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Belt it!
Rock the Cloth
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Belts continue to be popular and nowadays we are seeing different trends in belts. Many don't think that this is an accessory that can be made, but the good news is - it most certainly can.
In addition to tips on wearing belts, there are steps and locations to get the material from to make your own.
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| Yellow belt made in three simple steps. |
Most women aim to create or highlight a waist, and the best accessory for achieving this is the belt. With the right width and colour, just about anyone can use a belt to enhance or balance their figure. It can also be the wow accessory for an outfit.
If you love belts, then they can be incorporated in everything, from casual to formal wear.
Casual looks:
. Wear the leather bands over tanks and long-sleeved T-shirts or other layered looks.
. Wear large leather belts with shirts and shirt dresses.
. Accent a knit dress with a leather belt.
Corporate
. Wear with trousers and pencil skirts.
. Wear over sweaters and cardigans, or even form-fitting jackets.
Formal
. Wear with simple dresses to add a pop of colour or some bling.
Belts for your figure:
. With an hourglass shape, you are a perfect candidate to wear a belt, which allows you to flaunt your curves. Since belts essentially narrow the waist and therefore make hips appear wider, be careful in the selection of the style and how you wear it if you already have wide hips.
. For full hourglass figures, wear wider belts.
TIP: The belt
width should be proportional to your size, so make it wider for fuller figures, while slimmer persons may wear thin belts. Too wide on a skinny person can make you appear too skinny - they are best for larger women.
. Although not ideal for lean column or rectangle figure types, a belt may be used to cinch the waist, especially when paired with a full skirt or other loose-style bottom.
. Petite and thinner women can wear narrow and lightweight belts. Very wide or heavy ones may be overpowering.
. If you have a high waist, wear a colour that matches the top to lengthen the torso.
. For a long waist/ long torso, match the belt to the bottom to lengthen the rise and shorten the waist: the aim being to balance your proportions.
. If you are busty, short or heavy, thinner belts are preferable in the same tone as the garment.
Belt colour and style
. Like other articles of clothing, darker colours are more slimming. And so are matte finishes.
. Therefore lighter colours and those with sheen will make a waist appear larger.
. Belts that blend with the garment are more slimming.
Some belts are investment belts and can be worn fairly often, such as those in classic material like leather. Wider belts are less versatile and more fashionable or even trendy.
Buckles add to the effect of the belt. Decorative ones draw attention to the waistline, so select if you want to highlight your waist and avoid if this is not an asset. Elaborate pieces are accessories in themselves and so you may go simple on other pieces complementing the look - with the belt being the main piece.
Tip: the plain bands may be adorned with beads, sequins, or other trimmings.
Steps for elastic belt:
1. Cut the length of the elastic to the desired waist measurement
2. Finish the edges to avoid fraying. If the elastic is light enough you may fold under at the edge when attaching to the buckle.
3. Insert edges through slots in the buckle side, stitch in place - and you're done!
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