Why Are Celebs Wearing Two Belts at Once?
It's one of Bella Hadid's most memorable street-style outfits: Two summers ago, while strolling around Tribeca, the supermodel wore two belts simultaneously. One silver-buckled black belt was secured in the pant loops of her gray-washed jeans, while the other contrasting gold belt (which served no practical purposes) was cinched loosely below. It was then that the double-belt trend was born.
Since the model's two-belt moment in June 2022, which she recreated later that fall, fashion folks have widely regarded the styling as a unique Hadid aesthetic—and one that follows her penchant for unrealistic fashion trends. Before celebrities left their houses without pants and wore UGG boots in earnest, Hadid was styling white micro-briefs with shearling-lined slippers to grab a New York slice.
Like the others, the creative, quirky micro-trend of wearing two belts (just because) has blossomed into a styling trick for real people, not just mega-watt street-style stars. Fashion over function, yes, but frivolous maximal accessories are in.
Then, like a siren call, Fall 2024 Fashion Month, became a season filled with two-belt stylings that all fell within the realm of real-world possibilities. At New York Fashion Week, Michael Kors sent out maxi skirts and trousers with two belts even built into the waist. In Peter Do's second collection as creative director for Helmut Lang, the Vietnamese designer slung a crisscrossing double belt low on the waist of a workwear jumpsuit— a piece that, by design, needs no belt at all.
Across the Atlantic in London, JW Anderson's Fall 2024 included turtleneck tops encircled by wide khaki-colored belts. In Paris, Junya Watanabe showcased an admittedly more avant-garde interpretation: The Japanese designer ensnared his models' waists with multiple black leather belts styled alongside black turtlenecks and front-pleat trousers. Upon closer inspection, the look might isn't as farfetched as it first seemed.
It's gathering speed off the runways, too; Layered waist chains and stacks of leather belts cinched over hips have become common sights in spring 2024 street style. And when you factor in the other celebrity co-signers—earlier this year, Camila Mendes and Lucy Hale wore The Frankie Shop's pleated skirts with two built-in belts—it's indisputable: It's only a matter of time before the double-belt trend hits the mainstream as a 2024 trend.
What was once considered a Hadid-only styling hack has now, against all odds, become a styling tip with burgeoning mass appeal. Ahead, a round-up of multi-belt outfits that are likely a step or two outside your comfort zone but offer inspiration just the same. But if you are inclined to double the fun of your accessories, you'll also discover a Marie Claire-approved edit of belts and built-in-belted pieces to shop.
Double-Belt Outfits to Shop Now
The Frankie Shop Blake Mini Pleated Skirt
Gap 100% Linen Big Shirt
Lioness Olsen Coat
Tony Bianco Fantasy Heeled Boot
The Frankie Shop Gisele Pleated Midi Skirt
Hommegirls Cropped Cotton Shirt
Staud Black Moon Bag
The Justine Ankle Boot in Leather
Alaïa Belted Straight Wool Pants
Theory Casual One-Button Blazer
Aire Gafas De Sol Dualism
Nanushka Black Jen Vegan Leather Pouch
Etro Leather-Trimmed Raffia Waist Belt
Anine Bing Quinn Wool Blazer
COS The High-Slit Maxi Pencil Skirt
Christian Louboutin Apostropha Pointed Toe Slingback Pump
Déhanche Hollyhock Belt
Gabriela Hearst Neala Reversible Leather Belt
Reformation Nicolette Top
Levi's Ankle Column Skirt
Saint Laurent Cassandre Belt in Grained Lambskin
Streets Ahead Larkin Belt
Pleated Asymmetric Hem Midi Skirt
Dunst Black Spread Collar Leather Jacket
Bottega Veneta Knot Leather Belt
Jordana Mini Western Leather Belt
Rosetta Getty Acid-Washed Rigid High-Rise Wide Flared-Leg Jeans
Alex Mill Crosby Cotton Button-Up Shirt
Valentino Garavani Vlogo Signature Chain Belt
B-Low The Belt Cora Chain Belt
Favorite Daughter Exclusive Phoebe Twill Cropped Flared-Leg Pants
Victoria Beckham Wool-Blend Twill Blazer
Wide Buckle Belt
Khaite Lucca Leather Belt
Lou Lou Studios Idai Cotton and Linen-Blend Twill Wide-Leg Pants
French Connection Alania Blazer
Banana Republic Flora Leather Belt
Frame Twist Buckle Studded Belt
Tove Lita Crepe Column Midi Skirt
Nili Lotan Mael Oversized Button-Front Shirt
Rag & Bone Baby Spire Hip Belt
Metal Fastening Leather Belt - Women
Theory Cotton-Blend Miniskirt
Mother The Rootin Tootin Stretch-Denim Jacket
