If you’ve ever looked at my Instagram or blog for even a second, you know I LOVE a good dress. They’re comfortable, fun, and they always look totally luxurious. And, let’s be honest, half the joy of wearing a dress comes from accessorizing. Seriously, you can dress up or dress down and rock any style you want. Dresses are super versatile!
That being said, one of my favorite ways to style a dress is with a belt! Belts create the perfect waistline to make you look thinner and curvier. It’s the simplest way to instantly achieve your ideal, balanced hourglass shape no matter your body type.
Belts that are wider and thicker help shape you even more. Not only does a women’s wide belt define that waist, but it also creates a ton of visual interest. Your eyes are drawn to the belt, and it evens out the upper and lower half of the dress. It breaks up the two halves and showcases each silhouette separately, which is sooo eye catching!
Additionally, belts can introduce a new texture or color into your ensemble. That new tone can then be used for jewelry, shoes, purses, and other accessories to make the perfect, balanced outfit. So, to help you model this look, I’ve curated a list of 12 super cute and stylish belts for this season. Here they are:
12 Wide Waist Belts for Dress
Orange Ada Josie Leather Belt
This Ada Josie leather belt is perfect for dresses. The orange color is playful and fun without being too bold. It can almost pass as a neutral! The gold rings and looped belt have a subtle asymmetrical look that is sculptural and exciting. The best part? You can use it for a casual or formal dress.
For a relaxed summer look, get a voluminous, shapeless dress like this one and add your belt around the waist. It’ll create an hourglass silhouette by slimming your top half and accentuating the bottom! Plus, I love the orange balanced with the bright green. It works as a neutral AND complimenting color in this outfit. Gorgeous!
Tory Burch Eleanor Belt
This Tory Burch belt is AMAZING! I love the tonal color choices. And the diamond cut-outs add a ton of visual interest without being overpowering. It’s embossed with brass accents and beads, which complement the leather and neutral colors. Seriously, this thing is so cute!
You could wear this with a lot of dresses, but I’d recommend picking something simple. The belt itself holds so much grandeur, I’d hate to pull away from that with a crazy print or busy silhouette. I’d recommend you pair the belt with a neutral dress like this white a-line dress. It’ll instantly amplify the look and tie in all those natural accessories.
Nordstrom Square Buckle Suede Belt
Ladies, you know I love color. Which is why I adore this “pink smoke” suede belt. It’s got that perfect waist belt thickness with a narrow buckle. So, it cinches in your waist without stealing too much attention from your dress. It’s got great texture with a fun color that’s not too vibrant and overpowering.
This soft pink and dainty design is PERFECT for spring. Go casual and pair it with the other bold hues found in this amazing color-blocked dress. It is the perfect addition to the pastel colors and any smoky pink accessories.
You could also go monochrome! Just add the belt to a solid pink dress of the same hue like this one and layer on accessories in the same color family. Monochrome is totally in this year, and it’s one of the easiest trendy looks to style yourself. Give it a shot with this soft and sweet suede belt!
Rag & Bone Jumbo Boyfriend Woven Belt
This Rag & Bone belt is so chic and so cute. It’s made of leather and cotton strips that are woven together to create a texturized, ivory masterpiece. It’s definitely a statement piece. And, since it’s off white with a silver buckle, it can go with SO many dresses.
Seriously, it would pair beautifully with any dress in the Sail to Sable Summer Collection. It’s a PERFECT capsule piece for this season.
Isabel Marant Lecce Leather Belt
This cowhide leather belt is anything but traditional. It’s made of a classic belt material, yes. But the way the leather stranges loop through each other creates the illusion that it’s mid-tie. Like, it’s suspended in that place of being tied and untied. It just makes your eyes stay on it a little longer. Truly, it’s stunning.
This belt creates an effortlessly elevated look and provides the perfect platform for more bold and daring accessories. I used this belt in one of my favorite summer ensembles that you can see here. The shoes, the ring, the shades . . . all of it with the belt makes an unforgettable summer outfit.
Halogen Atlantic-Pacific Covered Buckle Stretch Belt
Now, here’s a classic waist belt! It’s solid black with a covered buckle, meaning you don’t have to worry about clashing metallics. This belt is ready to go on any outfit! Additionally, the belt is adjustable and stretchy. So, you’ll always be totally comfortable while pinching in that waist.
You can see here, that I used this belt to tie a polka dot blouse and pleated skirt into the illusion of a dress. The belt creates the perfect empire waist and gives me that flattering balanced figure I’m always looking for!
Moreover, if you wanted to pair this with a standard dress, you totally could. The belt would go well with any dress where you want a more defined waist or a little added visual interest. Take a bold print and tone it back with the solid black. Or, grab a white or solid color dress and break it up with the belt to balance out the look. Honestly, it’s one of the most versatile options on the list!
M.M. Lafleur Beebe Belt
Here’s another easy one! This black belt with a silver buckle is a wardrobe staple. It should be in everyone’s capsule collection. For this post we’re discussing dresses, but this belt would be adorable with a blazer or flowy blouse too. And, it comes at a great price. What more could you want?
