Category: Belt

The animals in my closet

9/3/2014

Animal prints are classic & seem to me to convey a little old Hollywood grace & glamour.

Here are the animals in my closet...

I began in 2010 by ordering just a zebra-print belt from Boden >>

I also bought a couple other leopard-print belts at Forever 21 for next to nothing & an animal-print microfiber purse from Amazon.

Boden still carries a similar belt:

Boden Waldour Waist Belt, $38

J. Crew dress, Boden belt

Last year, I found this leopard-print dress at Land's End for under $30. Very easy to wear.

Land's End dress, GAP maternity cardigan

Land's End Women's Petite Sleeveless Pattern Ponté Welt Pocket Dress, $29.99

My youngest son's very favorite item of mine is this leopard-print cardigan because it's so soft. I got at H&M for $5;
I noticed over the weekend they still carry them in store for $14.95.

F21 fake leather skirt, GAP top, H&M cardigan, Boden boots

Over the summer, I came across this animal-print skirt from Banana Republic that I managed to snag for the "kill price" of $9.50.

Photobombed by my son! :-)

J. Crew Factory crewneck sweater, Banana Republic skirt, Madewell necklace, Denver Museum of Nature & Science cuff, Piperlime sandals

Banana Republic Heritage Animal Print Jacquard Cargo Mini, $39.99. (I called the flagship store in S.F. to get the kill price!)

I'd always wanted animal-print shoes with mid-heels, & I finally got some from Sole Society.

Sole Society Isabelle pumps

Sole Society Isabelle, $69.95

These subtly-printed crops go with everything gray does & helped update my pant selection.

Anthropologie sweater, Boden crops

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $26.40

My latest acquisition is this leopard-print sweatshirt from H&M.

H&M sweatshirt, GAP shirt, Urban Outfitters jeans

H&M sweatshirt, $9.95

H&M Sweatshirt, $12.95

So what about you? Do you own many animal-print pieces? Did you buy them recently or in the past?

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A leopard-print vest I'm eyeing for fall...

Uniqlo Women's Ultra Light Down Printed Vest, $39.90

More animal prints...

& yet more animal prints...

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Colorful skinny belts

2/13/2014

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I know you don't want to, but let's talk about belts. Many of us gave up belts when our bellies got big or pregnant & never took them up again. And who wants to spend money on some little piece of leather or fabric, an accessory? But if we can find the right outfit that won't make us feel like an elephant, belts can add some spice when used as a contrasting color.

With pants & jeans...

Red & pink belts contrast nicely with navy

Banana Republic Heritage Velvet Skinny Ankle Zip Pant, $69.99; patent skinny belt, $34.50

Banana Republic Floral Ikat Print Skinny Ankle Jean, $89.50; patent skinny belt, $34.50

Banana Republic chinos & patent skinny belt in turquoise, $34.50

An otherwise bland outfit gets refreshed with a strip of bold spring color

Boden Skinny Ankle Skimmer Jeans, $23.40 to $46.80; yellow Skinny Belt, $19

Pink, gray, & yellow seems such a pretty combination to me.

Red, yellow, & off-white works well too.

Skinny Ankle Cord, $29.99; yellow belt

Anything goes with jeans...

GAP 1969 stripe-hem always skinny skimmer jeans, $48.96; Colorblock belt, $24.95

Garnet Hill Red Engine Cayenne Skinny Jeans, $59 - $124; pink belt

Land's End Long Sleeve Print Fine Gauge Supima Cardigan, $40-89; Perforated Diamond Belt $29

Land's End Women's Pin Straight Colored Jeans, $59; Perforated Diamond Belt in light meadow mist, $29

The bright belt becomes the centerpiece. Just add a basic white shirt.

With skirts...

Boden Italian Lace Jacquard Skirt, $82.80 to $110.40; Super Skinny shocking pink belt, $20.40

Belted over a pullover, the bright pink belt makes a playful statement when contrasted with dressy neutrals.
Do you like the look?

You don't have to have belt-loops to add a belt to your outfit.

Garnet Hill Lace Pencil Skirt in jade, $44; pink belt

Boden Zoe Top, $27.20; robin's egg blue belt

I have such a weakness for turquoise & burgundy.

With dresses...

Belting dresses can add life to dresses old & new.

Boden Laura Dress, $59.20 to $74.00; yellow skinny belt, $19

Garnet Hill Ponte Knit Dress, $29; Anna Leather Braided Belt, $54

I hear blue is the new neutral this spring.

Land's End Sleeveless Ponté Sheath Dress with Pockets, $69; Patent Leather Bow Belt, $29

One of my favorites of the belts pictured above--GAP's Colorblock belt:

GAP Colorblock belt, $24.95

I think colorful belts in the spring are the equivalent of colorful tights in the fall. Do you want to give them a try?

