The skinny belt shortening trick
September 8th, 2008Skinny belts that are too long can still work if you use this shortening technique. It’s nifty and one I’m sure you’ve seen before.
Wrap the long, dangling end around the part of the belt that’s on your waist and pull it through to create “a knotted effect”. Pull the knot tightly and the belt stays put all day.
If the ends of the belt are too short to knot, but long enough to dangle, use double sided tape or Velcro adhesives to keep the belt end in place. Having belts professionally shortened by a cobbler is another route to go. But if you’re short on time like I was last week, knotting works just fine.
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September 8th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I love this look and actually prefer it to belts that fit without the knot when put over a top. I think the diagonal line of the end of the belt breaks up the horizontal line and is more slenderizing. It’s also a great way to use your husband’s belts
September 8th, 2008 at 7:18 am
What a great idea, I have actually not seen this before! I will certainly give this a try - I have a couple of skinny belts on my shopping list. So far I have been using double-sided tape to keep them in place, but this looks like fun!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I was just wondering how to do this after seeing it used on an episode of whowhatwear! I’m going to have to try it out. Thanks, Ang.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:11 am
perfect! I’ve been doing the double sided tape route but i’ll def. try this next!
September 8th, 2008 at 8:31 am
This looks so cute! Previously I have coped with this issue by just buying shorter belts but that limits their versatility. I will be sure to try this!
And WHERE can I find that zebra belt???? I must have it!!!!!!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Angie
Thanks for sharing this! I will try it soon!
Debbie
September 8th, 2008 at 9:15 am
That’s great tip, thanks Angie!
By the way, is that you in the pictures? Love to have a peek into your wardrobe! They are so inspiring!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Great idea! Ya know, I find that I love how the yellow and zebra belts look but not the black one and I can’t figure out why-maybe b/c it’s hangs slightly longer than the others? I’m with Pat- I love the zebra belt- where is it from?
September 8th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Very cute way of fastening a belt! I remember seeing this on store mannequins in the 1990’s, only they did it with regular (1″ or thicker) width belts. It looks much better & less bulky when done with the skinny belts that are fashionable now.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Great tip and thanks for the close up! Very helpful.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I agree with Real Style on the black belt. I think the length is strange and it hangs too low — but I love it with the other belts. I also want to know about the zebra belt. I have been on a belt-buying mission lately.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
What a great idea! I will definitely keep this in mind, since I sometimes find a great belt that would work well for a waist belt, but is just too long.
Angie, that’s you in the photos! I can tell from your watch, hee hee. I especially like your black and lime green swirly tunic top, very nice.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Love this idea! I just procured my first skinny belt and it is, indeed, too long. Now my problem is solved. Angie, is it possible that you’re a superhero?
September 8th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I’m still trying to get my head around the idea that a belt can be too *long*. My troubles are all in the other direction.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I’m thrilled to have inspired you!
Sal, I’ll take your reference to superhero any time of the day
Good point, Joy. There’s something more interesting about the look of the knot on a skinny belt.
Real Style, the black skinny belt is a little longer, but I feel it worked well on the long tunic it was cinching. It looks a little skew in the picture. I had it at more of an angle on Friday night. Which brings me to Julia and Ana, yes that’s me in the pictures. I’m impressed you noticed. I like Pucci prints, Ana. The green swirl reminds me of Pucci which is why I fancied it.
The zebra belt was purchased at Macys’ yonks ago for about $12 on super clearance. It’s my favourite skinny belt (it’s NOT real zebra). There are loads of look-a-likes around at the moment. I saw about 10 today whilst shopping with my client.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I love Pucci prints! I’ve been looking for a Pucci scarf or other smaller accessory, but haven’t had any luck. I’m not sure I’m confident enough to pull off something like a whole top or dress yet.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Ha Ana! You like Pucci too. You’ll work your way up to a Pucci-esque print dress or tunic just like I did
September 9th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Great post Angie, thanks! I haven’t tried belts yet, this post is inspiring me to try out a cardi/belt combo as the weather cools down. And I love Pucci swirls as well, I’ll invest in something Pucci one of these days
September 9th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
This is all very well but I remember when I had to wear belts in elementary school as part of a school uniform, belts would have a loop that moved around to “catch” the longish hanging tail…? I’ve been trying belts on in Nordstrom Rack and Off Fifth and belts no longer have this loop. Sometimes they have a loop that’s nailed down close to the buckle, which isn’t much use because you can’t move it around to catch wherever the tail end is.
September 13th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I used this trick on one of my co-workers that had a belt that was HUGE! It was annoying me so I fixed her right on up
She loved it! I think it’s a very cute alternative to pounding another hole in your belt with a screwdriver and hammer, LOL!
September 19th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Regarding the double-sided tape trick:
Does it leave tape residue behind?
What if you have to take the belt on and off a few times per day - is it a hassle with the tape? Will the tape lose it’s stickiness?
Thanks!
November 13th, 2008 at 8:47 am
[…] a change). Skinny belts are less bulky to wear under jackets and coats at this time of year, and easy to adjust if the length is too […]