Tip #74: Choosing the Right Belt for your Body Type

A belt can make you look fat and chunky—or create a waist and a sexy silhouette. It’s all about choosing the right style of belt for your body type, and knowing exactly where to put it.   


Why the belt is your best friend

Belts are a really cheap and easy way of adding a little drama to a simple outfit. It is also a very good slimming tool, because it can accentuate curves (or create a curve where there was none), while simultaneously drawing attention away from parts of the body that you want to play down.

The trick is in the proportion. Nobody has a perfect body, just learn and understand what works for your body type.

Short Torso

The great thing about being short waisted is you probably have fantastically long legs. You want to help add to that sense of length.  The first thing to do is to avoid really thick belts, which will totally overwhelm your already short waist. Pick thinner belts, and then position them a bit low on the hips. This makes your upper body look longer.

Long Torso

A wide version will provide balance between your top and bottom halves. You’re lucky enough to have the body type that can pull off a thicker belt. But your particular body challenge is to make your legs look longer. So, position your belt higher up the waistline (and add to the illusion by wearing high-waisted pants). Here’s another trick: picking a belt color that is very close to the color of your pants gives the sense of a long, unbroken line, which also helps you look taller.

Petite Figure

Larger belts will overwhelm your small frame, so avoid them at all costs. It’s also best to pick a belt color that is very close to the rest of your outfit—or even choose monochromatic scheme (different shades of the same color) from shirt to shoes. That’s because a belt in a completely different color will “cut” your body and make you look even smaller.

If you want to add color to your outfit, choose a contrasting bag or necklace or earrings (which will draw attention to the face). You can also play with different textures and fabrics—for example, a sequin trim or a touch of lace.

Fuller Figures

Choose belts in colors that closely match your outfits, and avoid big belt buckles that can draw even more attention to your waistline. Choose a simple belt in a dark color and a matte finish. 

Boyish Figure

If you have a very slim, boyish figure, try a skinny belt worn low on your hips to create the illusion of curves.