Shop the Woven Belts We'd Actually Wear

There’s one thing that a woven belt does better than a regular leather strap: adds interest and texture to an outfit without the need for introducing another colour or pattern. Look for styles made out of raffia, straw, cotton webbing or leather strips woven together. You want the weave to be tight enough that it doesn’t fall apart once you buckle it around your waist (aka make a floppy donut). Begin with the buckle. Skinny cheap ones will likely unravel at the hinges with a buckle that pulls your belt out of alignment after wearing it for an hour. Spend a little more on a thick substantial buckle; horn, wood or brushed metal are all classic options. When it sits against your trousers it shouldn’t create any puckering around the belt itself.
Fit is crucial. Woven belts should sit loose and relaxed on your waist rather than tight. They’ll look better with most outfits when you already have a waist to show off, as opposed to trying to tie yourself into cylinder. Pair them with dresses to highlight your waist rather than belting them in; they’re great at elevating shirt dresses and boxy or straight column styles that might otherwise look like tubes. Speaking of shirt dresses, that’s one piece where woven belts can transition you from day into night. When it comes to styling your belt, think less matched colours and more contrast in texture. Pair it with smooth fabrics; cotton, linen, or plain jersey are all good bets. Avoid pattern on days when you know you’ll want to wear a woven belt; two intense textures compete for attention at your waist. Brown leather options or straw tones will go with everything, so choose neutral colours over bright spring tones and skip novelty shapes.

When to wear them? Worn right woven belts can thread together an outfit but won’t overpower it. They’ll serve you well from the beginning of spring and all the way until your summer clothes come back into storage. You can expect them to do a lot of work on the holidays or at a summer wedding. But they’re also great for smarter minimalist weekday wear. A plain dress or shirt and trouser combo feels put together with one standout detail rather than trying to give you five small ones.

Shop the Woven Belts We’d Actually Wear

Natural Woven Straw Belt With Square Buckle - Beige / One Size

Woven Elastic 6.0 Women's Belt [White]

Karl Lagerfeld - Monogram Woven Belt, Man, Black, Size:

Men's Johnston & Murphy Woven Stretch Knit Belt - Long at Jos. A. Bank, Black

Linen Woven Belt With Wooden Beads - Coffee / One Size

rag & bone Audrey Woven Belt Antique White

Anderson's Suede Woven Belt Brown M1

Men's Johnston & Murphy Woven Stretch Knit Belt - Long at Jos. A. Bank, Tan

I Simple Don't Play About Me Anymore Turtleneck Knitted Top Black-S

Anderson's Nylon Woven Belt Multi 205

Anderson's Nylon Woven Belt Multi 161

Anderson's Nylon Woven Belt Olive F13

Faherty Stretch Woven Belt Navy

Distant Sand Stretch Woven Belt

Woven Leather Belt

Rebecca Minkoff Woven Heart Buckle Belt

Andersons Belts Woven Leather Belt - Black - 95 (UK16

Anderson's Nylon Woven Belt Dark Grey G4

Woven Elastic 3.0 Belt [White]

Anderson's Nylon Woven Belt Tan F5

Men's Johnston & Murphy Woven Stretch Knit Belt - Long at Jos. A. Bank, Blue/Navy

Woven Casual Belt

Linen Tribal Stripe Split Neck Bohemian Ruffle Midi Dress with Woven Belt and Slip MARLOWE

Skinny Woven Leather Belt

Andersons Belts Woven Leather Belt - Brown - 90 (UK14/ L)

Bohemian Multi-Functional Woven Scarf Belt With Ethnic Prints - Rustica / One Size

Woven Elastic 5.0 Women's Belt [Red Brown]

Rebecca Minkoff Woven Braided Belt

Men's Johnston & Murphy Woven Stretch Knit Belt - Long at Jos. A. Bank, Blue/Navy/White

Silent Treatment Stretch Woven Belt

Reef Diver Stretch Woven Belt

Plunge Belt Detail Top In Black Woven, Women's Size US

Tod's 95 CM Buckle Belt Navy Blue Woven Suede

Time Zoned Stretch Woven Belt

French Style Collared Short Sleeve Shirt Dress A-Line Midi Dress with Woven Belt Included White Black Khaki

Woven Elastic 3.0 Belt [Khaki]

Popsicle 2.0 Stretch Woven Belt

Premium Cowhide Retro Hand-Woven Belt With Alloy Buckle - Black / One Size

Andersons Belts Woven Wide Leather Belt - Tan - 90 (UK14/ L)

Negotiations Stretch Woven Belt

Woven Elastic 4.0 Belt [Beige]

Lucky Brand Wide Woven Waist Belt - Women's Accessories Belts

Western Buckle Woven Belt

Ann Taylor Skinny Woven Leather Belt

Ann Taylor Woven Belt

Lucky Brand Woven Concho Belt - Women's Accessories Belts

Andersons Belts Woven Leather Belt - Brown - 36 (S)

Andersons Belts Woven Leather Belt - Black - 36 (S)

MOTT FILIGREE WOVEN BELT

Prada Men's Woven Re-Nylon Belt