obi belt

There are two types of dressers in this world: those who use accessories to the extent of their basic function (scarves for keeping necks warm; belts for holding up pants), and those who get creative and add extra life to them.

Two years ago, I was stuck in the former category, but over time as I learned to use clothing to my advantage as an outlet for creativity and self-expression, I slowly immersed myself into the world of the latter one. My pants usually fit me well around the waist and don’t risk sagging unattractively, so instead of using my belts in the traditional way, I like to keep them handy for waist-cinching and creative knotting.

Certain outfits thrive best without being covered up by bulky, shapeless outerwear, but you can add new proportions by cinching in the slimmest part of your midsection to give the outerwear some shape. I love my Topshop duster coat – it’s soft and lightweight and the perfect shade of camel – but the relaxed shape sometimes overwhelms my figure. But this is a problem with an easy fix: by using a wide waist belt to draw attention to the waistline, I can stay warm under my jacket all the while showing off an hourglass figure! I have two other great waist belts, but I especially love this unique Asos leather one.

The next time you decide your outfit needs a little something extra to pull it all into one cohesive look, grab one of your belts and get creative with it!

Thanks so much for reading!