A belt is a strip of material, like leather, fabric, or chain, worn around the waist or hips. It helps hold clothing in place and can be fastened with a buckle, hook, or clasp. Belts can be functional, decorative, or both. They come in many styles, widths, and colors to suit different outfits.
In olden times, belts were worn by men and women in the Roman Empire. Belts were mostly used in the military or worn by men in important positions.
But now, everyone wears belts. Pants usually come with belt loops, and belts are available in all kinds of shapes and sizes. As a fashion accessory, a belt doesn’t just hold your clothes in place—it can completely transform the look of pants, jeans, skirts, or dresses.
Different Types of Belts
Buckle Belt
This is a simple strap belt with a metal buckle that presses to fasten. The strap can be made from leather, fabric, or plastic. The buckle can be a single piece or made of several parts. Most buckles are made from a mix of zinc and aluminum, with a special coating to make them shiny, or they are made of brass. Popular buckle colors include gunmetal and antique gold. Belts made from full-grain genuine leather are highly valued for their quality and style.
Horseshoe Buckle Belt
This is a type of belt with a buckle shaped like a horseshoe. These belts are a stylish variation of the regular buckle design. The horseshoe-shaped buckle adds a unique and trendy look.
D-Ring Belts
This belt has two D-shaped rings on one end. This is a very easy belt to make and wear. Thread the belt through the pant loops. Insert the other end of the belt through the rings going over the closest ring and under the second ring to lock it in place.
Skinny Belt
Skinny belts are thin belts made of rubber or leather, with a small buckle. They can hold up pants or skirts and work well with fitted clothes like dresses or tops. These belts have a slimming effect but don’t go well with loose, flowing outfits. A variation is the skinny knot belt, which has no buckle and is fastened by tying a knot in front. Some also have metal details for added style.
Suspender Belt
Suspenders are straps used to hold up pants. They were first invented in 1820 by Albert Thurston. Suspenders are often worn with tuxedos and formal pants. Both men and women can wear them to hold up pants, skirts, or shorts without needing a belt around their waist or hips.
Cummerbund
A cummerbund is a wide sash worn around the waist, typically inside tuxedos or dinner jackets. It has pleats facing down and is worn at the natural waist to cover the stomach. Not all formal suits require a cummerbund, like double-breasted suits or those with a vest. It is usually paired with a bow tie.
Military Belt
A military belt is a strong nylon webbing strap, often in colors like black, navy, brown, or khaki. It has metal or sturdy plastic buckles and is commonly worn by military personnel. While mostly worn by men, it can also look great on women. These belts don’t have holes and are fastened with a pin-free buckle. Military belts are perfect for holding up pants or shorts while adding a stylish touch.
Metal Belts
Metal belts are often worn with formal dresses or wedding gowns. Some are made of chains or feature chain fastenings. They are crafted from silver, gold, or gold/silver-plated metals. Metal belts are primarily decorative and are not designed to hold up pants. They are available in various designs. These belts are great for adding style to long skirts, dresses, and gowns.
Hip Belt
Hip belts, also known as hip chains, are low-hanging belts worn loosely around the hips. They are often used by Asian brides with their wedding dresses and are also commonly used in belly dancing. These belts can enhance the style of any outfit and are typically made of leather with heavy decorations or designed as wrap-around fabric belts with embellishments.
Yoke Belt
These are very wide belts that look like the yoke of a skirt. They are worn at the waist and almost extend to the hips. It enhances the outfit, shapes the body, and supports loose bottoms and shirts.
Cinch Belt
A cinch belt is a tight-fitting belt made of elastic, leather, or stretchy fabric. It wraps tightly around the waist to create a smaller, more defined look. The belt is fastened with a fancy buckle, clasp, or lace-up. It helps give an hourglass figure by slimming the waist. Cinch belts are worn over clothes, not inside belt loops. Made of materials like canvas, leather, elastic, or silicone, these belts are perfect for parties, cocktails, or casual outfits.
Lace-Up Belt
Lace-up belts have eyelets and drawstrings to fasten around the waist. For a retro look, a lace-up belt works well with jumpsuits, rompers, or loose dresses. There are two types: one with a smaller width, which is great for wider waistlines, and one with a larger width, ideal for women with small waists.
Corset Style Belt
A corset-style belt is a cinch belt that tightens around the waist to create a slim, pencil-thin figure. It is laced up tightly, giving a shape similar to the corsets worn by Elizabethan women, despite their discomfort.
Sash Belts
A sash belt is made of fabric or ribbon and is worn with dresses or gowns. It is draped from one shoulder to the waist for formal occasions or tied around the waist as a belt. The ends of the sash are usually tied into a bow.
Obi Belts
Obi belts are sash belts that look like the traditional belts worn with Japanese kimonos. Also called wrap belts, they are wrapped around the waist at least twice and tied in a knot or bow.
Braided Belts
Braided belts are made from strands of fabric or leather that are braided together for a textured look. They have a casual style and are great to wear with maxi dresses or rompers.
Twist Belts
Twisted belts have two intersecting loops and can be worn with or without a buckle. They add style to casual dresses, ripped jeans, and long shirts. The strap can be made of fabric or leather.
Bow Belts
Big bows are a cute design in both hair accessories and clothing. Bow belts are similar, providing an easy alternative to tying a ribbon with a sash belt. A bow belt is made of leather or fabric with a large bow in the center, either in the front or back, with the fastener usually hidden behind the bow.
Garter Belts
A garter belt is a type of suspender belt made of narrow fabric or lace. It is worn around the waist, with garter clips holding stockings or pantyhose in place. It can be worn higher on the waist or lower on the hips.
Peplum Belts
Peplum belts can transform a pencil skirt into a peplum style, adding volume to the waist and flattering the figure. They can also be worn over skinny jeans and leggings.