Cinching Cost at the Waistline

Rachel Yeomans

Back in the day, the accessory known as “the belt� served the singular purpose of maintaining hold of a waistline to keep a pair of pants in its place. Now, to voice the cliché, fashion has definitely presided over function because the belt is now the hit accessory — you’ll see what I mean just by viewing some of the Spring 2008 ready-to-wear collections. However, with the necessity of creating that silhouette shape with a sweater dress or pumping up the volume of the oxford, these outfit add-ons are at times surpassing the price point of those Prada ankle boots you’ve been eyeing. With all the costly accessories out there, is it possible to budget yet another?

That it is, but in order to do so, steer clear of the Gucci, and concentrate more on the Calvin Klein. If you want lower price-points, the high-end designers should be kept on display. Don’t think that you are sacrificing fabulous style however by veering towards the less expensive. In fact, sometimes you can find something truly unique and stylish not found anywhere on the runway.

Calvin Klein, as mentioned, makes a variety of good quality, stylish belts. Also look towards the likes of Michael Kors and Linea Pelle. I personally love Jack Rabbit Collection, a line of accessories designed by Mollie Culligan. The belts are fantastic, original, and the price point is well below that of Fendi. Other lines under the accessory cost radar worth checking out are Elegantly Waisted, Motif 56, and Bing Bang for the skinny belt.

Now, when you are scouring the scene for this product, remember that it can either be the piece that compliments the outfit, or the piece that makes the outfit. Belts are very similar to shoes in that regard — so similar outfit rules apply.

Determine if you want to work the outfit around the belt, or work the belt around the outfit. If you want a statement belt, then don’t worry about only buying one that matches multiple outfits you already own. If you could find clothing to coincide with those one-of-a-kind peep-toes you had to have, you can do the same for that patent weave buckled belt. However, if you would rather have a belt that blends into the outfit, make sure you know exactly how you want to wear it (mid-waist or low-slung) and what palette you need to match—brown, black, etc. Then you can buy the one belt to work with every look you have planned for it.

If you are in the market but can’t afford one belt for every look, stick with a neutral color that will go with them all. Cream, gray and white are good standards to have on hand to mix and match with multiple outfits.

So leave the runway for these more cost-conscious alternatives, and feel confident sashaying that glamorously accessorized waistline with a little bit of breathing room for your savings, but with no sacrifice to your style.

1. Giorgio Armani Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear style.com

2. Fendi Perforated Cummerbund Belt $635 net-a-porter.com

3. Calvin Klein Cheetah Calf Hair Wide Belt retail value: $75, bluefly: $45 bluefly.com

4. Linea Pelle Gold Woven Leather Wide High Waist Belt retail value: $ $195, bluefly: $117 bluefly.com

5. Michael Kors Chocolate Leather Double Ring Belt retail value: $ $65, bluefly: $39 bluefly.com

6. Gucci Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear style.com

7. Jack Rabbit Collection Icon Belt $189 swayandcake.com

8. Bing Bang Twice Around Belt $253 shopbop.com

9. Elegantly Waisted Contrast Cummerbund Belt Retail: $198, Current Sale: $99 shopbop.com