If you look like Mira Sorvino or aim to have Angelina Jolie’s curves, you could try big, broad belts to accentuate your figure. But for lesser mortals, there is a way out and trust me, it isn’t that difficult to follow, all it needs is a bit of common sense and some chutzpah.
The skinny Paris Hilton and the yummy mummy Jessica Alba are often seen wearing belts and these hotties really know to work the magic. They say that women should follow fashion trends as they would follow an acquaintance’s advice: with caution. Just follow these few basic guidelines and you can carry off this fashion too.
“Wear a belt which blends with the colour of your frilly blouse or peasant top to avoid cutting your torso visually. Disguise extra flab by wearing a wide belt in soft stretchy material, corset style. Keep the rest simple. Also, since the smallest part of the torso for most women is just below the bust, showing off your stylish belt here would be the safest bet,” says Supriya Menon, manager brand and design, Ozel.
Whether it is a tunic or a dress, to avoid looking too ‘belted up’ and ‘choked’, flaunt belts with a casual and relaxed attitude. “Even if the belt is narrow and has buckles, it can be easily knotted for the desired effect, however one should be careful with the selection of the width of the belt and the kind of dress to make this trend work right for their body type,” says Kunal Pant, Head Product and Design, s.Oliver. A high-waisted belt can be worn with dresses, skirts, pants and even over business-suits. It cinches the waist in all the right places and gives your body an elongated look. “The outline is especially flattering to pear shape figures wanting to disguise their curves, who should wear it hitting high on the waist. For a leaner body type, it can be worn high or low and broad or in colours that work for them,” says designer Pallavi Mohan.