The Anti-Trend Accessory That Makes Every Outfit Look 10 Times More Expensive

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Courtesy of Fendi; Courtesy of Miu Miu; Courtesy of Stella McCartney; Courtesy of Sergio Hudson; Courtesy of Pat Bo; Courtesy of Versace

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware that there’s always something new in fashion, whether it's the return of nostalgic trends (hello, belts, and ballet flats) or a new designer to follow. Fashion is ever-evolving, which makes it exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. Keeping up takes time and energy, so we fashion editors aim to help give you back some of that precious time and discern which items are in it for the long haul. What makes something timeless but still current can be a fickle line to distinguish—a trend often has to have cultural relevance and popularity in collections and among the style set. But some still stand out among the crowd, including designer belts. 

Hear me out. Belts have been a forever thing. They’ve been cemented in our closets and pop culture. (After all, a whole scene in The Devil Wears Prada is about belts.) So you can’t fully say belts are a trend, but they are back and bigger than ever. The proof that designer belts are in the mix again lies in the spring/summer 2023 and fall/winter 2023 collections. From Chanel and Bally's chain belts to the more classic iterations at Saint Laurent and Luar, it’s clear that BBE (big belt energy) is the way to go this year. Not only do designer belts come in all different varieties, but you can also wear them with just about anything. They elevate any look, and they’re often the most affordable way to get your hands on a luxury brand. 

Basically, belts are it. So in that vein, I’ve rounded up the 10 best designer belts to shop right now, along with a few other affordable options at the end of the story. From the most popular luxury pieces to newer iterations worth investing in, these belts will be a part of your wardrobe for years to come.

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SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER

Nothing embodies BBE more than Loewe’s Obi Belt. When Loewe released this corset-inspired belt, it became a fan favorite among the fashion set. With iterations ranging from denim to leather, its versatility both in form and how you can style it makes it arguably one of the coolest designer belts to buy.

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SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER

When it comes to investing in luxury items, there’s no better place to start than with Dior, especially for designer belts. Dior’s Oblique jacquard print is arguably the most famous in fashion, so buying a belt in the iconic print is a sound investment. This print will outlive any trend cycle, and it will become an integral part of your wardrobe for years to come.

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Imaxtree/Gucci; Pictured: Gucci Fall/Winter 2023

Not to sound like a broken record, but one of the best things about designer belts is that they’re accessible to all, which isn’t always the case with luxury. No other belt has quite reached cult status like Gucci’s interlocking GGs belt. It’s become a must-have for the fashion set and beyond because of its simple design with a splash of luxury.

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Courtesy of Chanel; Pictured: Fall/Winter 2023 Collection

Is it even possible to round up the best designer belts without including Chanel? Jokes aside, there are quite a few iconic pieces from the French house, but none, in my opinion, are as relevant as Chanel’s chain belts. As nostalgia is at an all-time high, chain belts are coming back in full force, so there’s no better time to invest in this quintessential Chanel piece.

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@venswifestyle

While the fashion set has gone into a frenzy over Bottega Veneta’s handbags over the past few seasons, the brand’s other leather goods are equally noteworthy. Picking one belt from Bottega Veneta is like having to choose a favorite child—it’s easy to love them all. But when in doubt, Veneta’s horsebit belt isn’t a bad call, as the leather straps allow you to adjust the fit easily, and the metal hardware will add a luxe touch to just about anything.

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SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER

Repeat after me: Miuccia Bianchi Prada can do no wrong. Season after season, the Italian designer manages to create the perfect pieces, and belts are not excluded from the chat. From Prada’s more trend-forward belts that feature pouches to the brand’s more minimal ones, the options are endless for this luxury house. And while you can’t go wrong with purchasing any Prada piece, if you have to choose one item to start with, go ahead and pick one with the brand’s iconic triangle logo. You’ll not only let everyone know you’re in the know, but you’ll also wear this classic belt forever.

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Off-White via Imaxtree; Pictured: Fall/Winter 2022 collection

There was a time when editors couldn’t sift through street style imagery without spotting a piece from Off-White. Founded by Virgil Abloh in 2012, the label was the late designer’s first foray into the luxury space before landing his role as Louis Vuitton’s creative director in 2018. Abloh revolutionized the fashion industry by merging the bridge between athleisure and luxury. Without Abloh’s visionary work and accessories (think: his quirky bags that say “money inside” or the viral industrial belt), the industry would not be what it is today. So there’s no better designer belt to invest in than this one.

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Courtesy of Fendi; Pictured: Spring/Summer 2022 collection

Fun fashion fact for you: Fendi’s iconic interlocking FF logo was created almost 40 years after the fashion house’s founding. It’s astonishing to think that the now-iconic logo that adorns every baguette and belt wasn’t created until Karl Lagerfeld joined the house in 1965. But the logo was brought to life to celebrate the Italian house’s innovations with fun fur at the time, and since then, it has cemented itself into the fashion lexicon. If you want to invest in a luxury piece that will stand the test of time, look no further than a belt with a Fendi logo—it won’t fail you.

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SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER

Jacquemus could be considered on the new side, as Simon Porte founded the French brand in 2009. But this brand has arguably garnered the same status as any other luxury house because of its exploration of proportions and colors in its ready-to-wear and accessory collections. Most notably, the brand has caught the eyes of the fashion set because of the slew of stunning mini bags, but the French brand’s other accessories are equally as tantalizing. Case in point: the La Montagne La Ceinture Carrée Belt. It’s not only perfect for keeping your clothes in place, but for belt-bag lovers, this is also the best of both worlds.

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Courtesy of Versace; Pictured: Spring/Summer 2023

Scour any list of It accessories of the moment, and you’ll likely find at least one Versace piece in the mix. Those viral platform heels and those incredibly sultry safety-pin dresses? Versace. Founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace and now run by his sister, Donatella, this Italian luxury house has established itself as the brand embodying “rich and unbothered” energy with sultry, pattern-filled ready-to-wear collections and bold leather goods. And the brand’s belts are no exception. If you’re weighing the options of what designer belt to buy to make your wardrobe feel more luxurious, then look no further than Versace.