Cheryl Marie Cordeiro

If you’re on a budget and you’re wondering what to invest in this autumn, not wanting to buy too many new items to your wardrobe, then the belt might be an accessory to consider.

I walked away from my trip to London a few weeks ago with only ONE purchase. A cream patent leather L.K. Bennett belt which I bought from the store down Bond Street.

Belts have the ability to transform a look from simple to something more glamourous, depending on the kind of belt you use. And for a small amount of money (a belt would certainly cost less than an entire new outfit), the nipped in waist also transforms your silhouette, so you will have a different look with and without just the belt.

Here, I’ll show you how to really stretch your dollar and put that one accessory to good use or overuse. And I’m going to do that with the L.K. Bennett belt I purchased two weeks ago that looks like this:

I’m wearing it with a black knit top (French make) and vintage wool skirt (Japanese make) ensemble in the picture above.

Over a vintage mink fur coat for that Miranda Priestley look.

Here’s the look of that same coat, left open and unbelted.

Over a Patrizia Pepe black coat.

Here’s a picture of the coat without the belt, rendering a more school-girl, lolita look.

Over a Patrizia Pepe beige coat.

And over a Patrizia Pepe dark brown coat.

Why all Patrizia Pepe coats? Well, Patrizia P. is an Italian make brand that sells in Sweden and it is one of the brands that carry a smaller cut that fits me good.

So if you’re a petite woman living in Scandinavia, Patrizia Pepe is recommended. You can find Patrizia Pepe collections at Effe in Gothenburg or at any NK department store in Sweden.

Here are some other delicious looking belts I found on NET-A-PORTER.com.

A Miu Miu patent belt that looks similar to the L.K. Bennett I bought.

A Roberto Cavalli patent horse buckle belt.

A Fendi patent B belt of bronze metallic colour.

If patent leather belts are not your thing, hit your nearest store and start trying out one that suits you.

Happy shopping!