Belts: your most reached for closet accessory. Made for function, perfected with fashion. Belts are the best way to elevate any look for any occasion! What was once strictly for keeping everything in place during hard days at work is now the finishing touch on a dressy look and a perfect pairing with pants and dresses alike!

With the endless selection of belt thickness, material, and style, it can be overwhelming to pick a look that best suits you. I know many friends that choose to opt out of adding a belt altogether because the choices get overwhelming. Even my own belt selection is limited because how could I pick out of everything out there? To help both you and I in this struggle, I've taken a long look at belt selections across all our favorite brands and found some of the best vibes for any occasion.

The Origin of the Belt

Now, I'm not saying that these are the ONLY belt styles out there, but I'm here to break down the basic differences between belt styles and what look they're best suited for. 

First off, we must identify the material that speaks to us. Belts can be made of anything, but the classic go-to has been and always will be leather. The material of choice dating all the way back to the Bronze Age; leather was fashioned into belts to serve a purely functional purpose of carrying tools. However, it's in our nature to be stylish, so these belts were quickly personalized and decorated throughout the centuries. Different cultures and subcultures adopted different designs like the renaissance era preferred wider belts to accentuate the waist and the American west embraced the large and ornate metal buckle.

One of the biggest trends to reemerge in the past couple years is the metal chain belt. Metal has been a choice material for belts since the Bronze Age, with bronze itself being crafted into belts along side leather for the same functional purpose. As time went on, metal belts remained a popular choice for full suits of armor in medieval times, all the way to the 90s as a funky accessory to add a little shine to a look. Now, chain belts are a go-to accessory for everything from everyday jeans to a slip dress for extra texture and waist snatching.

Keep in mind! Belts can be made out of practically anything. Rope, fabric, fiber, and more. Covering every option on the market would result in a book, rather than a blog. So today, we're sticking with top picks for leather and metal belt looks. You can't go wrong with these belts, and they're versatile to fit any look beyond what I'm recommending here. Modern elegance, casual grunge, and elevated in-between; take a deep breath, and find the outfit inspo that speaks to you!

Monochrome with a Shining Twist!

From elevated everyday to chic evenings, the monochrome look is the perfect way to add elegance and coordination to any outing. The question is, how do you accessorize? Commit to the single color vibe and go head-to-toe monochrome? Or add a contrast color for some pop? My advice, add some shine to the look. This is where the chain belt comes into play! A simple, thin chain wrap adds just the right amount of texture and style to take your sleek monochrome base to the next level. 

Enter, The Chain Belt from Frame. No fancy names for his belt, because it really is that girl. A long, simple chain that rests on the waist and dangles for gorgeous movement and eye-catching shimmers. Since it's super thin, it pairs perfectly with dresses and skirts like the Calden Skirt and Top matching separates from Cinq à Sept. Soft and comfortable, these pieces bring effortless elegance to any occasion. When it comes to accessorizing, why stop at the belt? Drape your look in silver accents with sleek silver earrings like the Margaux Huggies from Luv AJ and step out in style with Retrofête's Klotilde Slingback Heel in Silver. Seemingly simple, expertly coordinated. You're sure to be the talk of the town with a gorgeous outfit like this, finished with a belt that ties everything together.

Double Trouble

Accessorizing is literally your outfit's playground, why not go all out? Level up your style game with not one, but two belts that are bold and beautiful on their own, but compliment each other for an unexpected and perfectly unique look for elevated evenings and chilled out days alike! The key to make this look stand out is to keep things simple. A coordinated color scheme, intentional accessories, and a sleek silhouette are expert ways to make your stacked belt look shine. 

Looking for belts that tell a story? Ottod'ame is always the right choice. Their artisanal European design and influence create a strong and recognizable look that everyone loves. New additions to our collection, the Leather Belt with Studs and the Leather Belt with Mirror Embellishment are super cool blends of leather and metal craftsmanship. Stunners on their own, but they both possess a circle motif in their studs and embellishments that come together to create a perfectly complimentary layered look! Set these beauties over a sleek pant like the Kenna Trouser in Chocolate from Simkhai so they rest elegantly on the waist with room to move without the constrictions of belt loops. Pants with belt loops work for this look, as well. The key is to loop one belt through them and then rest your second (or even third!) on top so it slants on the waist for a beautiful reveal. Keep the look going with a fitted tee like NSF's Gia U-Neck Baby Tee in Cherry for an extra pop of color. Bring out the silver accents in the belt with silver hoops like Luv AJ's Rope Huggies and the Eliza Embellished Suede Glam Flat from Schutz for subtle shine from head-to-toe! Fun, flashy, and memorable; this is the look for effortless glam and for when you want to look expertly styled with minimal effort.

It-Girl Everyday

City girls, beach babes, and every girlie in-between is embracing the "messy chic" look for everyday styling. That means, elevated basics, simple accessorization, and playful color-blending. The classic uniform that I've been loving? Baggy wide leg jeans paired with a light and airy top. At the center of it all, a classic leather belt that ties vintage inspiration and sophisticated style together. The classic of classics, the standard buckle and simple leather working that makes a belt a closet staple for a lifetime. Throw on your favorite flats or walking shoes, add an oversized jacket on colder days, and it's as simple as that! Minimal effort brings the coolest vibes. Stay on top of the latest style trends with staples that your can wear for years to come.

Start simple, like the Saba Belt in a rich Cognac brown from Bellerose. It's sturdy, expertly crafted, and even likes to have a little fun with its antique double circle buckle design. Loop it through any pair of wide leg, loose, or baggy jeans like the Bow Crop from Frame for that old school vibe. An elegant little tank like the Libi Camisole from Cami NYC brings soft femininity to the look, and keeps you cool with soft, breathable fabric and delicate lace. Sturdy and chic flats like 3.1 Phillip Lim's Kate Lug Sole Mary Janes are the perfect pair that will take you through the entire day into fun nighttime activities. As a girl on the go, you'll need a little bag with you to carry all your needs. The Luna Mini Denim Crossbody Bag is unique, roomy, and expertly ties together your denim and black shoes (We love a black and brown blend here!). Now, you could stop there. You have built a perfect sunny day look. However, as temperatures drop, your entire outfit can still stay the same, just add a light jacket like The Rhinestone Chain Adani Jacket from Cinq à Sept! Cute and neutral, this jacket features rhinestone accents that add a perfect amount of sparkle to your look. Everyday styling with easy functionality has never looked this good!

And there you have it! Accessorizing tips for any occasion that's versatile and easy to do again and again. Who knew belts were such a staple in human history? No wonder they're always there exactly when you need them. Keep these looks in mind next time you need a closet refresh, and don't forget the perfect accessory that ties it all together!

Looking for more styling tips? Check out some of our other blogs like: Hot Yacht Summer!. Show us how you styled you favorite pieces from Bleu on instagram: @bleuclothing.