Big Belts Are Out, and Micro Belts Are In—6 Looks That Prove It
Recently, I've noticed an influx of belts in fashion. In the fall/winter 2022 collections, belts made a major impact on the runways, and there was a wide range of styles in the mix. While we can expect to see many new belt silhouettes on the horizon for fall, there is one trend that is currently winning out: micro belts. The styles are very narrow, measuring around 10 to 13 centimeters. At about half the width of your average belt, they're considerably smaller than the bigger belts you're probably accustomed to pairing with jeans and trousers on the regular.
Brands such as Loewe, Savette, and Refine recently dropped them in their new collections, and fashion insiders have been quick to add them into their summer wardrobes, proving that the micro-belt trend has major legs. So what is the coolest way to style one? A popular outfit combination includes a white tank top, white jeans or trousers, and the micro belt—minimal, sleek, and primed for a clean-girl summer. But the outfit inspiration doesn't end there. Ahead, see six ways to wear the micro-belt trend, and prepare to see the accessory even more this summer.
Head-to-Toe Neutrals
If you ascribe to the minimal, neutral aesthetic that is trending right now, this is the look for you. Simply pair a white tank top and loose trousers with sleek leather flats, then secure a luggage-brown micro belt at the waist.
Paired With Jeans
If you're a jeans girl, swap out trousers for straight-leg denim. Then, add a ribbed tank top and a crisp white button-down top for the ultimate off-duty weekend look that strikes the perfect balance between casual and pulled-together.
Soft Tailoring
Soft tailoring is a trend that keeps getting reinvented each season. In this case, the look is grounded with a pair of relaxed pleated pants. Instead of adding a blazer, add a tank, ballet flats, and a belt to soften up suiting.
Loose Staples
Right now, upsized proportions are the coolest way to wear your staples. So instead of reaching for a formfitting tee and jeans, go for relaxed takes—as spotted in this outfit pairing. You'll look effortlessly elevated when slipping into pieces like these.
Polished
For an office-ready look, pair a striped shirt, a tweed jacket, tailored trousers, and heels with a micro belt. The outfit instantly reads as polished, chic, and professional.
Clean and Easy
For an elevated spin on a T-shirt look, just add white trousers and a micro belt at the waist. As we move into fall, I would also add a blazer or cardigan for some extra texture and layers.
Next up: Fashion People Told Me 15 Buzzy Accessories That Will Be Huge This Summer
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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