If you’re like me, then you’re always looking for a way to cinch in your natural waist and accentuate your curves. Wearing belts on top of my dresses, tops and skirts is an easy way for me to achieve more of an hourglass figure without going under the knife.
I tend to use a wide belt if my outfit is heavier/thicker, so with a sweater dress for example. I reserve my narrow belts for my lighter outfits such as a casual shirt dress or a high low top.
It does not matter whether your shirt or top has belt loops, adding a belt of some sort is a great way to elevate any shirt look. In today’s blog post, I would be showing you how easy it is to create belted shirt outfits that you can wear for both casual events as well as more formal ones.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_499ad8ae067e4b2b8d8c877981df094cmv2.jpeg[/fusion_imageframe]This is a style you could pull off at the office and happy hour with a quick change of shoes. If you are seeking inspiration for how to style a belt over a shirt, you have come to the right place.
Not only does a belt on top of a shirt work to accentuate your waist, but it also polishes off a basic shirt and bottom outfit. Picking the right belt for your shirt is key and will be sharing some great places to find the perfect belt for your shirt. Here are some of my favorite sites to shop for all types of belts, regardless of thickness and fabric.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
Where can I buy the right belt for my shirt?
i) Nordstrom
I am happy to report that Nordstrom has a very wide range of both narrow belts as well as wide ones available at affordable prices. The most popular colors seem to be black and brown, which is normal for belts and some of them are embossed while others are reversible.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_c3a29795e0c340d3abfca1d6d53dd9d4mv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]My favorite at the moment has to be THIS buckle leather belt by Treasure and Bond. I love the Cognac version because of its warm fall tone. This is the type of belt I would wear over a cardigan or to keep my jeans up if I need to.
ii) Lulus
If you are looking for very affordable belts in fun prints and different colors, then you need to check out the belt section at Lulus. My theory is, if I’m wearing a belt with a pair of jeans, I want it to be a statement belt, especially if I’m tucking my shirt in.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_c543afd3e42748ca8f3ad99e79eaf15bmv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]THIS black belt features a snake buckle and would look great paired with skinny jeans and a light or chunky sweater. During the warmer months, you could pair it with a crop top or blouse to achieve the same effect.
iii) ASOS
When it comes to wider belts, ASOS is a great destination to check for chunky, wider belts) as well as skinny ones). One of my favorite ways to style an oversized sweater dress is by adding a thicker belt such as THIS ONE on top of them. The gold detail really elevates your overall look and makes your outfit look more expensive than it is.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_7ffa0ae8fa454b42aea4352349b4a03fmv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]I purchased a similar belt from ASOS almost 10 years ago and my friend loved it so much it became ‘our belt’. We would take turns wearing it with our various outfits for different occasions. You could also wear a thick belt on top of your summer maxi dresses to switch them up a little bit.
Whenever I really want my shirt dress outfit to stand out, I opt for a shirt in a solid color and accessorize with a gold chain belt. A thin gold belt is a great accessory to own because you can air it with your jeans, dresses or shirts to really make your outfit stand out more.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_c72ba5fb56df4397a789e29e7acd047emv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Now that you know my favorite places to shop for belts, let’s talk about the different ways you can style them with a shirt to achieve different looks. I would strongly suggest that if you want to wear belts with your outfits, invest in a few good ones that do not necessarily have to be designer.
The addition of a belt is one of the best ways to switch up a look, irrespective of your body shape. You can make old outfits look brand new by adding the perfect belt. In this post, I would be showing how to wear them to create casual looks as well as fancier ones. Let’s dive in, shall we?
1) Thin belt with a white shirt
A great outfit you can pull together in matter of seconds is a white button-down, a skinny belt and a pair of leggings. These 3 items can make you look like you’re a style expert interning at Vogue. The most important piece here is the kind of belt you choose. I would suggest opting for a belt with some gold embellishments.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_ee7ee678df654b97a05d47d7460d57bcmv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HERE
A black belt would be my color of choice if going with a pair of black leggings because it would keep your look sleek and monochrome. Throw on a pair of high heels or ankle boots to complete your look and you’re ready for a night out.
2) Medium belt with a shirt dress
It’s very easy to wear a shirt dress and just head out the door. They’re one of the easiest items of clothing to throw on and create simple casual outfits. However, when you want to elevate this simple style, an easy way is to give yourself the illusion of a waist by adding a medium belt.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_ea08f8a47dc1407695121aa928ea5313mv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HERE
This brown belt from Banana Republic comes in the perfect shade of brown, allowing you to pair it with different shirts and shirt dresses in your wardrobe. During the summer, complete your look with a pair of flat sandals or wedges. In the colder months, you could add a trench coat for outerwear and throw on a pair of high boots to make your overall look a stylish one.
