Ten Ways to Wear a Belt: Chic, Sustainable Style Tips for Every Outfit

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Ten Ways to Wear a Belt. Belts are one of the most underrated accessories in a wardrobe. They quietly shape the body, refine an outfit, and bring structure to silhouettes that might otherwise feel loose or unfinished. They’re also one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to refresh what you already own — a small accessory that offers a surprisingly big return.

In France, women often rely on subtle details to elevate their look — a beautifully knotted scarf, a perfectly chosen lipstick, or yes, a thoughtfully placed belt. It’s not about excess; it’s about intention. A belt allows you to work with your natural proportions, highlight your waist if you wish, and create fresh outfits from familiar pieces.

Below, you’ll find ten elegant and practical ways to wear a belt, from timeless styling ideas to clever little tricks that help you reimagine pieces already hanging in your wardrobe. Whether your style leans classic, romantic, minimalist, or bohemian, you’ll find at least one tip here that transforms the way you dress.

“It’s not what you spend but how you wear it that counts. The key is often to dress up inexpensive basics with accessories. Something like a beautiful designer bag or belt can make everything else look richer and more luxurious.” (Chloe sevigny)

I am a big fan of all accessories, as for me they really are the icing on the cake, and they can transform your outfit from dull to extraordinary! And a beautiful belt not only elevates your style, but can also make you look slimmer and accentuate your waist.

In general, make sure to wear the belt at your natural waist (the thinnest part of your body) and also opt for dress styles that include belts or patterns that draw in your eye at the waist.  

It was not so long ago, when belts were purely an afterthought—something just to hold your jeans up or maybe for the enlightened to define your waist in a dress!

But, now, belts really are one of the most popular accessories and come in all shapes and sizes from chain belts, rope belts, fabric belts, suede belts, narrow belts, wide belts, coloured belts, braided belts, tie belts, leather belts….. the list goes on!

And, it’s so easy to incorporate a belt into your look and who doesn’t love minimal effort for maximum impact? 

Of course, like any other accessory, there are factors and elements that come into play to successfully pull off and integrate a belt into your look so here’s my guide to wearing belts and looking amazing in them. 

Ten ways to wear a belt

1. Use a Belt to Emphasise Your Waist (or Create One)

A belt is your new best friend if you are an hourglass or a pear shape as it will show off your waist, but you can also use a belt to create the illusion of a waist if you are an inverted triangle or a rectangle. 

If you are an apple shape, wearing a belt is a little trickier, but can still look amazing – you just need to experiment to see where to cinch the belt to give the most flattering silhouette. 

If you prefer structure, choose a classic leather belt. If you like softness, try suede or a flexible wrap style. Light or bright colours draw attention, while darker tones blend gently.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure of your natural waist, stand straight and bend sideways gently — the crease that forms is your perfect belt placement.

2 Wear a Belt Bag for Style and Practicality

Belt bags (or ‘sac banane‘ in France) have returned as a stylish, streamlined accessory. When chosen well, they feel modern, functional, and surprisingly chic.

As well as looking stylish, they are also very practical for hands-free shopping and to deter pickpockets!

However, be careful that you don’t choose anything too bulky as this will just make you look larger than you really are!

As for how to wear it, you can wear it at your waist, as in the above photo for a more polished look or around your hips for a more relaxed and effortless look.

Pro Tip: For a more Parisian look, wear the belt bag slightly off-centre instead of directly in the middle.

3 Tie Your Belt in a Knot for an Effortlessly Chic Look

Not every belt needs to be buckled. Some of the most elegant looks come from looping, knotting, and wrapping.

Instead of buckling your belt, try looping the tail end of the belt across the buckle and tucking it behind the belt. Or try an Obi (sash/ wrap) belt. 

To tie an Obi belt, place the widest part (the centre part) of the belt to the front and pass the ends through the slit (as you would for a wrap dress) and tie at the front or the side. 

This works best with soft leather and fabric belts and looks so chic. Another great thing about the Obi belt is that it will still fit perfectly even if you lose or put on a bit of weight. 

Pro Tip: When wearing an obi belt, keep the knot slightly off-centre for a sophisticated, slimming line down the front of the body.

4 Use a belt to add a pop of colour or print to elevate/ change your look  

Adding a belt to your look will instantly style it up, and can be used to add a pop of colour to a monochrome look or a bit of sparkle (for example a gold or sequin belt with a blue or black dress).

