Belted Outfits for Spring 2024

Belts are making a come back this year, after being on the back burner for quite some time. I love how they finish off an outfit, but I get a lot of questions about how to style belts and requests for outfit inspiration, so here are some of the belted outfits I’ve worn this spring.

KUT from the Kloth jacket (S) // Madewell tee (S) // PAIGE denim (29) (similar for less) // Sam Edelman slides (8) // similar belt // straw clutch

I talked about how to style a belt a few weeks ago, so definitely check that out, if you missed it. This post is primarily intended for outfit inspiration, but I’ll try to explain the choices I made, and of course I’ll link everything up!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 5 Tips for Styling A Belt with Jeans

This first outfit is very neutral and low contrast, and I wanted the belt to be seen but not stand out in a dramatic way, so I chose a neutral tone that complements my shoes. And since thinner belts tend to look dressier than thicker belts, I went with a thinner belt with elegant hardware, which is in keeping with the business casual look

Sanctuary blouse (S) // LOFT pants (6) // similar pumps // similar belt

This is another monochromatic neutral look, but this time I did want the belt to create a contrast, so I chose a wider belt in a medium brown shade that’s more casual than the one above but still a classic style.

In both cases, I did a front tuck with the blouse, and let some hang out on the sides. This is intentional. I have a very high natural waist that is only getting thicker with age, and my belts sit an in inch or two below that so it is not a place I want to highlight with a long horizontal line. By blousing out the top on the sides, I make that horizontal line shorter, thus making the appearance of a smaller waist.

stripe blouse (S) // PAIGE Claudine (29) // Sam Edelman slides (8) // straw clutch // similar belt

This is a similar look, with olive pants instead of white.

stripe blouse (S) // KUT from the Kloth Meg (6) // Vince Camuto sandals (8) // Dragon Diffusion tote // similar belt

This is another monochromatic outfit that’s broken up by the brown belt. Again, I did a front tuck and bloused out the sides. It both shortens the line of the belt, and creates the appearance of curves, rather than a boxy silhouette.

Treasure & Bond sweater (S) // Wit & Wisdom pants (6) // Vionic sandals (7.5) // similar belt

This outfit is a similar idea, but with a skirt. A lot of women would do a full tuck with this outfit, and I love that look on those who have more balanced proportions, but it doesn’t work well for me, so this is my work-around.

stripe tee (M) // denim skirt (29) // Sam Edelman slides // Dragon Diffusion tote // exact belt (M)

Here, I have a simple white t-shirt and denim outfit. I almost always belt a simple outfit like this because I feel like it needs that extra point of interest. Again, a front tuck with the tee hanging down on the sides creates curves and defines the waist (or where the waistband of my jeans is located) while also making it look smaller by shortening that horizontal line.

The addition of rattan earrings, rattan slides, and straw bag adds interest and texture, and keeps the look summery and light. I chose a skinny belt in a color that coordinates with all of those accessories.

By the way, the FRAME Le Mid Rise V-Neck T-Shirt is on sale at Saks! It’s my favorite. I actually have two because I wear it so much, and I always travel with both, in case one gets stained. I recommend sizing down, if in between.

FRAME tee (XS) // KUT from the Kloth jeans (6) // Sam Edelman slides (8) // straw clutch // exact belt (90) (similar belt)

I would describe the formality of this next outfit as dressy-casual, so I chose a medium brown leather belt that coordinates with my bag and shoes. They’re all different shades of brown, so they aren’t too matchy-matchy, but I like how the create a cohesive look. I like how the brown creates a contrast against the white on white look, and the denim jacket tops it off.

Wearing the jacket on top of the belt is a similar strategy to the one above, with the front tuck. The coat covers up and thus shortens that horizontal line created by the belt, which gi evs the appearance of a smaller waist.

AG denim jacket (S) (similar for less) // similar white tee (S) // PAIGE Leenah Trouser Jeans (29) // Vince Camuto Clarissa (8) // Dragon Diffusion tote // similar belt

I did the same thing here, but with a sweater jacket. I feel like in this case, a narrower belt would look better. This one looks rather heavy to me.

ribbed tee (M) // sweater jacket (S) // similar jeans (29) // Vince Camuto sandals (8) // Dragon Diffusion tote // exact belt (M)

You can achieve the same effect with a longer cardigan. I didn’t match my belt to the shoes in this outfit, but it’s a similar color to my handbag. (I wish I’d realized how loose my belt was. I don’t like it when my belts feel tight, so sometimes they end up sagging a bit when I start moving around. It definitely should have been on a tighter setting.)

Caslon cardigan (S) // FRAME tee (XS) // FRAME Le Easy Flare Jeans (29) (similar for less) // Marc Fisher booties (8) // similar belt

These outfits are starting to get redundant, but here’s another version of the white on white outfit with the denim jacket above. I like how the kick flares show off the shoes.

AG denim jacket (S) (similar for less) // FRAME tee (XS) // PAIGE Claudine (29) // Vionic sandals // Dragon Diffusion tote // similar belt

And here’s a similar look with olive wide leg ankle jeans and clogs, for those with chilly spring weather.

AG denim jacket (S) (similar for less) // Treasure & Bond sweater (S) // KUT from the Kloth Meg (6) // Kork-Ease clogs (8) // exact belt (90) (similar for less)

And this is a similar outfit I wore to travel a few weeks ago.

Gap utility jacket (S) // FRAME tee (XS) // PAIGE denim (29) (similar for less) // P448 sneakers (39) // exact belt (90) (similar for less)

I love a black and white outfit, and this one shows how the belt finishes the look, even though it doesn’t create much contrast. Also, this is a great little jacket for the in-between weather so many of us are experiencing right now.