It all started with me watching fashion shows closely this season and taking screenshots of things I liked. After reading different fashion blogs for a while, I came up with the idea to recreate my favorite runway looks from my wardrobe. Oh, the naivety! I somehow imagined it would be easy – and I'm not sure why, considering the outfits are meticulously put together over months by some of the most talented people in the world. For some reason, I thought I would find all these items in my closet. Well, it didn't happen, but what I did find were some ideas.
One look that was living rent-free in my head is this stunning ensemble by Tod’s. The colors, the ease, and the utility belt (or belt bag) that pulls it all together just captured my imagination. I went to my closet to find similar items that I own – and all I had were ivory sweats, a blue shirt, and an old, worn-down burgundy crossbody bag.
(Note: I was debating not posting the Tod’s image as it is quite a big contrast with my home-made outfits. Nevertheless I think it is a good (and realistic) example of outfits in more mundane, real-life situations.)
Still, this look had potential. I realized that the waist bag was attractive because of its more irregular form and, more importantly, function. You could simply wear a belt in that case, but it would look a bit artificial and would cut the body in half. Meanwhile, a bag implies that it is a useful tool and not just there for fashion; it also introduces some asymmetry, which is both flattering and interesting. So, I went on a hunt for a belt bag to experiment with.
I bought a simple belt bag from Vinted for 6 EUR. It isn't as modern as I’d like and also a bit too small, but still a very good option for experimentation. Here are some looks I came up with.
The “Tod’s-inspired” look
I still only have the sweatpants and the shirt in similar colorways to the Tod’s outfit. Adding the belt bag is not the best option for me here – I believe the look is better without the bag. This mostly has to do with the shirt being less fluid and not as oversized as the one from Tod’s, and therefore, the option without the belt bag looks better in my opinion.
The oversized look
I combined two “big” pieces for this look: an oversized Melody shirt from The Frankie Shop and the lantern jersey skirt from Tibi. The skirt is quite voluminous and leans a bit boho, and I have been struggling somewhat with what to pair it with without resorting to a super tight top (which I prefer not to wear). If you look at the outfit from the front, it may still seem okay, but the side view reveals how extremely oversized it is, making it hard to balance, even with a slim shoe. It definitely has a vibe, but I'm not certain it's my vibe.
I quite like the look with the belt bag. It tames the super oversized vibe and adds some interest to the outfit. Again, the bag itself could probably be more modern, but it serves well as a placeholder to try out the look.
The oversized look v2
I’ve tried the belt bag with another skirt that is challenging to style due to its fullness - the liquid drape skirt from Tibi. I'm not fond of tucking in tops with these types of skirts, as they really require a very form-fitting top (at least for my body type). However, styling larger pieces on top can look very oversized too. I like the belt bag version of this look a lot; it makes the look more balanced and the skirt much more wearable.
The oversized pant look
I then tried the belt bag with pants, but the result was a bit off. The pants fall straight down, and the belt bag creates an expanded shape of the shirt, which distorts the flow of the look.
Low hanging bag outfit v1
I then remembered the belt bag I bought was a bit too small, and I could only fasten it at my natural waist, which is quite high. I modified it to wear lower on the hips to see if that helped. And it did! Now, the big pant look kind of works. At the same time, the top does not look as loose and you can pair two oversized pieces easily.
Low hanging bag outfit v2
I then tried it with slimmer outfits. Honestly, this outfit probably looks better without the belt bag, as it is sleeker and more minimal. But it also proves that a belt bag can even work with a slimmer outfit when positioned lower on the hips instead of at the natural waist.
So, what are the takeaways? Here are my conclusions:
A belt bag can add structure to oversized outfits and help contain their volume.
It offers both function ("I'm here for a reason") and an asymmetric shape, providing more interest than a simple belt.
I prefer a flat waist bag that hangs downward from the belt, rather than one that's vertically centered, as it integrates more seamlessly into the outfit.
Styling it at the high waist can be challenging; it's only worked for me with big tops and skirts.
The low-slung approach is more versatile for various outfits. Ensure the belt of the bag is long enough to wear both at the natural waist and lower on the hips.
What are your thoughts on belt bags? Do you incorporate them into your style? Share your experiences in the comments!