Styling

This Is Our Fashion Editor’s Secret to Leveling Up Jeans and a Tee

written by MADELINE GALASSI

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Over the past year or so, my mentality on getting dressed has done a 180. My outfits used to exclusively revolve around a trendy statement piece, and while I still love a ruffle-y top or silver pair of pants, I’ve found myself styling outfits entirely out of basics more than I ever have. Every time I get dressed, I have to talk myself out of throwing on a pair of baggy jeans, crewneck sweater, and sneakers and calling it a day. My brain alerts my “this is boring!” radar before the thought even fully filters through my brain, but as I’ve navigated my newfound love for basics, one piece has consistently made them feel, well, a whole lot less basic.

Statement jewelry and shoes get constant love and credit for being able to transform an outfit in one fell swoop, but a statement belt? They go largely unnoticed, and I’m on a mission to change that. I feel that people’s minds go to logo belts or classic ones, and disregard the entire range of non-basic, game-changing varieties that live somewhere in the middle. With the rise of the sold-out studded Khaite Benny Belt, that’s slowly but surely changing, but you also don’t need to spend $600 on a trendy belt—been there, done that, says the Gucci belt sitting in my closet—to get in on the transformative magic a belt can hold.

Think about it: You’re throwing on jeans and a T-shirt, and your favorite jewelry is already layered on. You tuck the tee in, add a belt, and boom—it goes from errand uniform to intentionally styled look. You heard it here first, folks: 2024 is the year of the belt.

B-Low the Belt
Wide Strap Belt

3 colors available

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Sézane
Rope Buckle Belt

7 colors available

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Zimmermann
Raffia Belt
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Lele Sadoughi
Pearl Studded Belt
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Isabel Marant
Mini Studded Leather Belt
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B-Low the Belt
Wrap Belt
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MANGO
Square Buckle Belt
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MANGO
Studded Leather Belt
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Madewell
Chunky Metal Leather Belt

2 colors available

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Joni Nappa
Studded Leather Belt

2 colors available

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Sézane
Crescent Buckle Belt

12 colors available

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Lane Bryant
Grommet Hip Belt

2 colors available

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B-Low the Belt
Moto Studded Belt
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B-Low the Belt
Eyelet Belt
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Anthropologie
Grommet Belt
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Madeline Galassi
MEET THE AUTHOR

Madeline Galassi, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor

Madeline has been covering fashion at The Everygirl since 2018. She edits all fashion content, writes in-depth trend reports, and curates the direction of the fashion and beauty sections. She’s worked with top brands like Nordstrom, & Other Stories, Sézane, and Everlane.