Put A Belt On It

With the last couple of years being all about oversized outerwear, it’s no surprise to see this “trend” surface. If you’re not ready to give up your big coats just yet, but are looking for something different, here’s a simple way to change up your outerwear without having to do all that much.

PUT A BELT ON IT.

For some reason, it seems like everyone is belting their coats these days and I can’t help but think it’s because people are looking to do something different with their coats and jackets, without having to buy entirely new ones. Outerwear isn’t cheap, my friends. I always say if you invest in ANYTHING in your wardrobe (this includes shoes, bags, jewelry and any type of clothing) it should be outerwear (at least if you live in Chicago or somewhere equally as freezing right about now). Because you have to wear these things everyday for so long, you don’t necessarily want to look exactly the same everyday…and having a different coat for each day of the week is unrealistic. So the perfect way to change up your look? Belt your coat. It’s that easy.

Now this won’t necessarily look right on all outerwear but if you try on a waist belt (make sure it’s meant for the waist, otherwise it will be too big for what you’re trying to accomplish) with a coat you already own, you’ll be able to tell if the proportions are right. Plus, you instantly get a waist. And who doesn’t love that? If you’re new to belts, I’d suggest starting with a skinny style but only if the coat you pair it with isn’t super voluminous. If it is, a skinny belt won’t do much…except get lost in all the fabric.

If you’re more advanced in the belting world (truth be told, I am not) try something bolder (thicker, a double wrap, perhaps even a triple wrap). And this is one you can wear with a wider variety of coats (including wider coats). Again, this is about trial and error, so start with a belt and coat you already own and take it from there.

Belts are one of those things that people are all about or completely ignore. I tend to completely ignore them, although they’re one of those simple things that instantly make your look more “styled” (just like a hat or cuffed sleeves…works like a charm). I have a few belts of my own, but I really only wear this one black skinny belt (that I honestly think came with a dress I bought in college and I’ve just had the belt ever since…thankfully the dress is long gone). I typically just wear it with jeans, and only if you’ll be able to see the belt loops. For some reason, I have this mindset that if your shirt is short enough to see the belt loops or you’re tucking your shirt in (half-tuck is my favorite…another way to look more “styled”) then there should be a belt through those loops. Other than that, I’d say I’m belt-less 90% of the time. But after doing a little browsing (there are some badass belts out there) and getting inspired by these ladies who belt their outerwear oh-so-perfectly, I’m starting to think I might move a little closer to becoming a belt person. Maybe, just maybe.

Now if you’ve already tried the belts you currently own and they aren’t working with your outerwear, don’t you worry for a second. You know I have you covered.

What do you think of belting your outerwear? Are you into it? If so, do you prefer do choose the belt/coat combo yourself or would you rather purchase pre-belted outerwear? (like that Burberry coat above). ARE YOU GOING TO PUT A BELT ON IT?

Images via Pinterest and Style.com