Dress with a belt as a way to make a striking style

Is it a good idea to wear a belt with a dress? If so, when and how to wear it? We often ask ourselves these questions when composing a style. Like any accessory, a belt should be chosen with care, according to the situation and the effect we want to achieve. There are many types of belts that are perfect for combining with creations that did not have this accessory intended by the manufacturer. It is also possible to swap the belts attached to the dress with others that you keep in your closet, in order to add variety to the styling and give it a different, individual character.

What gives a belt attached to a dress?

A belt by the dress is not just a decorative element. It actually fulfills several functions. The most important of these is to emphasize the waist or to even out the proportions of the figure. However, it should be noted that equally important is the fact that the styling acquires more color, structure thanks to it. It is usually simply more interesting. A properly selected belt elevates the look to a whole new, higher level. A dress with a belt emphasizes the assets of the figure, but also provides a more interesting alternative to creations without this accessory.

Types of belts for dresses

There are many types of belts suitable for dresses. From the thin ones, for example, made of leather, with a buckle, to wide, tied Obi type. With many types in between. Any of them can find use with a dress. Chain or fabric belts, braided or decorated with sequins will also work. Therefore, skillfully choosing a belt for a dress is quite an art. Also in this regard, there is a safe option: ready-made dresses with a belt from the manufacturer. However, if you choose the belt yourself, it is worth remembering that the best fit to dresses are those with a width of 1-2 cm and between 5 and 12 cm.

Dresses with a "factory" belt

Many dresses are sold complete with a belt. Sometimes these are simply belts from the fabric from which the creation was sewn. Many times such a belt takes the form of a decorative sash, which can be fancifully tied. An extremely impressive proposal, especially for cocktail or formal creations, are belts with sequin or crystal decoration. Dresses with a belt proposed by the manufacturer are always a safe option - we are sure that these elements will go well together, because the belt was already foreseen at the stage of designing the dress. Sashes made of the same fabric from which the dress is sewn are excellent. However, this is not the only option.

Often manufacturers also offer belts made of other materials than the creation. Many times these are universal belts with striking buckles. Such a piece has the advantage that it can be freely used in other styles as well.

Can a belt added by the manufacturer be replaced by another?

Of course! When doing this, it is best to suggest the width of the belt that came with the dress, because it is certain that a similar size will certainly work. However, which does not mean that you can not experiment with other widths! Perhaps with one silhouette in this cut a narrower belt will work better, and with another, a very wide one. It is certainly worth making different trials with colors and decorative stripes.

What cuts of dresses look good with a belt?

What if the manufacturer has not provided for a belt in the dress at all? Is it worth adding this element to the creation? Of course it is! In principle, any cut of a dress looks interesting with a belt. The most graceful cut for such experiments is the pencil cut. A narrow belt will work with it, as well as a medium width belt, i.e. between 5 and 12 cm, and a corset - very wide. A pencil dress already has a defined waist, but additional emphasis on it will add flavor to the styling and make it more interesting. Equally perfect cuts for emphasizing the waist are straight cut dresses and shirt dresses. In their case, too, various types of stripes will work. Similarly, it will be with creations of trapezoidal cut. However, for dresses with a full flared bottom, it is best to bet on a narrow belt with a width of 1-2 cm.

Long dresses with a belt that will break the "wall" of material is also an excellent idea. Both in evening creations and everyday summer maxi dresses, it is worth experimenting with this accessory. It will definitely pay off!

However, if we have a dress with an elevated waist, loosely let loose from just below the bust, the matter looks a little different. This type of cut will not look good with an additional belt in a standard place. It will disturb the proportions of the cut and the whole thing will look uninteresting. This is probably the only case where it is better not to wear a belt.

Where to place the belt or sash?

In a pencil dress, the belt will work best exactly at the waist level. The same applies to navy or flared creations with a cut-off at the waist. In the case of shirt creations or with a straight cut or trapezoidal cut, it can also be located on the hips. Is only the cut of the dress important for the location of the belt? No! The proportions of the figure also matter - thanks to the belt you can balance them a bit. How to do it?

Dresses with a belt - for what type of figure will be best?

