The Belt

I once was people watching at Suvarnabhumi airport. As I sat at a coffee house waiting for my flight, I tried to understand people’s style and how they express them through their clothes. People had all kinds of outfit. Some were trying so hard. Some were dressing inappropriately for their age. Some were fine. Some were okay. Some were elegant. Some were sloppy. And there were the rest of us who don’t really care.

But then this woman passes by. She was not the most beautiful or the most fit.  She was not even clad in glamourous, expensive clothes. She had a simple dress on with small prints. But something about her made her look put together. She was wearing the often overlooked and under appreciated accessory. The Belt.

Yes, the shoes and bags get all the attention and many waist - conscious woman shy away from belts, thinking that they will bring attention to the problem areas. Yet, a belt can make a person look slimmer, pulled together, accentuate curves and add a touch to an otherwise boring outfit. They give the illusion of a waist by cutting the body in half and creating a curve where one may not exist. Though the belt was created to support the trousers and for decorative purposes, for me it's all about the silhouette. It's about creating a waistline and the waistline separates the woman from men. Oversized clothes do have a way of draping and making you feel like you're a plus, plus size. But wear a belt and you can see and feel the difference.

There are many advises on how to use a belt, what’s good for this type of body and that, should the shirt be tucked in or not. But I suggest to try experimenting with what works for your style. In comparison to denims, belts are easy to try on. So enjoy trying on different kinds. Different colours. Different materials. The thin, the thick. From casual to dressy. It could be plain or embossed with a pattern. There are different buckle shapes too. But there is one basic rule in wearing a belt. Never wear a belt so tight that it causes bulges above and below the waist. And remember, a fanny pack is not a belt. Not a friend either. So let's give up on that one.