Sometimes I stare at my outfit in the mirror and think… something is missing. Whether you look like you need to change your shoes, or add some accent jewelry — one thing that many people tend to overlook is the power of what a simple belt can do to embellish an outfit. It can be a little difficult to find the perfect belt to go along with your outfit, and the perfect outfit to go with your belt, but not to worry! Here are some tips to help guide you to the road of style and trend; and some outfit inspirations to spice up your wardrobe. Let’s get started! How to:

Break a Single-colored Outfit

I personally find a belt to be very useful when I throw on an outfit that consists of the same color. Many people hesitate to match the same color together when styling their look for the day since it could look odd without other accent pieces; however, adding a belt can always help with breaking the invisible line between your top and bottom. You could spice it up in so many ways! Chains, animal prints, studs, the options are endless. Not to mention, you can use the same belt with many different outfits, and they’ll look like completely different stylish looks!

Define Your Waistline

Throwing on a cardigan or coat can be a great way to layer your look for extra texture. But it can sometimes tend to make your body look wider than it is, simply because of its loose, non-body-hugging fit. A belt is a great way to add shape by showing off and highlighting your waist while looking fab. Show off your curves, ladies — it’s an instant layer of glam!

Dress Up Your Basics

Many times, I find myself resorting to a simple dress for the day, to avoid that extra step of thinking about how to put together a top with a bottom. A great way to spruce up that dress is to add a stylish belt to it. This not only makes your outfit look more stylish, it keeps your outfit comfortable to wear too! It also helps to highlight your waistline when it comes to looser dresses to avoid losing your shape.

Adding a dark contrasting belt to your everyday denims can also quickly upgrade your go-to basic top + jeans combination — instantly making your outfit look more put-together without really doing much.

How do you like to add belts to your look?