What are some good guidelines for choosing belts to wear with skirts to work? Reader S wonders…
I’d love it if you could do a round up or a how to wear belts with skirts. I love the look of belts with skirts and I’m not really sure how to pick which width to go with or to coordinate colors.
We’ve talked about wearing belts— as well as the closely-related question of when to tuck — before, but not specifically with skirts.
I’ll be honest here: I’m not much of a tucker myself, so I don’t often wear belts with skirts. Pencil skirt plus fitted pullover plus blazer equals outfit. Fit and flare skirt plus fitted cardigan equals outfit.
I have a lot more fun, in general, with other accessories. If a skirt doesn’t fit at the waist, I am much more likely to get it tailored than I am to try to hold it up with a belt.
{related: how to stop skirts from twisting around}
So I’m curious to hear what other readers say with tips for how to wear belts with skirts.
How to Wear Belts with Skirts
I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules — just guidelines to play around with. Some thoughts:
If you’re tucking, you don’t have to have a belt, but it can be a nice touch. I would suggest the belt has more to do with your body type than the outfit, though — this article from Glam Radar may be helpful reading.
Skirt with Belt Loops = Same-Sized Belt
A skirt with belt loops is rare, but then you should match the belt to the size of the belt loops. Even then I’d say you don’t HAVE to wear a belt if you aren’t tucking, but that’s me.
{related: recent picks for belts to wear with dresses}
Stay tuned for a roundup of our latest favorite “classic” belts for work!
High Waisted Skirt = Skinny Belt
A high waisted skirt can look great with a skinny belt. Go with a silky blouse or — if you dare — a bodysuit to get a streamlined look.
If you want a sleek, polished look, don’t miss out on the classic bodysuits for work outfits. Some of our Hall of Famers include Everlane, Paige, Commando, SKIMS, Madewell, and Wolford. You can also try these unusual suspenders to keep shirts tucked neatly!
There are a lot of fun cropped sweaters this season that would also perhaps look nice with a high-waisted skirt — but I think it’s best to avoid the crop top for the office.
(Ladies, what do you wear with high-waisted skirts?)
Pictured at top: Black Halo’s high-waisted pencil skirt, available exclusively online; ShopBop also has a few colors.
Look for Self-Belted Skirts
Self-belts: A skirt that has a self-belt also looks nice with a tucked look. See, for example, the Akris Punto belted look, above.
Ladies — particularly those of you who frequently tuck — what are your suggestions with belts, and how to wear belts with skirts? Do you think there are any rules?
Social media images: Deposit Photos / studio-fi.
Smart Casual
Question for all – love the red high-waisted skirt with belt above but can’t think it would look good after 1/2 hour sitting. Does anyone have success with this IRL?
Parfait
Not I. That belt would be up under my boobs in no time.
Anon
Yes, but I have a long torso and stumpy legs.
AIMS
I wear belts with skirts. I like wide belts (~2 inches) – they define the waist nicely and it’s easier for a wide belt to stay in place (if there are no loops). I don’t think tucking is a prerequisite, blousy tops look really nice with a skinny or wide belt over them. For a while, I saw a lot of women belt cardigans over skirt/top a la Michele Obama so that’s another idea, though maybe not the most current one.
Oh, and for high-waisted skirts I really like crisp button downs, boatneck tops, or black turtlenecks (if the skirt is full, not a pencil).
AIMS
ETA: Probably more like 3 inches, than 2. Think along these lines http://indulgy.com/post/4cWOayAED2/red-or-burgundy-cardi-navy-checked-ruffle-blous
[If you google “wide belt skirt” and go to images you’ll find lots of inspiration… Pinterest has tons of ideas, too]
la vie en bleu
i wear a blousy top tucked in and barely bloused out. I basically still want to dress exactly like Adele in Dollhouse. Don’t tell me it’s a dated look now, honey badger don’t give a d@mn.
Mags
I promise I dont work for them- I just really love my bradamant bodysuit– I have the boss in cream and it smoothes out nicely under skirts and doesnt come untucked when I sit down! http://www.bradamant.com/collections/bestsellers
NYNY
Kat, I swear you posted this just to taunt us with that $1K Akris outfit. I would wear the hell out of that!
TO Lawyer
I occasionally wear a wide belt with a pencil skirt and a blouse that’s tucked in. I feel like it gives my outfit a little something extra when it’s a bit boring . (But then I usually end up taking off my belt after lunch for a couple hours).
Emily
Yep. This. Wide belts cut in when you sit or maybe I just have this problem?
S In Chicago
I always worry that wide belt and pencil skirt is going to look too va va voom. Maybe too many times seeing the look rocked by a Kardashian?
Anonymous
I think wide belt and pencil skirt looks trashy, whether or not you have curves. I don’t know if its the Kardashian association, but it’s a very “cheap” look to me.
AIMS
I think you have to make sure nothing is skin tight – either the skirt is more of an A-line shape or the top is more blousey, or something. Also, I think you have to find the right belt. If it’s too wide, it looks like a corset and that’s not a good work look. My favorite belt to wear is a braided one with a rounded buckle, which is a little softer looking so it tends to work better for the office.
Not quite, but similar to this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/203907857/wide-braided-belt-woven-brown-faux?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_vintage-accessories-belt-low&ione_adtype=pla&ione_creative=54864783395&ione_product_id=203907857&ione_product_partition_id=89248101155&ione_store_code=&ione_device=c&ione_product_channel=online&ione_merchant_id=101361908&ione_product_country=US&ione_product_language=en&gclid=CJDE6_D_r8QCFeFj7AodKU4APA
Emma
I’m an apple shape, and have never been able to start wearing skinny belts to accentuate my waist. I wear a lot of dresses — some of which definitely need a skinny belt — but I just try to avoid the belt problem by wearing a cardigan. My fear about the belt is that it’s just going to cinch me in, especially when I’m sitting down, and my torso isn’t elongated. Or, to be frank, I worry that the belt is just going to be uncomfortable to wear and make me look fat.
I’m wondering if anyone else has dealt with this issue? I’ve been keeping my eye out for a belt with some hidden stretch in it, because that might help with the comfort thing.
kc
I’m in between an hour glass and apple (definitely have curves but they aren’t super severe). Belts can also be really uncomfortable for me if I’m bloated or feeling fat and sitting for a long time.
Emily
Belts don’t do much for me either (apple). but I can rock a pencil skirt. :D
Idea
I read that Glam Radar article and I’m sure the advice is acceptable, but hardly any of the pictures seem to go with the nearby text. Confusing.
Jordan
I’m personally a big fan of the look of high-waisted skirts with skinny belts – I don’t tend to wear either, however. These pics are some pretty good inspiration for new outfits!
SoCalTraffic
I love the look of a loose-ish blouse with a cardigan and a skinny belt pulling it all together over a pencil skirt.
Unfortunately my problem is that my belts fit my (high) waist but not my upper hips where most of my pants lie :/
Also, anyone else “appreciate” the “belts should be worn with care and caution” warning in the glam article?