Whether you’re cinching a dress around the waist or accessorizing your favorite boyfriend jeans, this how-to will make sure your belt is as stylish as it is functional.
When we look at our closets, we seem to focus on the what and not the how. In other words, it’s all about the clothes and accessories and less about how you wear them…when, in reality, it’s the latter that really defines personal style. So, this week, we’re going to focus on little hacks that’ll help you wear the clothes you already own in the best possible ways, complete with step-by-step how-tos. First up? How to master a perfectly knotted belt. This is one of those style tricks that you’ve probably seen on just about every street style star from Olivia Palermo to Helena Bordon…and you’ve probably wondered if they all went to the same belt-knotting seminar (they must’ve?). It’s entirely possible, but not to worry: We’ve got your cheat sheet right here. Whether you’re cinching a dress around the waist or accessorizing your favorite boyfriend jeans, this how-to will make sure your belt is as stylish as it is functional. Want to wear your favorite hip-sized version around your waist or have your eye on your boyfriend’s classic J.Crew iteration? This trick is especially helpful for belts that are too big to use the notches. Click through for the full step-by-step, and start upping your belt game.
Step 1
Wrap the belt around your waist the way you normally would.
Step 2
Pull the free end of the belt through the belt buckle. In this case, mine is on the back of the strap, but either way works. If your belt is small enough that you can use the notches to secure it, do so. If not, no worries—just move on to the next step.
Step 3
Bring the loose end of the belt up towards you with the wrong side facing out. If your belt has a standard buckle (meaning the loose end of the belt is in front), you’ll want to bring the loose end towards you by wrapping it behind the part of the belt that’s closest to you before you angle it upwards.
Step 4
Now fold the end of the belt down toward the ground and thread it through the opening you’ve made.
Step 5
Tighten up the knot so that it’s secure around your waist.
Step 6
Voilà—the finished product!
See how happy you can be when you’ve got the perfect belt knot?