Yes, a belt will be suitable for any figure, but the devil is in the details and you need to wear it skillfully to look perfect. Ladies with an hourglass figure will look best with the waist emphasized in its natural place. For such a figure, it is worth using this item of clothing even to gently emphasize the waist in an oversized dress.

Ladies with a column figure should highlight a waist that is not naturally very accentuated. A belt is a great way to slightly emphasize the waistline.

With an inverted triangle silhouette, a belt on the hips will be perfect to help slightly even out the proportions of this part of the body compared to the wider top.

In the case of ladies with an apple figure, this element should be located slightly above the waist, which will help slightly hide the tummy and emphasize other assets of the figure. Excellent in this case will be cut A, which is great for ladies with an apple figure and also looks great with a belt slightly above the waist.

Ladies with a pear figure should also like to reach for this accessory. Having such a beautiful waist, it is worth betting on belts that will stand out and catch the eye. You can play with colors, textures, unusual shapes - everything is allowed for ladies with a pear figure!

It is also worth paying attention to the width of the belt. In this case, you need to take into account the proportion of the torso to the rest of the body. Ladies with an elongated upper body will look great in very wide belts, while ladies with a short torso should choose narrower belts. This will help to properly equalize the proportions of the body. A wide belt will optically shorten the torso slightly. In the case of a shorter upper body, such a solution can give the unfavorable impression that the bust starts just above the legs.

In summary: dresses with a belt will work on any figure. However, it is worth wearing it appropriately to the figure, so that it can fulfill its purpose 100%.

How to choose the color of the belt?

The answer to this question is not clear and obvious. It all depends on what character of styling we want to achieve. The belt does not have to be the color of the dress, nor does it have to be the color of the shoes, but it is good if the whole creates a coherent picture. In business situations, in styling for work we usually reach for more classic and conservative solutions. In this case, it is best to bet on shoes and a belt of the same color. If, on the other hand, the dress has a factory belt in the color of the creation, we choose appropriate neutral shoes: black, brown or nude. If you want to bet on a total look in one shade - shoes also choose the same color as the dress. Such sets will always defend themselves and look elegant.

On the other hand, for less formal occasions, it is worth experimenting a little more. In doing so, you can keep in mind a few rules. A brown belt gives a softer effect than a black one. Brown looks great with white and other light colors, but it looks equally great, for example, in the company of a navy blue dress, maroon or, for example, with a creation in leopard print. For light-colored dresses, a belt in a similar color tone will also be perfect, but the styling will look more interesting if the whole is then complemented by darker shoes. The classic black belt, on the other hand, gives us a slightly sharper, but still interesting look. It will work perfectly as a contrasting element.

An important element of styling with a belt can also be a handbag. The trio: shoes, belt and bag should correlate with each other in a certain way, so that the whole creates a coherent picture. You can, of course, safely bet on the whole trio in the same color, or in less formal situations in the same color family. For example, you can also choose a belt and handbag in the same color, and match the shoes to the dress. Another option: match shoes and handbag, and treat the belt as a striking and surprising element of styling, attracting the eye.

It is important to remember that a belt should, like any other styling element, match the temperament of the person who wears it. Otherwise it will look as if it was put on by accident.

Dress with a belt for big outings

Evening and cocktail creations can also be matched with an attractive belt to enhance the styling. With monochromatic creations, belts made of chain or decorated with zircons or sequins are an excellent solution. If the dress is patterned it is better to bet on a belt or sash in one color, preferably matching one of the colors of the creation.

The devil is in the details

When choosing a belt with holes, it is good to opt for one that we will fasten at the middle hole. This length will not cause additional problems with a too long or too short tip, which could look bad, but also interfere with movement. In formal situations, the belt is best fastened in the traditional way. On the other hand, in less formal or everyday styles, you can let yourself go a little crazy and, for example, thread the end of the belt, making it loop just behind the buckle.

Much more possibilities are offered by a sash replacing a belt. You can tie it in many fancy ways from bows to knots - in the front, side or back depending on the effect you want to achieve.

Where to buy beautiful dresses with a belt for different occasions?

Take a look at the collection of dresses with a belt, as well as the collection of creations to which you can wear your favorite belts, in the online store of the Polish brand Poza.