Autumn/Winter 2008-09 belt tendencies

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As we always say, accessories matter and they complete the look. Well balanced details make any look exclusive and original.

Belts are one of the main accessories when you want to add a touch of new color to your one-color outfit or if you’ve shed weight and your wonderful new vintage dress seems too large for you. Generally belts are good for almost any attire you’re wearing.

There’s a wide range of belts to choose from these days. Any color, any form, any texture – wide belts, waist belts, narrow belts, fancy leather belts, bright patent leather belts, embroidered belts – they can help you stress you beautiful shape or hide your problematic areas.

Designers pick these main belt tendencies for this fall and winter 2008-2009.

Folk and Fringes

Folk art has greatly influenced this season’s accessories. Fringes become one of the leading tendencies. Designers took their inspiration in national costumes embedding original ornaments, colors and patterns into this season’s must-have accessory – belts.

One of the most original folk style belts is probably the one in the form of a rope ending in cute fringes, like that presented by Hermes.

Double it!

$Dell\'est Patent High Shine Double Buckle Waisted Leather Belt$

This trend has been originally presented in men’s collections but soon stepped onto women’s collection catwalks. The trend originates from summer tendency for dual nature and layering that was presented in everything from dresses to accessories.

This fall and winter the number of belts is crucial. Designers stick to use two or three belts – they may be of the same texture and style but can at the same time be totally different and visibly incompatible. But don’t let it lead you astray.

A rhinestone-buckled cincher makes an eclectic match with a earthtoned leather style for one truly unique accessory.

Designers like Peter Som put absolutely different styles together making it something brand new and exclusive. Trussardi sees the dual nature in another way. Due to having a longer belt one can wrap it round the waist and thus create the layer effect. Ferragamo presents triple design of the belt combining different metallic shades of hue.

Thin waist

Femininity and retro style are hugely popular this season meaning that wasp waist is one of the main attractions this autumn and winter. We’re thinking corset belts and wrestler’s belts. So one of the things to be amazed at this fall is how thin your waist can look in these belts.

You can wear these designs over voluminous attire and even outerwear. There is one thing you mustn’t forget – it must be comfortable to breathe, so don’t try too hard to tighten the belt.

Belts with copper decoration remind us of traditional wrestler’s belts, like that seen in Stella McCartney’s collection that’s also decorated with wood and actually looks like made of wood.

Corset belts have been popular since last fall but they’re still top fashion with lots of catwalk shows presenting this style for autumn and winter 2008/09. This time, corset belts have a wider range of materials to be made of. Denim belts, for example, look great with funky teen style.

Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier decorate their corsets with Swarovski crystals and faceted stones. Another popular tendency is wearing a corset belt with a narrow belt above it. Such designs were presented at Vivienne Westwood and Max Azria fall/winter 2008/09 catwalk shows.