Belts, Sunglasses and Accessories That Finish a Look

The simplest way to build a polished outfit is to pick one accessory to lead and let the others support it. A plain leather belt and classic sunglasses go with almost everything. A bold pair of frames or a sparkly belt should be the one loud thing in the look.

Below: what kind of belt goes with everything, how to pair statement belts and oversized sunglasses, and how to choose frames that also protect your eyes and skin.

Section 01

What kind of belt goes with everything?

A smooth leather belt in black or dark brown, about 1 to 1.25 inches wide, with a plain metal buckle. It works through jeans, trousers and skirts, and it reads as neutral because nothing on it competes with the outfit.

Match the buckle metal to your other hardware (watch, earrings, bag clasp) when you can. Leather belts for men and women follow the same logic: a matte finish looks casual, a smooth polished one looks dressier.

Quick check on fit: you should be able to close the belt on the middle holes, so you have room to move either way.

Section 02

Are belts still in style?

Yes. A belt does a job a trend cannot take away: it defines the waist and breaks up a long column of one color. Slim belts and wide belts both circulate, so choose by proportion rather than by what is current.

• Wide belts suit dresses, long cardigans and coats, where they create a waist.
• Slim belts suit trousers and belt loops, where they add a thin line of contrast.

Section 03

How to wear statement belts and oversized sunglasses

Both pieces draw the eye, so keep the rest quiet. A wide belt over a plain dress, with large sunglasses, can look sharp. Add a loud print and a loud buckle on top and the eye has nowhere to rest.

Through the lens of evidence-based design, I'd treat the face and the waist as two focal points: the eye reads whichever is brightest or highest in contrast first. If the sunglasses are the star, choose a belt in a tone close to your trousers or dress. If the belt is the star, pick frames in a calm black, tortoiseshell or clear tone.

Oversized sunglasses styles to know

• Square and rectangular oversized frames add structure, and they balance a rounder face.
• Cat-eye frames lift the outer corner and add a retro, dressy edge.
• Round oversized frames soften an angular jaw.
• Aviators are the easy one: they sit well with a leather jacket or a sundress.

For more on frames that anchor an outfit, see statement sunglasses.

Section 04

Rhinestone, stretch and mirror styles

A rhinestone stretch belt is a good option over a dress or a soft knit, because the elastic gives with your body and the sparkle catches light at the waist. Keep it to one shiny piece: the belt is your jewelry, so skip a heavy necklace.

Mirrored lenses work the same way. They reflect light, so they read as bold even in a simple frame. Pair them with matte fabrics like cotton, wool or denim so the shine has contrast. If you want more ideas for other pieces, try bold statement earrings or statement cuffs, but choose one.

Section 05

Choosing glasses and sunglasses for your face

A useful rule is contrast: angular frames soften a round face, and rounder frames soften a strong jaw. Frame width should be close to the width of your face, not far past your cheekbones, and the brows should show just above the top edge.

Color follows the same logic. Brights make frames the focal point, tortoiseshell blends with warm browns, and transparent frames add shape without much weight. Acetate gives color and depth, thin metal gives a lighter look.

Section 06

Sunglasses are also sun protection

Large frames cover more skin around the eyes, which is a practical bonus of the oversized look. Check the label for UV protection, since tint alone does not tell you what the lenses block. If you have questions about eye or skin health, ask your doctor.

Clouds and windows do not stop all UV. As dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, told the Skin Cancer Foundation: "You are getting hit, though, with ultraviolet A rays (also called UVA), which are longer wavelengths that penetrate through windows and clouds year-round. Those are the ones that contribute to tanning, hyperpigmentation, skin aging and also to skin cancer."

That makes everyday sunglasses worth wearing on gray days too.

Section 07

Three easy outfit formulas

1. Jeans, white tee, black leather belt, aviators. Everything neutral, nothing to fix.
2. Slip dress or knit dress, wide belt, oversized square frames in black. Waist and face are both defined, with plain fabric around them.
3. Black trousers, silk top, rhinestone stretch belt, tortoiseshell cat-eye frames. The sparkle is the evening note, and the frames stay warm and soft.

For a bolder wardrobe built around color, this capsule wardrobe gives a base to work from.

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Filed under Accessory Trends