Obviously, belts have been on the fashion scene for seasons and seasons by now. So have mini-dresses, gladiator sandals, ethnic prints, etc… But belts are different. Why? Because literally everyone can wear them, regardless of your dress size, foot width, height, skin color – belts are universally flattering! Honestly!

Belting an article of clothing (or two) will not only define your shape, but flatter it! A properly placed belt will nip in your waist and allow your clothes to truly shine.

Though, if you’re new to belts, the world is a big daunting when it comes to navigation. There are so many types of belts, kinds of belts, belt materials, uses… It can easily become overwhelming.

I’ve done my best to list out the most important belt uses/types (illustrated with celebrities – woohoo!) to ease the potential pain of the wide world of belts.

(Pay attention, there might be a test!)

The Belts

Let’s start with the basics: With an easy casual outfit like this, stick to neutral, leather belts. Wearing a gigantic, colorful belt with an otherwise simple outfit can easily look tacky. A nice leather (or leather-like) belt will polish to an outfit, and if you find one with a classy (but creative) metal buckle – go for it! As long as it’s left as the statement piece in the outfit.

A black belt (Kate Moss) will add more sophistication to an outfit while a brown belt (Sienna Miller) will keep the look more casual.

Any shape or size can wear a simple belt with jeans or slacks.

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If you’re ready to step into the next level of belt adornment, try slipping one on and positioning it where your top and skirt meet, just Shenae Grimes or American Idol contestant Alexis Grace. Not only does this add an element of visual interest while creating a narrow, defined waist, but it can turn a shirt/skirt combo into a completely new outfit!

Or, if you have a dress that has been designed to look like a skirt and a top, adding a belt will make the two halves look like completely different articles of clothing – that’s two more garments you’ve magically added to your wardrobe!

A skinny belt works best for this, in my opinion, but for a more casual look like Ms. Grace, a funky belt will work, too. It’s best if the belt sits on your natural waist. If your skirt rests on your hips, don’t try to belt it, as it’ll make your hips look like the narrowest part of you, making you look wider than you naturally are.

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Ready for the next step in belt acceptance? Alright, grab your favorite dress – any color is fine, but a solid color is preferable! Now, search for a belt in the same color family, like Jenny Garth, or if you’re still a little apprehensive, the same color, like Jennifer Garner.Belt it at your natural waist, and you’ve just completely upgraded your basic, solid-color dress!

This is a pretty universal method of belting. It will work with structured dresses (J. Garner) or for sweet, soft jersey concoctions (J. Garth) as long as the belt remains on your natural waist. If your dress is a little blousier (more fabric, less shape), no worries! Belt at the waist, then pull out just a little around the bust. This will actually make your waist look narrower since the top is now a little more voluminous.

Even more good news? Almost any belt can achieve this look! Skinny, wide, buckle-y, basic… Your pick!

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If you’re ready for something a little more daring and creative, grab a dress (solid, patterned or… otherwise?) and take good, conscious note of the colors. Now, select a belt (once again, skinny or wide – whatever!) whose color doesn’t match, but instead corresponds with the colors in your dress… For instance, Blake Lively‘s cream and black lace getup is basically asking for a light, creamy pink belt. Helena Christensen represents a “safer” option by using a basic black belt to pop the pink in her magnificent dress.

This method (and the color-coordinating method) are executed best with longer dresses or skirts… Think near-knee length. This keeps it classy, and offers the best proportions for belting. If you wrap a belt around a mini-skirt, your legs will definitely look a million miles long, but your top half will look thicker and weightier than it really is (if you have some “chestiness”), so stick to something a little bit longer. If you’re a little smaller in the bust, give it a try with a mini and judge for yourself!

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If you don’t have a skinny belt in your wardrobe at this moment, I highly suggest that you grab one immediately! Skinny belts (despire their name) are ideal for every body type… on one condition: it fits you properly (see The Belt Acquisition Process). Skinny belts are usually around 1″ wide, so they don’t take too much shape away when you wear them around your waist.