3) Thick waist belt with a top and skirt
Wearing a wide belt on top of a blouse and skirt is a great way to create a business casual look that would be appropriate for the office. You could pair a white blouse with a skirt in a fun print or color and then add an elastic belt such as this one to complete your look.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_90b521011a084c9f90604eeeb747c92cmv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HERE
This brown belt from Banana Republic comes in the perfect shade of brown, allowing you to pair it with different shirts and shirt dresses in your wardrobe. During the summer, complete your look with a pair of flat sandals or wedges. In the colder months, you could add a trench coat for outerwear and throw on a pair of high boots to make your overall look a stylish one.
3) Thick waist belt with a top and skirt
Wearing a wide belt on top of a blouse and skirt is a great way to create a business casual look that would be appropriate for the office. You could pair a white blouse with a skirt in a fun print or color and then add an elastic belt such as this one to complete your look.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_2bf54950a158431797ac330ab4246c67mv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HERE
Complete your outfit with a straw hat, a pair of sunglasses and a beach tote. You could also pull off a braided belt during the winter months by pairing it with a long shirt dress, a pair of tights or leggings and knee-high boots.
5) Corset belt with an oversized shirt
A corset belt is the kind of belt you wear when you want your belt to be the centre of attention. It instantly adds some sexiness to your outfit. An easy way to style your corset belt is by throwing on a pair of thigh-high boots. If you’re not comfortable showing some skin, you could add a pair of leather leggings to your look.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_b9dfdf06a0064c5790b5be5f9411889fmv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HERE
You could also style your oversized shirt and corset belt with a pair of shorts during the summer for a sexy and chic concert look. Lace-up sandals would be a great choice of footwear to complete this look or you could wear a pair of mules. You can find another similar option HERE.
6) Belt bag over a button-up
While you’re into the whole belt fashion, why not cease the opportunity to try another trend? Belts bags are a fun and trendy way to wear a belt over a shirt and you get 2 things in 1: a belt and a cute little bag. Create a trendy summer outfit by pairing a crop top with a pair of jeans or pants. Add an unbuttoned shirt to your look and finish it off with a belt bag.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_a6518a629a384f70afe2ca484c59f9f5mv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HERE
A pair of white sneakers would be an excellent choice to complete this look. Leaving your shirt unbuttoned allows you to show off just the right amount of skin, keeping your look casual but classy.
7) Belt over a shirt + jeans
You can probably tell I love making my belts the focal point of my outfits. Another good option when it comes to pairing belts and shirt is to add a pair of jeans underneath. This instantly adds some curves to your look and takes it from semi-casual to dressier. If the goal is to make your outfit sexier, feel free to unbutton your shirt.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_54c6c2f958d54d88ab3c73accb8bbf5bmv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HERE
You could have a bra underneath or a corset which you would style with a pair of strappy heel and a shoulder bag to complete your date night look. If your shirt is a solid color, you could opt for a bright colored belt to add a pop of color and make your outfit more fun.
8) Skinny belt with a denim shirt
I know I’ve been talking mostly about thicker belts but skinny belts need some love too! A nice way to style them is with a denim shirt and a pair of white pants or jeans. This works as a nice casual outfit which you can complete with a pair of sneakers, ballet flats or heels. A chic way to tie your skinny belt is by slipping the tail end of the belt into the waist part to create a sort of knot.
[/fusion_text]https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_1205f44790ad4fb1aaf57b7bf09d3a6dmv2.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]Get the look HEREI hope you have gotten a lot of outfit ideas from this post and know how next to style your shirt with a belt. It really boils down to having a good belt that works with your outfit. It doesn’t have to be a Gucci belt as you can tell from my list of options but if you have the means, go ahead and splurge.
My top suggestions would be to invest in a thick belt, a chain belt, a skinny belt, and a fabric belt. These 4 belts would be able to help you create many different outfits. Fabric belts such as this Obi suede belt are great additions of unique belts you can add to your wardrobe in due time. A metallic belt works great with holiday outfits and so these are always a good idea to own.
I suggest you check out my post: 5 ways to wear a high low shirt for some more style inspiration.
I also have a post titled 6 Ways to Wear a Flannel Shirt which will show how how to style a flannel shirt.
Headed for a night out? Check out my post: 10 Outfits to Wear for a Night out at the Club.
Until the next post,
XOXO
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