It wasn’t until recently that I realized how right my mom was about fashion when I was at the peak of my teenage rebellion. It was the era of bumster skinny jeans and I rolled my eyes every time she suggested, "I think you might need a belt with that." Back then, I thought belts were too formal and chunky to be cool. My skinny jeans were skin-tight anyway so I dismissed any further reinforcement. Years later, I might still leave the house with my hair wet and belt-less just to feel young again, but whenever I want to elevate a look, I belt it. Belts have the power to make jeans appropriate for the office. Mid-torso or around the hips, these accessories really pull an outfit together (literally and metaphorically). So, whenever I feel like something is missing, I search for a belt.
Like most accessories, belts change with the style, shape, and hardware of your wardrobe. Here is a list of our favorite braided, skinny, large buckle, chain, corset, embellished, vegan, and reversible belts at every single price point.
Braided Belts
If you’re looking for a casual belt that will go with everything, start here. Braided brown leather belts are great to travel with because they rarely lose their shape stuffed into the corner of your suitcase. They also pull together a flowy white sundress like it's their job.
Skinny Belts
A quality belt with a metal buckle is a wardrobe staple. After all, a classic jean belt can elevate your go-to outfit when you have no idea what to wear. Any of these would pair perfectly with a black bodysuit and jeans.
Large Buckle Belt
Fashion and functionality collide with these high-quality, heavy-duty belt buckles. Any one of these would also stand out amongst the sea of replicated best sellers worn by everyone else around you.
Chain Belts
It’s like a necklace for your waist, but better. While full-grain leather belts are great, there’s just something about a chain belt. As a bonus, you don’t have to stress about your belt size or waist preferences when you’re shopping for a chain belt. These are a few of our favorites.
Corset Belts
If you’re looking for a new black leather dress belt or a way to level-up your white button-down shirt, consider a corset. They can pull together both casual outfits and more work-ready looks.
Embellished Belts
While we’d never judge anyone for keeping it simple, most fashion icons rock a personal collection of embellished belts. So, if you’re tired of the classic brown belts or black belts in your closet, consider gemstones or studs.
Vegan Belts
Genuine leather belts are great, but these vegan finds are arguably better. If you’re looking for a new belt that is as animal-friendly as your favorite grain bowl, you don’t need to purchase real leather. While Amazon has a few vegan options too, we love these waistline-accentuating, high-quality finds from Nanushka, H&M, and GAP.
Reversible Belts
“Two-in-one” fashion accessories are few and far between. Enter: reversible belts. Reversible belts are always worth the investment, promising to double the outfit combinations that you can assemble.
Now, once your closet is stocked with all of the above, you might need a belt bag too.
Want more stories like this?
7 Ways to Own Barbiecore Style
Coming Up Roses: The Accessories We Are Currently Obsessed With
Add to Cart: The Pre-Summer Splurge