A belt can complete an outfit and transform your silhoutette, but it's easy to get it wrong and mess up the whole look.
I know lots of you are "belt-challenged" and resist anything which draws attention to your curves. This is one inhibition to bin - to be stylish you need to know how to accessorise and belts are a major accessory.
The secret is to wear the right belt for your body shape and, more importantly, your proportion.
Petites and short-waisted women do themselves no favour by making themselves look shorter and that's what a wide belt will do. That's my shape and I've learnt to stick to skinny belts, usually in neutral toning colours which add shape without cutting my body in two.
One word of warning - a skinny belt caught too tight will give you a "muffin top" even if you a pretty slim so keep it comfortably loose and allow yourselve to breathe!
Taller and long-waisted girls can embrace the fashionable wider belts and cinch in the waist, even creating a corset-like appearance if you so wish. Contrasting colours and a tighter waist will give you a more hour-glass silhouette.
If you have a bigger tummy, try wearing your belt below the bulge to draw attention away from your biggest part. Dropping the front down a little makes the waist look longer and has a slimming effect.
A dull pair of jeans can be brought bang up to date with a contemporary belt and a shapeless tunic can become a fitted top which clings where you want it to cling. A belted jacket is this seasons very hot look and works well for women of all ages.
If you are not sure which shape suits you, I suggest you hot-foot it to a cheapy-cheapy store like Primark and pick up a variety of different shapes, lengths and widths. Try them out at home and work out what looks good and how to wear it. Need some help? Send me a couple of photos and I'll give you some advice.
Once you know what works for you, ditch the cheapies or give them to the kids for dressing up, then invest in a couple of really great belts and leave them hanging on the chair in your bedroom ready to wear. Don't tuck them away in a drawer, you'll forget about them and be losing out on what could be your best style enhancer.
Here's some further inspiriation:
I adore this website I found recently for advice on how to wear the right belt for your body shape. They have wonderful belts - I haven't ordered anything yet but I certainly will be.
For a bit of visual advice try this video - not sure if she is trying out for a porn movie or just a bit whacky but she shows some good belted looks.
And here are some great pictures and a bit more advice. Oh, and this one - lovely pics
Happy cinching!
