The Anti-Trend Accessory That Makes Every Outfit Look 10 Times More Expensive

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware that there’s always something new in fashion, whether it's the return of nostalgic trends (hello, belts, and ballet flats) or a new designer to follow. Fashion is ever-evolving, which makes it exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. Keeping up takes time and energy, so we fashion editors aim to help give you back some of that precious time and discern which items are in it for the long haul. What makes something timeless but still current can be a fickle line to distinguish—a trend often has to have cultural relevance and popularity in collections and among the style set. But some still stand out among the crowd, including designer belts.

Hear me out. Belts have been a forever thing. They’ve been cemented in our closets and pop culture. (After all, a whole scene in The Devil Wears Prada is about belts.) So you can’t fully say belts are a trend, but they are back and bigger than ever. The proof that designer belts are in the mix again lies in the fall/winter 2024 and spring/summer 2025 collections. From Chanel and Miu Miu's chain belts to the more classic iterations at Saint Laurent and Michael Kors, it’s clear that BBE (big belt energy) is the way to go this year. Not only do designer belts come in all different varieties, but you can also wear them with just about anything. They elevate any look and are often the most affordable way to get your hands on a luxury brand.

Basically, belts are it. So, in that vein, I’ve rounded up the 10 best designer belts to shop right now, along with a few other affordable options at the end of the story. From the most popular luxury pieces to newer iterations worth investing in, these belts will be a part of your wardrobe for years to come.

1. Loewe Obi Belt

Nothing embodies BBE more than Loewe’s Obi Belt. When Loewe released this corset-inspired belt, it became a fan favorite among the fashion set. With iterations ranging from denim to leather, its versatility both in form and how you can style it makes it arguably one of the coolest designer belts to buy.

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2. Dior Montaigne Reversible Belt

When it comes to investing in luxury items, there’s no better place to start than with Dior, especially for designer belts. Dior’s Oblique jacquard print is arguably the most famous in fashion, so buying a belt in the iconic print is a sound investment. This print will outlive any trend cycle, and it will become an integral part of your wardrobe for years to come.

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3. Gucci Blondie Belt

Not to sound like a broken record, but one of the best things about designer belts is that they’re accessible to all, which isn’t always the case with luxury. No other belt has quite reached cult status like Gucci’s interlocking GGs belt. It’s become a must-have for the fashion set and beyond because of its simple design with a splash of luxury.

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4. Chanel Chain Belt

Is it even possible to round up the best designer belts without including Chanel? Jokes aside, there are quite a few iconic pieces from the French house, but none, in my opinion, are as relevant as Chanel’s chain belts. As nostalgia is at an all-time high, chain belts are coming back in full force, so there’s no better time to invest in this quintessential Chanel piece.

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5. Bottega Veneta Horsebit Belt

While the fashion set has gone into a frenzy over Bottega Veneta’s handbags over the past few seasons, the brand’s other leather goods are equally noteworthy. Picking one belt from Bottega Veneta is like having to choose a favorite child—it’s easy to love them all. But when in doubt, Veneta’s horsebit belt isn’t a bad call, as the leather straps allow you to adjust the fit easily, and the metal hardware will add a luxe touch to just about anything.

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6. Prada Triangle-Logo Leather Belt

Repeat after me: Miuccia Bianchi Prada can do no wrong. Season after season, the Italian designer manages to create the perfect pieces, and belts are not excluded from the chat. From Prada’s more trend-forward belts that feature pouches to the brand’s more minimal ones, the options are endless for this luxury house. And while you can’t go wrong with purchasing any Prada piece, if you have to choose one item to start with, go ahead and pick one with the brand’s iconic triangle logo. You’ll not only let everyone know you’re in the know, but you’ll also wear this classic belt forever.

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7. Khaite Benny Belt

Khaite could be considered a "newer" brand compared to other legacy designer labels. But make no mistake, they have the same status as any other luxury house. Founded by Catherine Holstein in 2016, the brand has caught the eye of the fashion crowd because of its cool ready-to-wear collections, which capture the energy of lower Manhattan through clean-cut tailoring. While the buzz surrounding Khaite was (and continues to be) about the apparel, the accessories have also cemented the brand's cult status. That's most apparent in the brand's viral Benny Belt, which has been spotted on some of the most stylish people in the industry. Its bold studded design and the continued buzz make it one of the coolest designer belts you can buy right now.

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8. Fendi Logo Belt

Fun fashion fact for you: Fendi’s iconic interlocking FF logo was created almost 40 years after the fashion house’s founding. It’s astonishing to think that the now-iconic logo that adorns every baguette and belt wasn’t created until Karl Lagerfeld joined the house in 1965. But the logo was brought to life to celebrate the Italian house’s innovations with fun fur at the time, and since then, it has cemented itself into the fashion lexicon. If you want to invest in a luxury piece that will stand the test of time, look no further than a belt with a Fendi logo—it won’t fail you.

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9. Saint Laurent Cassandre Belt

It's rare to sift through street-style imagery without spotting something from Saint Laurent—the luxury brand has become ubiquitous in that way. But it wasn't always that way; the namesake label began as a small atelier in Paris founded by Yves Saint Laurent in 1961. While most may know this brand for its buzz-worthy accessories, the truth is that there's more to this designer brand. Saint Laurent revolutionized the fashion industry by merging the bridge between menswear and womenswear. That was most evident in the brand's F/W 66 collection, which debuted the first-ever tuxedo designed for a woman, thereby challenging gender norms around dressing at the time. Without the late Saint Laurent's visionary work, the world would not be what it is today—nor would we have seen so many women embracing suiting. In short, there's no better place to shop for a designer belt than one of the houses that essentially made trousers such a big part of our lives.

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10. Alaïa Bustier Belt

Scour any list of It accessories of the moment, and you’ll likely find at least one Alaïa piece in the mix. Those viral mesh ballet flats and those heart-shaped clutches? Alaïa. Founded in 1964 by the late Azzedine Alaïa, this French luxury house has established itself as the brand embodying "rich and unbothered” energy with sultry ready-to-wear collections and bold leather goods that were meant to highlight the female figure. And the brand’s belts are no exception. If you’re weighing the options of what designer belt to buy to make your wardrobe feel more luxurious, then look no further than Alaïa.

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This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.