It’s a cinch
Tessie’s discussion of belted shirts reminded me of something very important I’ve been meaning to ask forever:
How in the world do you wear a belt over a sweater without:
- Making it look like you’re trying too hard
- Elevating your body shape to Super Pear-Shaped
- Eliciting a “head-shaking-in-disappointment” response from your husband after you’ve paired a plain brown leather belt over a blue striped sweater?
Look – the skinny, airbrushed models can do it! Why can’t I?
My questions are many:
- What kind of belt works and looks the best? Skinny, wide? Big buckle, small buckle?
- Should the belt be simple, or have a design (if worn with a solid-colored sweater)?
- Where do you wear the belt? Loosely above your hips or tightly around your waist? (Note: I am small-chested, with a small waist, but HIPS. In other words, I am the epitome of pear-shaped, which blows.)
- What kind of sweater works the best? Long, knee-length, flow-y sweaters or snug-fitting ones?
- What kind of pants am I supposed to wear with longer sweaters? Jeans look too bulky, (thanks, HIPS) so am I supposed to wear (god forbid) leggings?
Please help!
I suck at belts. I can barely just wear the normal kind on my jeans. The idea of putting one around my waist makes me shudder in horror. I have refused to buy otherwise-beautiful coats for the sole reason that they have non-detachable belts. I feel like the best place to find an answer to this question would be a women’s fashion magazine. Good luck. If you figure it out, post photos!
Also: the person who shook his head in disappointment was your HUSBAND. I still can’t get over that. I am trying to imagine using that word starting in one year.
Comment by Jess — November 2, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Even if I was the one you should ask, WHICH I’M NOT, I vote for the skinny belt, small buckle, over plain sweater and fairly tight around the waist.
I think if you are pear-shaped it would actually be flattering. You know, accentuates the waist. OR WHATEVER. Like I know.
Comment by Tessie — November 2, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Shauna,
You can do the following: 1)Pants, skinny jeans from the Gap. 2)Big belt right above the hips 3)use one of your million long sweaters.
Call me and we will go shopping. You can pull off the “cinched” look. You have the body to do so and we can go shopping or work with what you have right now.
I don’t don’t do the belt look because it looks really weird on me. So, give me a call and we will see what we can do
Comment by Michelle — November 2, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
The trick is to have:
1) No hips
2) No perceptible body fat
3) Unusual beauty
4) Good lighting
5) Expensive clothes custom-fitted to you
6) A stylist who knows exactly what goes with what
It’s easy!
Comment by Swistle — November 2, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
Shauna, I do not own a belt. It has been a long time since my waist was not the same size as my hips, when it should be the size of my breasts (a 36B on good days).
I really think Swistle has the best solution. Where do I sign up?
Comment by PixelPi — November 2, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
PS The November masthead rocks. I love it.
Comment by PixelPi — November 2, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
I don’t do belts well either. I’m a low on the waist gal myself. : )
Comment by kerrianne — November 2, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
There is no way. The only major belt move I’ve ever been able to pull off is when it’s built into a peacoat. I’ve seen some people pull it off nicely when the belt is almost the same color as the shirt, it’s medium sized, and has a pretty buckle.
Comment by m.g. — November 3, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
P.S. I was sent by Pixel!
Comment by m.g. — November 3, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
I know nothing about this, considering I’m not the belting type, but I’ll give it a shot, anyway: I think probably a skinny belt, with a proportional buckle, and maybe a not-too-snug, but not loose sweater of the longer variety so it covers the hips, and elongates the waist, and then i’m sure any well-fitting trouser will do. I think. Also, NOT leggings! Eeee! Why would any woman do that to herself? They look good on no one. They accentuate flaws, and even on super-skinny models, they just make legs look bony and unattractive. The leggings trend needs to die.
Comment by Amber — November 3, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
I think tall, skinny, and no hips are the key words in being able to wear a belt. I have bought some gorgeous ones which have hung in my closet gathering dust, because everytime I put them on I am disappointed and feel that I look better without the belt. I think a belt as an accessory makes a short person look shorter, because it’s a focal point, cutting your size in half. Now if there were other things about my appearance that I could cut in half, I’d be happy! But, like the others, what do I know?!
Comment by Becky — November 4, 2007 @ 7:55 am
O god I hate belts over sweaters. I disagree, I don’t think the models pulled it off either.
Comment by Penny — November 4, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Hi m.g.! Welcome!
And thanks, Pixel, for the referral! I love meeting new people.
Comment by Shauna — November 5, 2007 @ 12:37 pm