Succumbing to trends November 11, 2007
Posted by charmingbutsingle in Fashionable Ranting, Friends, NaBloPoMo, Shopping.trackback
For months and months I have marveled at many trends in fashion – ridiculously large flowing dresses that overwhelm the frames of tiny women leaving them looking pregnant and spandex leggings that hit legs at mid-calf, reminiscent of my childhood and flattering no one, for starters.
One trend I’ve often chuckled at is that of the needless belt, where the wearer takes something that does not require help to stay up, like a sweater or a dress, and belts it anyway, as if to say, “It is physically impossible for this shirt to accidentally fall off, but stranger things have happened.”
And I’ve been ignoring this trend of Needless Belting all of this time because it seemed so, well, fussy. And while I am fussy about many things, I try to avoid piling on fussy accessories each day – you won’t catch me wearing big earrings to the office or an armful of bangle bracelets anywhere.
But then I got this sweater. And the description won’t do it justice and I don’t have a picture, but it is an open sweater jacket with a cowl-type neckline. Sounds awful, but it is actually adorable over a little camisole. It is a deep rose color and it looks great with my skin, but when I wear it I feel as if I’m stealing a page from Rue McClanahan’s “Golden Girls” wardrobe book. And even though I know the sweater is cute and it is extremely comfortable and it gets a lot compliments, the two times I’ve worn it, I found myself constantly adjusting it to keep it close to closed or at least evenly spaced across my chest.
Some of the more fashionable women at work suggested a belt would keep it closed and cinch my waist in a little. And I just smiled and nodded, thinking, “I can promise you will never find me belting something that doesn’t require a belt. Ever.”
But wouldn’t you know that I spied a slim-ish belt with a nice buckle on it when I was shopping Saturday and I thought I’d slip it on to see how silly it looked on me. And before I knew what was happening, I bought the belt and, well, when I tried it on with the sweater later at home, it looked cute. Really cute.
And before I knew what was happening, I was trying on different sweaters with the belt and, um, I’m 90 percent converted. I’m saving that last 10 percent for when I actually venture out of the house in said Needlessly Belted Ensemble.
My girlfriends have warned me that The Belting Of That Which Shall Not Be Belted confuses many men, which does confirm what I’ve heard and suspected, that men are put off by overly fashionable outfits because they worry that women who wear such clothes will be high maintenance. My friends report a myriad of annoying questions from guys about “Why you’re wearing that belt for no reason.”
I’m planning on saying, “Because it is fabulous.”
I’m glad you succumbed, because seriously — belts break up the line on a not-so-perfect body like most of us have, and also add a really fun aspect to colour/accessory matching! I love my belt collection. I don’t really wear jewellery so belts are essential
This made me roll with laughter. There are so many trends I snubbed my nose at at first and then loved them later. Pointy shoes? check. Leggings? check. Big hoops (the second time around). check. Will it never end? Before you know it I’ll be wearing a garbage bag as a poncho if everyone says it’s cool.
Do people really wear belts out of NEED anymore? =P Seriously, none of my pants are ever in danger of falling down without a belt, but sometimes you just wear it b/c it makes the outfit look better. (ok, sometimes I’d use a belt to keep the back end of my low-rise jeans from slipping down as far and revealing my thong, but still). Keeping a sweater closed seems like just as good a use for a belt as keeping my backside covered. ; )
But, hey — technically the belt isn’t actually there JUST for looks! You said yourself that you were having trouble keeping the sweater closed and it was annoying you. So the belt IS serving a purpose.
I’m one of those men. Unless the sweater comes with belt loops and you’re wearing it in place of pants, I just don’t get it. The issue for me probably results from my overwhelming lack of that second X chromosome. Coffee is fabulous. Comfortable shoes are fabulous (fabuli?). Horrible zombie flicks and kung fu movies are fabulous. Belting a sweater, however, is not fabulous. Especially if said belt is 10-inches wide and reminds one of Blair from The Facts of Life. You’re walking a tightrope over the yawning chasm of 80s fashion, Charming. That could potentially lead to leg-warmers, which will only end in tears and woe.
For sweaters that do not close on their own, I would argue that a belt is a necessary item!
