After a short break, we’re back with Five Take! The idea behind Five Take is pretty simple. One theme, five people… resulting in five different looks. The only restriction is having to shop from our closets. Sounds easy enough, right?
Lately I’ve been stressed – school, work, missing home and my family… besides, July is not exactly my favorite month. Which I’ll get into later… but it is nice to get back to blogging with a challenge that is right up my alley – belts!
Shirt – Ross, 1x
Skirt – Vintage, via Cupcakes and Muffintops
Cardigan – Talbots, 2x
Shoes – Clarks, 11
Belt – Talbots, 2x
Belts are my favorite accessory. I’m a belt junkie. I have WAY too many. They can be functional or decorative, add a pop of color, change a shirt into a dress, help with “fit” and much more.
I’ve come full circle – from not wearing belts, thinking I couldn’t wear them… to wearing them with everything. And now, I’m actively trying to avoid the knee-jerk reaction to belt, belt, belt. I only succeed half the time, but that’s okay.
One thing I’ve learned is that a belt can be a great accessory, but it is just another styling tool, and not necessary for every outfit. The most common reasons I wear a belt are – for a pop of color or “fit”.
I’ve been dying to wear this (ridiculously expensive, just a warning) cardigan from Talbots that I got on a shopping trip with my friend Julie a few weeks ago. Today it was unseasonably cool, so I thought I’d wear it over a simple black base, to highlight the sweater, and drove to matchy town with the shoes, belt and lipstick.
I’ve gone the way of the Land’s End dress with these belts – I picked up multiple colors in their summer sale. Non-elastic, patent leather belts in bright colors? Kryptonite.
Tonight Chris and I went out for dinner with one of his long time friends. Our companions said it was their first double date as a couple – ours too! Actually, I was informed that we’re apparently “past dating”. Should that end since we’ve lived together for a handful of months? Hmmm… debatable!
Since our outing went well past sunset, we tried to think of a place that had enough light to take pictures for today’s post. I broke my flash on the 4th of July (first a lens, now the flash, what’s next?) and there aren’t too many places to take pictures after dark!
Nearby there is a parking garage that seemed pretty well lit, but taking pictures in public spaces after dark is kind of risky – especially in Texas. Which turned out to be true. A security guard approached us and asked what we were doing, but was surprisingly nice about it. I think he would have given us a few minutes to finish up but both of us felt kind of guilty and left.
It is a shame, the lighting was pretty good!
My favorite belts have always been the 2″, elastic variety. One problem I have with elastic belts is that they migrate. No matter what, the belt moves up until it is what my brother deemed a “boob belt”. Thanks Mitch!
As I got more comfortable, I started experimenting with more non-elastic belts but they can be difficult to find in plus sizes, especially in bright colors (my favorite). I have less “migration problems” with traditional belts because I can tighten them up. When the skinny belt became a trend, I wasn’t sure it would work for my shape because as belts do… they move up and skinny belts have a tendency to disappear. Poof!
Moving and my ever-changing sartorial preferences have made me realize that I’ve outgrown my collection of belts. I used to alternate through many, but now I stick with a handful of favorites.
Looking to start (or augment) your own collection? Here are a few of my favorite places:
Torrid – elastic/non-elastic, styles and colors vary, sizes 1-5
Re/Dress – elastic belts, black and 4 colors, one size (works best for 2x-4x)
Fashion To Figure – very similar (if not identical to Re/Dress), several colors available, one size
Talbots – various fashion elastic/non-elastic belts, some leather, 1x-3x
Target – XXL belts can be surprisingly stretchy
And of course… always check out the thrift store, if that’s your thing! I have a few that are fantastic. The 80s was a great time for elastic belts with amazing buckles. You can even replace the elastic if it is worn out or gross – I’ve done it.
Check out how the other Five Take ladies wore their belts:
Claire – A Monkey Fatshionista
Rebecca – The Plus Side of Me
Gina – Fat Fit Fine
Becky – The Ramblings of Mrs BeBe
Do you wear belts? What is your favorite belted outfit?
