A couple of weeks ago fashion’s favourite Hailey Bieber attended the OBB Studios opening party in an all-black Schiaparelli look, but there was a particularly un-Hailey aspect to the outfit. Hailey Bieber is known for her love of minimal and classic style, but the star of her Schiaparelli look was the statement belt that was cinched around her waist. This transgression against her usual minimalist styling highlights the return of yet another 2000s trend, the statement belt.
While the early 2000s loved making a belt the central focus of their outfit (especially a thick high-waisted number) the accessory seemed to fall off our radar for a few years in the mid-late 2010s. The belt was almost forgotten about, treated as a ‘boring’ or practical element of an outfit rather than as an accessory. However, the past few years have seen a resurgence in the use of belts in a variety of different forms. While these trend pieces may not always take the form of a traditional belt, they prove one thing, the statement belt did not die it simply evolved.
Statement Belts
Both Schiaparelli and Louis Vuitton allowed extremely oversized belts take centre stage in their SS23 collections. The statement belts truly channelled the mid-late 2000s wide and high waisted belt. The sparkling gold hardware seemed reminiscent of the ‘bling-bling’ y2k era and combined with the excessive width of the belts to truly make this accessory central to the look. Louis Vuitton even went as far to debut a dress where the entire mid-riff was contained by a belt buckle.
Alaïa Ovale Belt
Buckle Print
Louis Vuitton did not only feature statement belts in its SS23 collection, but it also made buckles the statement pattern for its non-belted items. This serves to prove that belts have truly transitions beyond their useful history into the realm one of fashion’s favourite trends, making formally helpful items completely impractical, and we love it.
The Bare-Waist and Belt Combo
Louis Vuitton really knew that belts were the accessory of 2023 and so also made them a key feature in their 2023 Resort collection. Channelling their inner Carrie Bradshaw, the collection featured various looks that had a thin belt placed over a bare waist. This served to show that the belt need not be a particularly out-there design if styled in an alternative fashion. While some despaired over this styling decision, it is a really interesting way to play with the dimensions and proportions of your outfit. And ultimately, all it takes is for Bella Hadid to sport this look (which we think she should) and it’ll be everyone’s favourite new styling trend.
Belt Bags
Want a way to spice-up an age-old accessory? Turn it into a completely different accessory. And that is the story of how Hodakova’s belt bag was born. Hodakova plays with belting across its designs from tops to dresses, but their ever-sold-out buckle bag is their most popular item. The heavily buckled bag has been seen on the arm of Kylie Jenner and just like anything she wears, has been impossible to track down since.
Hodakova x Buckle Bag
Belt Skirts
Diesel’s AW22 show was filled to the brim with re-imagined denim, but the most popular item from this show was not denim at all. It was their take on the micro-mini that had us all going wild. The thick belt worn as a skirt truly re-invented the belt and helped to place it back on the map whilst adding a twist to the micro-mini trend. However, the belt-skirt is not limited to the deceptive look of wearing a belt as a skirt, Hodakova have also been pioneering the belt skirt with their heavily buckled belt that appears to be made of various belts woven together.
Diesel B-Skirty
Hodakova x Belt Skirt
Belt Tops
Miu Miu played a huge part in the resurgence of the statement belt. In particular its belted mini-skirt co-ord that took to the runway in their SS22 collection. While the look debuted a couple of years ago, it is not going anywhere as Miu Miu continues to evolve this look spanning from formal attire on Elsa Hosk to the utility-inspired bralet worn by Kendall Jenner in their latest campaign. While the belt-top may be a Miu Miu staple, the look has also been adopted by other designers including Hodakova, the designer behind the viral belt bag, and Diesel who have riding the belt trend out since the success of their belt micro-mini skirt.
Double Belting
Another belt trend that Miu Miu loves is the double belting trend, seen on the likes of Bella Hadid the double belt is taking over street-style. From preppy school-girl looks to a baggy dad jean, the double belt adds a point of interest to any outfit.
Words by Amelia Gregory
Graphics Header Image By Mia Washbrook
