts are a practical investment that will continue into fall, and they're also one of the easiest ways to update a wardrobe.
"They showed up on the fashion runways to control all of that volume going on with balloon dresses, tent dresses and tunics," he says. "A belt gives you a waist and a shape."
Diana Fine, senior women's belt designer for Fossil, agrees that wide-waist belts are the solution for "giving a feminine, small-cinched waist look to the flowing, unconstructed silhouettes" that define the new season. Patent leather belts in bright colors are a must-have accessory, she says, as are those with modern hardware shapes and metallic accents.
Some of the popular styles from Fossil include a studded screen-print 1 1/2-inch-wide casual belt with interesting stitching techniques, a 2-inch contour waist belt with a covered buckle and a patent leather style with an oval center bar buckle and high-shine plating.
"Shiny accents are also important to add life to the simple spring fashions," Fine says.
Linda Bucci, owner of Linda Bucci boutique in Shadyside, says women are sporting belts with dresses, over blouses and sweaters, and with jackets for a fresh, new look for spring.
"It's not just through the belt loops anymore," she says.
Bucci says she has sold a variety of beautiful leather belts with embellished buckles, and people love wearing oblong scarves as belts. Women also are recycling thin belts from their closets to pair with a new outfit or wear a different way.
At Roberta Weissburg Leathers, also in Shadyside, belts are everywhere -- in cowboy decor vintage western looks, to stylish casual, classic and novelty belts from the Brighton line. One of Weissburg's favorite accessories is a plain suede belt with a carved antique silver rose buckle from Jose Luis.
"Buckles are coming in less glitzy and sparkly, and leather is soft and textural," she says.
The cowboy looks, in antique finish with vintage western graphics, or with buckles in floral designs, continue to be popular, according to Weissburg.
"They're really sweet," she says, "even if you don't have any other western apparel, it's nice to have one in your wardrobe."
The wide leather styles are only a jumping-off point for the possibilities of belts this season. But they're still a major part of the trend, according to Fine at Fossil.
"For jean looks, colorful, studded and adorned styles are extremely important," she says.
Tips for updating fashions with a belt
From Betsy Thompson, Talbots:
- White belt in patent leather: Fun worn over a denim trench
- Metallic braided belt: Looks great with white, denim and black to wear all summer long
- Macrame and rope belts: A sporty and casual touch in step with nautical looks
- Oblong scarf: Use as a waist sash. Dual-plus purpose is key.
From Mary Lou Andre, Dressingwell.com:
- Oversized patent leather belts: Great way to create waist interest over long summer cardigan sweaters and tunics
From Michael Fink, Saks Fifth Avenue:
- Exotic belts, real or faux croc or python: Show them off over a cropped suit jacket
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