It’s 2.5 inches thick, so it’s definitely one of the wider ones on this list. This is good for you though! It’ll draw in that waist even more. It’s made from Italian leather, and it’s super high quality as long as you care for it well with leather cleaner.
One of my favorite looks with this belt is this really adventurous cotton dress and trench vest ensemble. Honestly, without the belt, this bold look would not have worked. You could also use the belt to elevate a standard LBD. This workwear outfit should help you imagine how GORGEOUS that would look.
If you’re hesitant to try a wide belt with a dress, I highly recommend this one. It’s the perfect starting piece for easy styling.
Tory Burch Reversible Belt
This belt is a little thinner than some others on this list, but it’s just too perfect not to include! This leather belt is reversible with a black and brown side. (I love a two-for-one!) So, it can go easily with any dress or accessory! And the gold or silver buckle doesn’t discriminate. It’ll go with either side and any color!
I wear this belt all. the. time. But, checkout how I paired it with this bold Tory Burch silk dress. I used the black side to draw in the pattern from the shoulders and skirt. It totally elevated the look and balanced the print.
Here, I used a similar brown Tory Burch belt to draw in the accessories paired with this vibrant floral twill dress. And again, with this solid colored shirtdress, I used the brown belt to break up the block of one color. This belt makes fashion downright effortless!
Tory Burch Stripe Stretch Belt
Hmm . . . has anyone realized I love Tory Burch yet? I must admit, I am a super fan! Here’s a unique belt coming out with their spring/summer 2022 line that I cannot wait to get my hands on! The belt has a stretchy webbed band and a one-of-a-kind three-button buckle in black and gold. It’s rustic and completely chic.
When I get my hands on this bad boy, I am going to stretch it over a cute poplin dress like this one! The baggy dress will look so cute cinched in at the waist. Styling like this makes you look slimmer and makes your dress even more unique. Even if someone else has it, no one is styling it like you!
If you love this belt as much as I do, start thinking of the perfect dress to go with it. Then, figure out a few accessories that would complement the neutral colors and the gold buttons. An outfit can really be defined by its accessories—especially when they’re this stylish!
Kai Waist Belt B-Low the Belt
This thick waist belt sits comfortably at the waist for a look that’s instantly slimming and stylizing! It’s in a brown shade called brandy and the adorable C-shaped curvy buckle is gold. The belt itself is made of cowhide, but it’s not just flat leather. It has a feather texture that really elevates the belt and makes it appear ultra-high end.
The neutral colors go great with a traditional summer dress. Think about the blues, whites, and florals in this collection and picture this belt looped around your waist. Can you see it? I can, and you look AH-MAY-ZING.
Tory Burch Runway Links Belt
If these other belts are boring you, this one’s for you. This Tory Burch links belt is FAR OUT! It’s also coming with their new spring/summer 2022 drop, so you can’t snag it yet. This belt is more like chain-mail or an elegant piece of jewelry than a traditional belt, and I love that for this bright season.
Sometimes I choose to wear colors, prints, and styles that are striking. Like, stop-what-you’re-doing-and-look-at-that-girl striking. And, ladies, this belt accomplishes your bold and beautiful wishes.
The links belt can really be fun and even elegant. For example, you could pair it with a dashing evening gown. But, a more practical way to wear it is with a vibrant colored dress. I’m going to take a multi-colored dress like this J. Crew tiered popover and cinch this belt around the waist.
With some exciting metallic accessories, this look goes from fun and fresh to fun and feisty! Totally edgy. Totally cool. And totally fabulous. I can’t wait to get my hands on this!
Ada Handmade Leather Wrap Belt
Last, but definitely not least, is this Ada handmade leather wrap belt. You read that right, actual artisans handcrafted this beautiful leather belt in Buenos Aires. This means it’s not only one-of-a-kind in terms of style, but it’s truly one of a kind.
This belt almost looks like two in one. There’s the base wide leather wrap, and then over top there are two leather cords twisting together that tie at the front. It’s so unique! It grabs your eyes right away and instantly gives your look a high-fashion flavor.
Pair this with a dress that has a lot of volume and texture. The two bold looks will compete with one another and balance out your ensemble. Then, add accessories in the same tones of brown, and you’ve got a really visually interesting outfit.
If you’re having trouble picturing it, imagine the belt with this perfect summer look. That being said, don’t think you need to copy anything. If you have a daring idea for this belt, go for it! This belt was made to go on some real fashion adventures.
Wide belts are perfect for balancing your shape and balancing your perfect summer outfit!
There you have it, ladies! Grab a few of the belts from this list and start pairing them with your favorite dresses. You’ll be so satisfied with the new life a belt brings to your wardrobe. Plus, you’ll feel confident in your perfectly shaped hourglass figure.
And, really, that’s what fashion is all about: feeling good in your own skin. You deserve to feel confident and fabulous! (Fashion is like the best personal care, amiright?)
Let me know in the comments what belt you like best! Which ones do you plan to purchase? Do you have dresses in mind to go with the belts? Spill the tea in the comments. And, if you like my style tips, check out my blog and join our Instagram family. We’d love to hang out with you there and talk all things fashion!