We love belts. When it comes to our outfits they are like icing on the cake, adding a finishing touch that can change the attitude of your outfit in a single swipe. They are also simple outfit adjusters, accentuating the positive or disguising the negative as needed. “Form Follows Function” governs my life (and my wardrobe). I think the things in our daily life should perform a task (in this case, keeping your pants up on the most simple level) and it’s an added joy if they are beautiful while performing that task. We have some beautiful belt brands that do these things.
True to form, less is more with everything from Evam Eva. The brand prides itself on understatement and subtlety. They have one belt style, available in 2 widths and 4 colors. It is a beautiful (yet simple) strip of supple leather with only 2 brass notches. The minimal hardware boosts its versatility and we have found over the years that it works beautifully looped into a pair of jeans or trousers as much as it over a dress or skirt.
Like Evam Eva, Herbert’s belts have been a part of our mix since our beginning. We love everything about this family owned brand and its small production. They are straightforward but made with a ton of style. We have everything from simple and exceedingly versatile styles like the Vice Versa (a reversible belt - how great is that?) to statement styles like the Grand Madjo. Overall, this brand is a value, with most belts hovering around the $150 price point - for great, lasting quality.
Relatively new to our world, Déhanche is a growing name in the belt scene. Known for a minimalist approach with an artful touch, the leathers are incredible - all smooth with a soft lining on the inside. The hardware is so beautiful, all cast and unique to Déhanche. You may see copycats of their signature Hollyhock out there - never executed with the same finesse. The mix metals in their buckles and hardware, a dream for me in the versatility this adds to our wardrobes. The hardware is incredible, distinctive always and ranging from subtle for everyday to elegant statements. Made in Italy, these are beautifully crafted. Compared to other belts on the market these days, Déhanche is a value compared to its peers in elegance and quality.
Cordero has been making her unique leather goods for the last 25 years and the look cannot be replicated. She uses gorgeous leathers that age beautiful with wear and time and she applies distinctive metal artwork to her shoes, bags and belts. Cordero’s belts are a stronger statement, but also a natural choice when wearing a simple, capsule wardrobe. These pieces are very capable of shifting your look in an interesting, assertive and artful way.
Ada Belts
An Ada Wrap belt should be in every woman’s wardrobe, and if you’re lucky perhaps have a color or two. These signature wrap belts are made with a soft leather and are an effortless choice to throw over any garment that needs some waist accentuation. We love them over dresses in particular, but also look awesome over a boxy sweater or top or over a blazer. The possibilities are endless, each tag provides a QR code with 30 ways to tie your belt, and they are truly exceptional at transforming your look. We typically don’t sell them online but stock them in various neutral shades at all times.
Now, here’s a top 10 list of my favorite belts in the shop right nowwith a few points for each on why:
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Herbert Frere Soeur Le Grande Madjo in Serpent
Western is big this year and the belt buckle is an easy way to play with this trend. We’ve had this belt in various colors for the past few seasons - I’ve always missed out on snagging one for myself. I made a point of ordering an extra for myself and it was worth the wait. The stamped leather is a faux snakeskin in a black & brown color way that is versatile to the max.
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Déhanche Mija in Mixed Metal
A sleek and unobtrusive belt with an elongated, d-shaped ring that is distinctive, this belt earns points for the versatility that goes along with its mixed metal buckle. If you’re going to buy one belt this year this is high on my list of recommendations.
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Herbert Frere Soeur Vice Versa, various colors
A straight forward belt with an unobtrusive buckle - it’s reversible and it comes in various colors. Coming in at under $150, we think this oozes value.
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Calleen Cordero’s Ige Belt
A major moment of appreciation for this beauty. Gorgeous metal artwork in nickel & brass (mixed metals for the win, once gain) in a beautiful brown leather that meets our “color of the season” standards. Very special.
- Ada Wrap Belt in Chocolate (in-store only for now)
Just reiterating that every woman should have one of these belts in her closet - and I’m choosing brown here because it pairs back to the gorgeous Pedro Garcia Xantia boots that I am wearing with an Apiece Apart Sweater Dress right now.
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Déhanche Travertine Belt
Don’t mind me when I speak lovingly about this belt. You’ll hear me talk about how she’s the prettiest belt I’ve ever seen. The buckle is inlaid with onyx . It is so striking. The thin belt lends a dressier look and the metal trim on the edges of the onyx is delicate and distinctive. This one is more of an indulgence.
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Evam Eva MFOSB -
MFOSB = "Margot’s Favorite One Size Belt” and this would be another style that I’d recommend if you only want one new belt this year. I have 2 of these in different colors, they only become more beautiful and are built to last. You have 3 colors to choose from at T&O right now
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Déhanche Colette
Another Western-inspired buckle, this one is minimalist and sculptural and just beautiful. I went ahead and ordered extra for myself in the black and the brown and have already pressed this into service a few times.
- Calleen Cordero Nita + Nico
I like to mention these belts together. I love this thin belt from Calleen Cordero and I think it’s a strong choice to wear over a dress. Given the metal work on it, one can’t put additional holes in it (I add extra holes to a lot of my belts just to give me more places to wear the) but the thinness makes it so I can tie or loop them through the buckle easily. I also buckle them together to make a double decker belt that is very cool looking and also a striking choice over dresses and blazers.
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Déhanche Hollyhock mixed metal
I’ll take a Hollyhock in a solid metal color or a mixed metal (again, versatility points for the mixed metal). Déhanche popularized this multi-loop look and I think it’s still a power statement belt without being too in your face.
It's hard to pick favorites when we're surrounded by lovely things, but we're attempting to narrow things down based on versatility and proven track records. Your needs are unique to you - and we have a ton to offer - so check out most of our belt collection here and stop by - we'll help you find the right style for you.
