The belt: fashion meets utilitarian

A belt worn high on the waist lengthens legs. Photo: AFP Inset: Michelle Obama frequently sports wide, stylish belts. Photo: azcentral.com

Belts have been designers’ most frequently used accessories this winter. On Celine’s Autumn-Winter T-stage, a super-wide leather belt made many appearances, paired with coats and dresses. Vans’ newly released checked leather and fabric belts were also the highlights of this season’s fashion shows.

But belts are popular o‡ the catwalk as well. None other than Michelle Obama regularly accessorizes with a belt, and who can forget the classic stenciled, wide belt she wore with her yellow cardigan, deco vest, and polka-dot pencil skirt during her husband’s presidential campaign?   Hot

Most women hate the heavy, dull look of a hefty down jacket and the way it obscures one’s fi ner curves, so belted coats have been big this winter as they help modify the silhouette. For an A-line coat or dress, wearing the belt higher elongates the legs and plumps the bust. Solid black leather belts go with almost everything, and high-riding elastic black belts have proven to be a trend as well.

Beyond coats, a belt can be worn with a mediumlong shirt. Girls who worry they have a bit of a belly can adjust the appearance of their upper and lower body ratios by wearing a belt high around the waist. Alternately, low–ride narrow belts below the waistline (but above the butt) give long collared shirts a nice bohemian look. A narrow double circle belt with some simple decorations adds glam to casual pants.

Men can also wear belts to add pizzazz to their pants. Wide, brightly colored leather belts can compliment jeans in a refreshing, sexy way. A white belt on dark jeans is a particularly good combo for young guys, as it adds color variety and helps show body shape. As a general rule, a white or brown medium-wide studded belt can’t go wrong with denim for a cool, casual look.  Not

Although a belt can be both a fashionable and practical necessity, some caution is necessary. Super wide belts, for example, do not go with all jeans, and men should be cautious with overly bright colors paired with their Levi’s. A belt can even make a skinny guy look too skinny, which ain’t no good. Avoid wearing eyecatching belts if you’re not so tall, as it exposes the shortcomings of your body shape.

For low-waist fl are jeans, wide or complicated belts should be avoided; otherwise they visually widen your waistline. Asian women often don’t have long legs, so they should avoid wearing belts below the waistline the way tall women can. Finally, o  ce workers be warned, a wide belt can be uncomfortable for those working desk jobs. Worse still, they can give you a mu  n top, squeezing your fat up and over the belt (or alternately, down and out).

Sales listings

Grand Pacifi c Mall
Winter suits are up to 70% off, and member cardholders can enjoy additional discounts.
Date: Until January 13
Address: No. 133 Xidan Beidajie,
Xicheng District 西单北大街133号
Tel: 6612-6888

Beijing Junefield
Department Store
Receive up to 50% o. of commodities. Member cardholders receive a 100-yuan holiday voucher for spending over 1,000 yuan per day. From January 22 to 24, for every 500 yuan spent in the gentlemen’s section on the second, third and fourth fl oors, receive a 260-yuan deduction. Special products are excluded.
Date: January 8 to 10, 15 to 17 and 22 to 24
Address: No. 8 Xuanwaidajie, Xuanwu District
宣武区宣外大街8号
Tel: 6310-3388

Beijing New World Liying
Department Store
Sales of up to 60% o. ; VIP cardholders can enjoy an additional 10% discount on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as special New Year gifts. Spend 200 yuan on cosmetics for a 40-yuan deduction.
Date: Until January 11
Address: No. 1 and 2 Buildings,
No. 16 Wangjing Guangshun Nan Da Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区望京广顺南大街16号院
Tel: 8476-4687

Shin Kong Place
Winter sales of up to 30% off. Gifts of di. erent values are offered for total purchases over 1,000 yuan, 3,000 yuan, 5,000 yuan, 10,000 yuan, and 50,000 yuan per day.
Date: Until January 14
Address: No. 87 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国路87号
Tel: 6530-5888
 
New Yansha Mall
Silk on the fourth fl oor is 20% to 50% o. . Jack Jones mens’ wear is up to 50% off. Sketchers is offering clothing discounts up to 75% off. Spend over 500 yuan to receive a free coffee mug.
Date: Until January 31
Address: No. 1 Yuanda Road, Haidian
District 海淀区远大路1号
Tel: 8887-4611
 
Ikea
All bedding sets are 20% off. Selected mattresses are 50% off.
Date: Until January 17
Address: No. 59 Futongdongdajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区阜通东大街59号
Tel: 5291-4738