When it comes to spotting the styling tricks that really matter, I tend to look less to the runways and more to the celebrities whose outfits consistently resonate. And funnily enough, two of my biggest style muses happen to share the same first name: Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lawrence. Whether by coincidence or fate, both Jennifers consistently achieve the kind of effortless looks that shape the way I get dressed.
My own style leans minimal with a ’90s undercurrent, so it’s no surprise that Aniston’s Friends-era wardrobe often informs my day-to-day outfits. But when I want to push that aesthetic into 2025, Lawrence is the Jennifer I turn to. So when I spotted a recent look from her that instantly reminded me of vintage Aniston, I knew I’d found a styling trick worth noting.
This week, Lawrence was photographed in relaxed, low-rise jeans sitting casually on her hips, finished with a sleek black leather belt. It’s not a groundbreaking move, but it did feel striking—largely because belts have quietly disappeared from denim outfits in recent decades. While fashion insiders have been pairing jeans with bare waistbands, Aniston was once devoted to the belt, wearing it as her signature finishing touch throughout the ’90s.
A clean leather belt adds polish, structure and a sense of intention to even the most pared-back jeans-and-tee look. It’s a subtle styling tweak that instantly lifts an outfit, and it's also something I spotted over and over again among the street style set at New York Fashion Week this September.
Best of all, this is a trend that costs nothing extra. Most of us already own a belt or two, and looping one through your jeans delivers a Jennifer-approved outfit formula that’s stood the test of time. Pair it with your favourite tee or crisp shirt, and you’ve got a look that works as well in 2025 as it did in the ’90s.
If you’re in need of a refresh, keep scrolling for my edit of the best jeans and belts to re-create the look.
Shop Belts and Jeans:
The suede finish gives this such an expensive-looking energy.
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This Is the NYC Way to Wear the Anti-Trend Jeans Color French Women Are Obsessed WithAs seen on NYC It girl Irina Shayk.
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Yes, Ballet Flats Look Good With Skirts, But They Look Even Better As Part of This Parisian-Approved ComboVery '90s.
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Step Away From the Leggings—This Is the Low-Key Pant Trend You'll See Everywhere This FallJennifer Lawrence knows best.
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Fine, I Won’t Gatekeep—These 27 Abercrombie Finds Are Too Chic to Miss (and They're All On Sale)I can't decide which fall pick is my favorite.
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I’m a Senior Shopping Editor—These 29 On-Sale Nordstrom Basics Are Instant Closet StaplesBring on chic, effortless fall outfits.
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Jeans Plus These Two Anti-Basic Colors Is the Recipe for Cooler Outfits This FallIt isn't white or black.
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The Trick NYC Fashion People Are Using to Make "Boring" Jeans-and-Tee Outfits Look Chic This FallJennifer Lawrence was spotted wearing it, proving just how well this styling hack works.
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Don't Wear Bootcut Jeans Without Seeing How Reese Witherspoon Just Styled Them in NYCClassic dressers, take note.