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Shortening & belting old dresses

Delayed gratification

You'll get used to it

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Trend alert: lasercut

5/22/2013

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Next to the lace, crochet, & eyelet, you'll find a new look that gives a peek at skin--lasercut.

See it on tops, dresses, shoes, & more.

Dr. Evil planned to use "lasers" to punch a hole in the "Ozone Layer"

H&M lasercut tunic, $29.95

I love the simplicity of this tunic!
It hasn't yet been released in our local H&M stores, but it appears in the H&M magazine and should be in soon.

Target Mossimo Supply Co. Laser Stud Leather Belt - Brown, $16.99

Urban Outfitters lasercut top, in store, comes in several colors

Anthropologie Baka Cut Slingbacks, $168

Anthropologie Baka Cut Slingbacks, $168 (online & in store)

Anthropologie Kerchief Cut Pouch, $39.95

ModCloth Stencil Artist Bag, $49.99

Macy's SR Squared by Sondra Roberts Handbag, Laser Cut Wristlet, $40.99

You may also like...

Eyelet lace

Glow-in-the-dark
tops & tees from H&M

Wear your heart on your sleeve:
Macbook sleeves make great teacher gifts

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My new best friend

1/17/2013

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Ah, the 90s. The era of long, flowing, shapeless dresses. Do you have any of these still hanging in your closet?

Some of you know I just moved this week. As I was packing and purging prior to the move, I came across several of these old dresses that I’ve had such a hard time parting with.

Inspired by a photo on the cover of a Crate and Barrel catalog, I thought perhaps this old dress could live again if I shortened it and belted it?

The Inspiration:
Crate and Barrel catalog cover photo, the dress on the left

Before

Totally outdated: White House dress from the 1990s

One more example of the belt helping to reinvent a '90s dress:

After

Anthropologie Scalloped Corset Belt

My new best friend:
the wide-waist belt

Before

A little tent-like: Peruvian Connection dress from the 1990s

You may also like...

After

My original post about
wide-waist belts

Tie the knot

Look for the silver lining and other tips for revitalizing the outfits in your wardrobe

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Truth or dare

11/17/2012

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The truth is I’ve never really managed to wear a wide waist belt.

I believe they look best cinched over a somewhat shapeless dress or with a skirt.

Anthropologie Brushwood Belt, $29.95

Garnet Hill Rivoli Wide Belt, $78

Here's a pretty amazing example of a wide waist belt over a simple dress from Garnet Hill (even though she's wearing it at her hips)

Another example of a wide waist belt with a dress appears on p. 210 of the printed issue of this month's InStyle Magazine. Some women have been wearing them effectively for years with all kinds of outfits--professional to night out.

I think it may be time to buy a wide waist belt because lovely leather ones are on sale right now at Anthropologie for $9.95 and up. I've been following them at Anthropologie, Free People, Garnet Hill for months, and I've never seen leather ones this low.

Do I dare buy one? Will I manage to wear it? My dream would be that a belt like this makes a few items in my closet work that have never worked before.... or...

Anthropologie Scalloped Corset Belt, $29.95

Anthropologie Pinpricked Perimeter Belt, $29.95

...knowing me: I may be forced to buy a dress or a skirt to go with my belt :-)

What about you? Do you own a wide waist belt? What have you styled it with?

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Seeing red

8/11/2012

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Small accessory. Big impact. Red is everywhere all the sudden--a touch of red heats up any outfit.

Sundance color line belt, $46

Sundance catalog outfit

GAP smooth leather belt in coral, $29.95, minus 30% with the code GAPFRIENDS

San Francisco Ballet’s Yuan Yuan Tan for GAP

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Bold, meet Understated

4/7/2012

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The trend says “Be bold.” But for those of us of quieter temperaments, how ‘bout just a bold accessory like a red belt perhaps?

J. Crew Factory patent tab skinny belt, $19.50

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Waste not, want not

3/18/2012

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What one thing you shouldn't skimp on?
Belts. Get leather or they wear out FAST. Leather belts look good even when they are worn out.
Free People has leather belts at good prices.

Free People hammered stud hip belt, $49.95, free shipping through Monday

Free People knit and leather waist wraps, $48, free shipping through Monday

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Loop-d-loop

2/4/2012

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Garnet Hill relaxed leather belt, $48

To tie your belt in this fun, casual style, buy the belt in a larger size than you need and then have a shoe repair shop add a hole for you (costs about $1); loop the excess. Try it on this low-cost studded leather belt below.

Jjill studded leather belt, $6.99

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The animals in my closet

Colorful skinny belts

Trend alert: lasercut

My new best friend

Truth or dare

Seeing red

Bold, meet Understated

Waste not, want not

Loop-d-loop

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