Also, just changing your belt is a great way to wear the same clothes and yet look as if you’re wearing a different outfit! 

If you’re wearing separates, a shirt and trousers or a shirt and a skirt, then a belt is a great way to make the look more coordinated, by drawing in the colours of your outfit. 

Similarly, a belt is a great way to pull together an outfit where you are using several colours or prints. Just pick one of the accent colours to bring the whole look together. 

Pro Tip: If you want to shop more consciously, choose one statement belt each season that reinvents multiple outfits you already own.look.

5 Wear over your cardigan or sweater

Thick, textured cardigans and sweaters are great for keeping you warm, but less good for flattering your shape, as they can look a little boxy.  Adding a belt over the top brings back structure and balance.

This works especially well with long cardigans, oversized sweaters, tunic knits and textured wool pieces

Try wearing a belt over your cardigan to highlight your waist and look a little slimmer, and don’t be afraid to choose one in a pattern or a bright colour to brighten up any neutral sweater shades.

Pro Tip: If your cardigan has pockets, position the belt just above them — it visually narrows the waist and keeps the knit from bunching.

6 Belt a Blazer, Suit Jacket, or Coat for a French-Inspired Silhouette

Belting outerwear is a subtle French style trick. It gives instant definition, making even an oversized blazer look polished and intentional.

A slim black, tan, or metallic belt works beautifully over boyfriend blazers, wrap coats and lightweight trench coats.

It also looks amazing over a suit jacket and is great for transitioning from the workplace to after-work socialising – it adds structure and a touch of quiet glamour.

Pro Tip: Wear your blazer slightly open with a lace-trim cami underneath for a hint of femininity without revealing too much.

7 Belt a Loose Dress or Long Tunic

Loose dresses are wonderfully comfortable, but they can hide your shape if worn without structure. A belt instantly changes the silhouette — from boho and relaxed to refined and elegant.

Adding a belt will give you a bit more shape and you can choose to wear it at your natural waist to highlight your hourglass shape or you can cinch it at hip level for a drop-waist silhouette.

Pro Tip: Match the belt colour to your shoes or bag for effortless cohesion.

8 Belt a Fitted or Bodycon Dress for Sculpting

A belt isn’t just your best friend when it comes to loose dresses and tunics, it can also be your best friend when it comes to tight fitting and bodycon dresses. 

In this case, I would opt for a wide belt or a corset style belt that I would wear directly over any lumps and bumps to camouflage them!

Pro Tip: Place the belt slightly above the natural waist if you want to elongate the legs — a subtle but powerful styling trick.

9. Cinch a Jumpsuit for a Better Fit

If you love jumpsuits but struggle with the fit at the waist, a belt is your best friend. Whether the jumpsuit is too loose, too straight, or simply missing the structure you prefer, a belt creates the effect of a perfectly tailored piece.

I often have a problem with jumpsuits that just don’t fit right at the waist (not to mention the bathroom problem I also have with jumpsuits!).

Adding a belt works especially well with: denim jumpsuits, soft crepe jumpsuits, wide-leg silhouettes and sleeveless jumpsuits to create a more elegant look (it does not however help with the bathroom problem – in fact it probably exacerbates it!)

Pro Tip: Choose a belt in the same tone as your jumpsuit for a seamless, elongating look.

10 Use a Scarf as a Belt for Creativity and Colour

Get a little creative and try using a scarf as a belt. This will add a pop of colour to your outfit and looks particularly good with jeans and shorts. 

This is one of the easiest, most sustainable ways to add personality to your outfit.
Thread a silk scarf through your belt loops or just knot it at the side for a light, feminine finishing touch.

It works beautifully with jeans, shorts, linen trousers and simple dresses

Pro Tip : This is also a wonderful way to wear vintage scarves that deserve to be seen more often.

Conclusion — The Power of a Belt

Belts are small but transformative. They allow you to define your shape, elevate simple outfits, and make your wardrobe feel twice as versatile — without needing to buy new pieces. They’re also an effortless way to add a little French-inspired je ne sais quoi to your everyday style.

With these ten ideas, you can refresh the clothes you already own, express your personal aesthetic, and build outfits that make you feel confident and beautifully put-together.

If you don’t normally wear belts, you may want to experiment a little with the most flattering (and comfortable) place for you to wear them, but in general, belts will always be most flattering when worn on the narrowest part of your body. 

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With love,