You look great with your pops of color; I’m sold, I need some colorful belts (and shoes, but that’s another can of worms). Mine are mostly silver, black, and brown–in fact, on my blog I’ve only alternated between three belts (facepalm, didn’t even realize it!) and I am constantly wearing them.
One thing I recently discovered is the weave belt – these belts are awesome because you pick the perfect setting for where you want it to clasp, as instead of holes through the belt, you just slide through the weave. I really love them.
Happy belting :)
Thanks Ais! I think I have the colorful belts covered. I’m still working on shoes. My feet are picky… so I can’t buy all the cute, cheap, colorful shoes that I’d like.
I have a handful of belts that I wear regularly too. They are the favorites! No problem with that. Once they get worn out, you’ll wear the others. ;)
I love the weave belts too. Though I don’t like how they tend to stretch out too much and get narrower on one side. I’ve learned to clasp them a little looser than I would most of my belts and it helps.
I love that cardigan- it’s a perfectly lovely shade on you. :)
I hate belts and have done so for years. They always feel too tight and uncomfortable and I feel self conscious in them. I’ve also gone with the weave belt that Ais mentioned, but then they always stretch out funny!
Thanks Kathleen! It seemed a little bright at first, but it has grown on me. The beading is absolutely gorgeous though.
I don’t mind the restriction of belts, I guess. A friend of mine and I had the same size waist – the belts felt fine to me but she felt like she was suffocating! We’re all different. I had a surgery that sliced down through my abdomen in 2008… maybe some of the feeling is gone? Hahaha.
I have the same problem with the woven belts, especially if they are man-made. I think a woven leather belt would be a little better. The leather would give and get worn in, but I think there would still be structure.
I had the same problem for a long time – no belts whatsoever, then a few belts, then resisting the urge to wear belts with everything. I do think you can rock a belt though… you always look so polished when you pair them with your outfits!
Thanks Crystal! I keep using them as a crutch to “finish” off an outfit, wear clothes that I’m not enthusiastic about… or fix the “fit” when I should be getting stuff tailored. So I’m trying to identify those issues and fix them, before adding belts, haha.
I love this outfit, especially the cardigan! Do you miss the Talbots outlet or do they have one in Texas? I love Talbots belts – probably 75% of my belt collection (maybe 25?) are from there. I only buy leather ones – I can’t deal with the disappearing elastic ones! I’ve commented on many other blogs about the dearth of good quality WIDE leather belts though – I want a few corset type belts and can’t find them for a reasonable price. Any suggestions?
Love the shoes too, btw!
They have one at the outlet mall nearby, but I haven’t made a visit yet. I bought a couple of leather belts from the Talbots outlet after I checked it out last year (at your suggestion!). My favorite needs to be repaired, some of the stitching came loose. :(
As far as wide leather belts go… I haven’t seen too many. Have you looked at Etsy? You could get one custom made but that might be pricy. I’ve looked into leather belts there before, but haven’t purchased anything. The Ren Faire might also be a good place to look, haha.
That smiling photo is SO SWEET
Haha, thank you. Just being silly! Or it might have been just as we got caught…
Great outfit. I love this cute cardigan and the color combination pink and green is nice.
XX,
Jenny
Thanks Jenny!
This is a *fantastic* color combo. Love the bright pops of lime and pink with black. So chic!
the green cardigan makes your skin / hair look gorgeous
Love love love this outfit! I have a lot of belts too. We have a shop in the UK called Primark and it’s great for belts that cost £3 max!
I just found your blog and love it! I subscribed!
Take a look at mine and subscribe? I’m starting plus size and curvy fashion posts soon :)
Wow, £3 is a deal! I’ve spent a lot of money on belts… I have a whole drawer full and just don’t wear them as much as I used to. Oops.
I’ll definitely check out your blog. Thanks for dropping by!