Hi Imogen,
I am 5’0 and 120lb with a figure of eight shape. I am very short waisted (my waist is the smallest about 1.5 inches from the bottom of my bust). So I’ve been wearing shirts untucked with a belt as I have a little bit of a belly. The only thing is, it is hard to keep the belt in place as it keeps riding up in the back making me constantly fuss with my shirt and sweater and adjust the belt all day long. I don’t want to cinch it too tight because then my clothes and belly make for a messy presentation. Is there anyway for a a figure of eight with a small belly to wear a belt and still look chic and not look so frumpy? Also, is it better to wear belts over my cardigans or just put the cardigan over my belted look?
Thank you sooo much!
Susan from Vancouver, BC
Susan, I’m a little unsure if you’re using a thin or wide belt. I’m thinking that a thin belt would be easier for your to use than a wide one, as it won’t take up as much space, particularly as you’re petite as well. You could try attaching a small amount of double-sided tape to the inside of the belt so that when you put it on it sticks to your shirt and so doesn’t ride up so easily.
To belt over or under the cardigan is really up to you. If you have a small waist and want to highlight it, then belt over, if your waist looks smaller with only a small piece of belt showing in between the cardigan, then belt under.
H, V and O shapes usually look better with their belt underneath, whilst I, X, A & 8 shapes can easily belt over their cardigans.
Imogen, how does one hold one of those high belts, perched under the ribcage, up?
Duchesse it really only stays there if that’s where your natural waist is. If it’s lower, the belt will sit lower. Susan has a short, high waist, so hers sit up high natuurally!
Interesting. For me belting over the cardigan is too formal – taking off the cardigan would require fussing with the belt, and in general it looks too uptight to me. Belting under the cardigan is intriguing but not recommended for me (X), and looks kind of artificial anyway – like jewellery on the belly, it’s obviously there just for decoration …
My 2 cents,
T&S Anon
I like wear the belt on top of the cardigan but that’s just me