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.
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