Coffee Break: Melamed Purple Belt

32 Comments

1. I like the belt — and the outfit suggestion, though I suspect this is a good outfit only for petites and those with a classic hourglass figure. I have an eggplant color sweater dress that I recently bought, but i haven’t worn it yet because I think it needs a belt, but then I keep thinking that a belt will accentuate my less than flat tummy….so probably, I shouldn’t have bought the dress in the first place.

   1. you could try to wear the belt above your tummy, like kind of an empire waist. might work better with a skinnier belt and if you don’t have large breasts (I do and I feel like when I wear a belt that high up I look like a bad version of a 50’s pinup). Also, you could try a looser belt that adds visual interest and cinches you a little bit, but is loose enough not to show exactly where your body ends.

      I have spent a lot of time thinking about belts.

   2. I’m a complete apple shape, and belts work fine on me. Just make sure to wear it at your natural waist (your narrowest spot, which may not necessarily be where the belt loops are on a garment) and don’t cinch it so tight it will squeeze when you sit.

   3. I think you are using petite as a synonym for thin/small. Is that what you mean or are you really referring to the height of women 5’4″ and under?

      1. What a legalicious question! No,I am using it to mean those with dimunitive proportions. I’m 5’4″, but not petite.

         1. I’m lost. I always thought that “petites” meant short women (I know “short” is a relative term…). Am I wrong? Is it not just height? Do you have to be both short and pretty slim to be considered petite? That just seems odd to me.

            1. As I understand it, in terms of clothing retailers, petite generally means short, full stop. The actual height cut-off varies by line, and some petites are cut a bit smaller than their regular size counterparts (say, 10 petite fitting like 8 regular), but there are plenty of larger and even plus size petite options available.

               That being said, I’m 5’6″ and am occasionally called petite, not because the speaker thinks I’m short, but because I’m otherwise proportionally small. As my mother oh-so-helpfully (cough, cough) pointed out when I put on a few pounds in college, narrow shoulders and hips don’t make a person skinny– just petite.

         2. When it comes to the retail clothing trade, “petite” definitely refers to height alone. Any woman 5’4″ and under is considered “petite” — no matter whether she wears size xxs or 28W.

2. I agree about belts being hard for a lot of women (me) to wear. I love this though. But do people really spend $90 on belts? I think my most recent purchase was a very high quality thick leather belt on sale for about $15. I guess I’m just cheap.

3. I have a hard time spending this much on a once-in-a-while accessory. Is this something I need to get over because the quality is worth the cost? Or can a knock-off suffice?

   1. For a shiny, purple belt — a cheaper version will suffice.

4. I’d be worried that a knock-off would look too plasticky and cheap, and/or wouldn’t get the color quite right. This strikes me as a purple that you’d get a lot of use out of, though, not just the once-in-a-while accessory. Especially since practically everything in the stores now is a washed-out neutral, a nice colored belt could add a lot. I am really into belts right now, though, so it could just be me.

5. Thanks to whoever recommended me the Target camis last week for a figure that has probs with camis riding up around the waist. I ordered a couple that arrived yesterday and they are exactly what I was looking for! What would I do without Corporette?

   1. I’ve started buying the camis without the bras from Old Navy and just ordering them in the Tall size. That way I can tuck them in and there is never a risk of showing any skin when I reach up to get something. I think they are a great thing to stock up on when they go on sale.

   2. You’re welcome!! :-) I’m wearing one of mine today under a cardigan. Love, love, love it.

6. Coffee Break hijack — regarding the Boden site that C flagged a while back (and noting the coupon that appears on Corporette right now) — I bought a dress for weekend wear that really like it and thought I’d share: http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH201/Womens-Crinkle-Jersey-Dress.html
   The crinkle is pretty minimal and also eliminates any need to iron! The waist also has a small tie that you can cinch/expand, so the sizing is forgiving.
   Thanks for the site reco, C!

   1. Can you wear this dress in spring or is a summer only? I live in NYC and am in need of some good “transition” season outfits for MArch/April. I always struggle with the spring/fall season. Would this dress work with a blazer?

      1. I think the cut/color would work well with spring, and though it may be cool, you could always wear a cardigan. I’m not sure about a blazer — I don’t actually own any as I don’t think they flatter me personally, so take this with a grain of salt — but the dress material is somewhat lightweight, so my hunch would be that a blazer might be a little too strong for the dress. Then again, it depends on the blazer and your preferences. Hope this helps!

         1. L: I totally agree with you. This dress was also my first purchase from Boden and I love it. I will be wearing it with a sweater in the spring. Thanks C for the recommendation.

7. I am petite with an hourglass figure, but I have been reconsidering wide belts. I feel like they take up too much visual space on my torso. So I was intrigued by the poster above who seemed to have opposite feelings! I *love* belts.

   This is a great pick, but I agree with the posters who said that the price is still steep for something you won’t wear too often. I try to get my belts for under $50, and will only spend that much for high quality brands. In my belt wardrobe I have:

   – a teal snakeskin Dolce and Gabbana belt ($24)
   – a blue crocodile Malo belt ($12)
   – three Missoni woven wide belts ($15 each)
   – a white leather Burberry belt ($50)

   Bought all of the above at Filene’s Basement. The secret is to check out the locked display cases with a saleswoman. Stuff gets marked WAAAY down, but most customers don’t see the price tags and don’t have the patience to find the lady with the keys.

   1. Co-sign @KLo and @Britt. I’m shocked when I see $100+ belts online and at department stores. Who does that?! (As my 10 year says). I get nice leather belts from TJ Maxx, Loehmann’s, and the like for $20 or less. Most I’ve ever spent on a belt is $40 (on sale ) for a brown leather belt with black leopard print; so cute with black sheath dresses. LOVES! I do avoid PVC belts, especially in bright colors like red. All kinds of wrong. LOL.

8. Love! Eggplant and grey…my wedding colors!!!

9. How wide is it?

10. Love this!!!!!!!! Not sure if it’d work for my petite frame though. I think it’s too wide for me.

11. Perfect timing on this post as I am looking for suggestions for a plain quality black leather belt with brass/silver buckle – the kind that Coach used to sell before they went logo crazy. Any sources?

    1. Depends on the cost. Hermes has gorgeous belts, but they are certainly expensive. But lovely. But expensive. Sigh.

       At a more reasonable price, I’ve had good luck with belts from Banana Republic and J.Crew, although at Banana you have to sort through the giant buckles to get to the more work-appropriate belts.

       1. Thanks!

          I went to Paris last year and still regret not buying the BF a gorgeous Hermes tie and a belt at Longchamp. Longchamp’s has retained classic pieces that remind me of older Coach style.

12. Love the belt but $87? Way out of my price range.

    Also LOVE the Boden dress which was recommended above. (I missed it in the catalogue). Super cute. I am a huge fan of Boden although find that some of their dresses and skirts are a bit long for me (I’m 5’3”).

    1. I’m 5’9″ and was happy to find a dress that was long enough! But glad you like (as this website is slowly helping me get out of my rut and become dare-I-say stylish)!

       1. Amy: I am 5’3″ and this dress was not too long for me, so it ought to work for you.

13. any ideas on where to find this or something like it in a, ahem, larger size? M probably wont cut it

14. Thanks so much for all of your feedback on the Boden dress! Just ordered it!

Comments are closed.