Skinny belts in metallic colors are really valuable as they add very delicate touches to most dresses. Kristin Chenoweth exemplifies this idea with her gold belt and orange dress. The metallic doesn’t distract from the beautiful, bold color, but it does feminize the outfit a bit, as well as add some shape. Tyra Banks has combined the contrasting color and skinny belt to maximize her beautiful Jackie O. dress from Black Halo. It goes to show that any “basic” dress can be transformed with the aid of some accessories!

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Oh, then there are wide belts. Things get a little tricky with this shape of a belt. Wide belts tend to… do a disservice to more voluptuous ladies, or women with a little more meat on their bones. When I (as an example of a “more voluptuous woman”) wear a wide belt around my waist, the only thing that really get accentuated is… my lovehandles. It’s not a good look. If you’ll notice, in the Accentuating The Positive experiment, I did wear a wide belt, but it was positioned just under my bust, around my ribcage. This allows for the natural waist to seem “in line” with your ribcage (potentially the second narrowest part of your upper half), and creates more of an empire waist effect.

For women on the thinner side, wide belts at the waist can really add some curves (if you want ‘em). Mary-Kate Olsen definitely knows how to up the ante in the drama department. Her wide, studded belt (from Matthew Williamson for H&M)not only shows off her figure, but if you look at close, she looks like she’s got a nipped waist, and some great curves at the hip! Mandy Moore, on the other hand, used her wide belt to temper the volume in her adorable dress.

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Oh, here’s the fun part! A creative belt is basically defined as an “unconventional” belt, or a belt with embellishments, an unusual fastening method, or a belt that’s got some seriously high drama. Kim Kardashian‘s belt has a huge, wide buckle that’s been decorated with geometric stones and shapes. Because of the monochromatic palette of the best, she can get away with wearing it alongside a semi-busy, complicated outfit. Jessica Alba‘s obi-style belt definitely defines her waist, but the hanging ties from the belt completely change the feel of the dress… Would the look be as captivating without it?

I suggest starting a collection of creative belts, as they’re good for so many things! Tyra Banks, Jennifer Garner, Mary-Kate, and Jenny Garth‘s outfits could all have been worn with a creative belt instead of their choices. Creative belts work best on a blank canvas (i.e. a solid, print-less frock) so they can hog the limelight, as they deserve.

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The Belt Acquisition Process

It’s come to my attention recently that some women are still afraid to try belts! Whether it’s because of the variety, price, or apprehension regarding the “how to wear” part of the process, I’m unsure. Here are some tips on belt purchasing, so you can be sure to select the perfect belts for your body!

1. Sizing

Naturally, you’d think that your belt size and your pant size would be pretty much the same, as they both fit you around the same area of the body. However, it’s suggested that you go one size up from your regular pant or skirt size because, if you think about it, the ends of a belt don’t perfectly match up when you’re wearing them. One end overlaps the other by a good few inches, so a belt that fits you perfectly won’t look right once it’s on.

So if you’re a 32 in jeans, try a 34″ or 35″ belt, etc.

2. Materials

While I do love animals, I’m not opposed to leather belts. They’re durable, long-lasting, and just generally more beautiful than their synthetic counterparts. Also, if you get your hands on a good, worn-in leather belt, you’ll never find anything more comfortable to wear with your favorite pair of jeans.

Cotton belts are great around summer dresses and skirt, less great when worn with jeans.

Woven, or rope belts are very cute when worn with jeans, sandals and a summery top.

Patent leather/pleather belts are dramatic, so be cautious of how you use them. A patent leather belt whose color matches your dress is always a good idea, but be extremely wary of patterned patent belts… They’re pretty much all tacky (that I’ve seen).

The Big Test!

This is Lauren Conrad. She needs a belt. Which belt should she try with her white mini-dress?

Leave your answer and/or thoughts in the comments!