If Your Goal Is to Look French, Start With This One Accessory

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Raise your hand if you've ever been scrolling through the Instagram feed of your favorite French fashion influencer and thought to yourself, "How do they manage to look so chic?"  Don't worry—you're not alone. As embarrassing as it might be to admit, our editors spend an egregious amount of time doing the same thing as you! We're constantly looking for outfit inspiration, shopping recommendations, and runway trends from Paris. You could say that's cemented us as connoisseurs of all things French related. Sure, we might not call Paris home. But we've done enough work to answer the age-old question about why they're so stylish. Spoiler: It has nothing to do with them having that je ne sais quoi.

The secret to their style always lies in their solid curation of accessories—shoes, bags, belts, and so on. This is possibly the most important piece in their toolbox, and a great belt, specifically, can transform an outfit from mundane to magnifique. If you're unsure what types of belts are worth investing in, don't fret. Ahead, we've done the heavy lifting for you by sharing a few tips on how to shop for a belt and shopped out the 23 best belts for women you can buy online right now. We were able to craft this list by taking into account reviews, quality, price point, trends, editorial perspective, and how much the style set wears these belts. Even if you're not Parisian, you can look the part. 

How to Shop for a Belt

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(Image credit: @aidabadji_)

While shopping for a belt may seem easier than finding the perfect pair of jeans or saving up for that trendy designer bag, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

1. Determine your needs up front: Before you buy a belt, you should know whether you want your belt to be functional or ornamental. Do you need a belt to hold pants or cinch in a dress? Can it be purely for accessorizing? Ensure you're clear about what's missing in your closet before checking out. 

2. Take your measurements: You definitely can get away with guessing which belt size works best for you based on the typical size you take in jeans, but if you want to avoid having to make a return, it's best to measure yourself. Just be sure to measure directly around the waist or below the bust based on where you want the belt to lay on your body to ensure the best match for sizing.

3. Shop with adjustability in mind: Everyone's body is always fluctuating; there's no shame in it! Instead of stressing about sizing, consider opting for a belt with adjustable elements (e.g., elasticity, extra loops, or longer lengths) so that you can wear it throughout the years. 

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(Image credit: @tamaramory)

4. Consider design details: When choosing the right belt, it's not just about knowing what function you want it to serve or your measurements. You should also consider the smaller details like the width, hardware, and color of the belt. For instance, a belt with a broader shape can define the waist well, while narrower ones work well from a functional perspective. The hardware—the belt buckle, studs, belt loops, etc.—can determine whether a belt feels trend-forward or timeless. Lastly, the color of the belt itself can cement it as a staple or a statement item, so it's essential to consider all of these elements when shopping for a belt. 

5. Pay attention to materials: As time-consuming as it might be when shopping for a belt, it doesn't hurt to take a few extra minutes to look at the product details. Some accessories may be advertised as being made from "leather" or "sustainable materials" but actually aren't made to last. 

6. Evaluate the cost per wear: No matter what your budget is for buying a belt, it's important to consider how much you'll actually be able to wear said item. For some, belts are an everyday essential that warrants investing in a designer version. Others might be searching for a cheap way to make their clothes look cute. Whatever the case, make sure you're making the best purchase by considering how much you'll actually wear it. 

Ready to find a belt? Keep scrolling for our roundup of the best belts for women based on reviews, quality, trends, and editorial perspective.

Best Belt Overall: Saint Laurent Logo Slim Leather Belt

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(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

Best Affordable Belt: H&M Leather Belt

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(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

Best Designer Belt: Celine Triomphe Belt

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(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Best Leather Belt: J.Crew Classic Italian Leather Belt

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(Image credit: @lenaherrmann)

Best Reversible Belt: Tory Burch Miller Reversible Logo Belt

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(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Best Chain Belt: Shashi Classic Layered Coin Belt

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(Image credit: @pia_mbd)

Best Braided Belt: Old Navy Wide Ring-Buckle Faux-Leather Braided Belt

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(Image credit: @erinoffduty)

Best Studded Belt: Khaite The Benny Belt 

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(Image credit: @estellepigault)

Best Thin Belt: Open Edit Jane Wishbone Leather Belt

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(Image credit: @iamzoefoster)

Best Wide Belt: Janessa Leone Belt 05

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Best Black Belt: COS Classic Leather Belt

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Best Brown Belt: Madewell The Essential Leather Belt

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(Image credit: @endlesslyloveclub)

Best Belt for Jeans: B-Low the Belt Molly Belt

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(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

Shop More Noteworthy Belts

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(Image credit: @melodiebance)
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Who What Wear) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked on Who What Wear's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.