S U N D A Y • S T Y L I N G

Topic No. 8 : Tips on Belting

Once upon a slimmer time, I was all over a detailed or brightly coloured belt to accentuate my small waist, now, well, that waist ain't so small I'm doing what I can to disguise the area.

However, a belt is useful, not only for drawing attention to your waist (and keeping your pants up), it will also help break up the transition between a loose top and tight bottom (or vice versa) and will define your curves under layers.

If you're not a regular belt wear, like myself, here's a few tips.

> If for you it's all about comfort, a stretchy or elasticated belt is a great place to start.

> Always buy a belt that fits well — not too tight that you're literally creating a muffin top or so long that you're forced to use the last notch in the belt, or worse, create a new hole, to wear it well.

> Find your true waistline. This is the narrowest part of your torso and the area you want to accentuate

> Wearing a belt just above the waistline elongates your legs and accents your bust.

> Wide belts create the illusion of hips and curves, whereas lower skinny belts add to hip volume

> Try high contrast by using a belt in a different colour or a patterned belt

> To lengthen your legs, match your belt colour to your pants or skirt

> If you're petite, select a thin or medium belt that won’t overpower your frame

> Belts with stretch that cinch the waist and define your silhouette are best for curves

> Belts in dark colours will visually slim your figure

> For those of you big busted, keep your belt 2 inches lower than your bustline

With the huge variety of belts available, from leather to woven and every colour imaginable, my advice is to visit stores and experiment with different styles until you find something you're comfortable wearing.