Some have spent the entire pandemic with their eye on a few select accessories to use and wear as soon as the time to go out again arrived—be it that Hermès iPhone case, Bottega Veneta’s Knotted Tote, or those thong sandals from The Row. Unlike bags and shoes, belts don’t always get the recognition they deserve, but when styled well, the best designer belts can become the star of an outfit.
In fact, the belt was the one accessory designers didn’t shy away from for spring/summer 2021: Labels like Chanel, Prada, JW Anderson, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton all showed looks with waist-cinchers that rounded out their looks. It's proof that a little shape can often transform an outfit. After months and months of baggy joggers, forgiving wide-leg pants, and other oversized, don’t-touch-my-body silhouettes, it’s time to get reacquainted with the ultimate sartorial workhorse. Ahead, 18 chic designer belts.
Chanel and Celine are never labels to shy away from a belt. This season, chainmail iterations like the one seen here were worn at the waist.
Bottega Veneta’s now-iconic Horseshoe belt led the way for similar statement-making belts that are creatively knotted or otherwise tied.
Wide belts have been back for a minute—but considering the trend starting resurfacing in early 2020, it hasn’t even begun to run its course. Keep the trend going with something oversized enough that it doubles as a corset.
This article first appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US