I’m of the school of thought that if you wore it the first time around, you’re too old to do it this go-around. However, I succumbed to wearing a leggings outfit. It’s hard to fight the power sometimes…
You can call me, ‘Sir’ — Just to clarify, the belt is VERY thin. I kind of hate those belts that are four inches wide because they seem like they would be INSANELY uncomfortable and because they tend to get wedged up under the wearer’s boobs and that’s not a flattering look for anyone.
I get a kick out of this trend too- some of those belts look like they come from the WWF!
As for men being put off by fashionable women, I think you’re right on the money there. I have a theory that this is secretly why all men seem to find Sarah Jessica Parker disgusting (when even if they didn’t think she was hot, she can’t be anything less than super skinny and completely normal looking). I think they must be incredibly intimidated by what she/ Carrie represents.
Oh dear. On this very day I am indeed wearing a sweater dress…. over leggings…with a belt.
I swore I would never succumb to these trends, but I have. Just like I ended up wearing the Uggs a couple of years ago, followed by the gouchos two years ago.
I will never, ever understand the maternity wardrobe though. I refuse to look pregnant until I actually am.
this post made me laugh out loud. you nailed it. i have not yet given in to the whole unnecessary belt trend. i’m hoping it passes before i have to succumb. i totally agree about how guys perceive such trends. they totally do not get any of it - point shoes, leggings, uggs, etc. anyway, i also agree that guys think the wearers of these looks are high maintenance.
What a great post! I was converted when I realized that a belt belted at the right spot? Makes waist look tiny and legs look longer. And yes, I am totally going to say “Because its fabulous’ if I ever get asked the same question!
I too, am a belt and leggings wearer. Every guy I know and have dated think that they are awful, but I feel trendy and fabulous every time I wear them!! Beware though, once you get started, it is hard to stop! I have about 6 shirts/dresses that I wear with leggings now. And like someone mentioned above, the belts make your waist look smaller and your bustline larger, which in my case is a plus!
I have tagged you, check out my blog for details!!
you’re tagged.
Charming- I’ve missed you…and been reading, thanks for joining this post a day, November. The only thing I have to say is I disagree…you wrote: My girlfriends have warned me that The Belting Of That Which Shall Not Be Belted confuses many men, which does confirm what I’ve heard and suspected, that men are put off by overly fashionable outfits because they worry that women who wear such clothes will be high maintenance.- This in my opinion is NOT true…with that closed minded thinking of what men think is sterotyping…I for one Love it When a women is dressed to the styles…it makes me think she is trying, And thus trying to get My attenion- (or any man’s) to me it says she cares about what she looks like. That’s nice. Please don’t believe that, What Men Think stuff. Wear what you want (the trends, or anything) and that will, in turn, make you attractive, sexy, appealing…ect. It’s great to have you back.
Belting some things looks good.
Then there are girls who wear skin tight tops and throw a belt on over. Um why?!
Belting works sometimes, but lots of people do it wrong. It sounds like you did it nicely though!
Hahaha, love this post! It reminds me of my own battle against leggings! (to which, by the way, I am still glad I succumbed–so comfy!!)
I too struggled with That Which Must Not Be Belted… but sometimes those big comfy sweaters make you (or at least me) look like a pear if you don’t cinch that waist in.
Hmmm… now that I think about it, I bought a cheap pair of big earrings for a costume once, and now every now and then I feel compelled to wear them.
It seems fashion is akin to a slowly manifesting disease… it gets us all in the end
Soon you’ll be dawning the jelly shoes and leg warmers. It’s a slippery slope. . .
“It’s fabulous.”
Always a good answer when someone asks you why you want to do something!
PS - You’re on my blogroll. As a fellow girl from the South, I felt compelled to read your blog. I’m enjoying it, but I think your title should be “Charming AND Single” instead of “Charming, BUT Single.” Because it’s not a bad thing! True, it’s not always fun - but neither is marriage/being in a relationship!
I am both guilty and in love with the Needless Belting trend. I have never had a guy ask me why I was wearing a belt, that fact kind of surprised me. Glad you are succumbing and enjoying
So this is sort of sad but I read the WHOLE Wikipedia entry on The Golden Girls you linked to and was utterly fascinated. Seriously.
no, your reply should be: “why, all the better to whip you with, my dear!”
tee hee.
no, your reply should be: “Why, all the better to whip you with, my dear!”
tee hee.
no, your reply should be: “why, all the better to whip you with, my dear!”
tee hee!