Fat, Frugal, and Fabulous: Belts are your Friend

I recently bought a pair of shorts featured in an entry (here). They came with a cute neon pink belt. Though the belt does basically nothing to hold up the shorts, I thought it could be a cute addition to dresses. I know a lot of bigger girls think they can't belt things because it will make them look fat, and I find that disappointing. It's just the opposite! Adding a belt gives an outfit shape. It draws the eyes in creating the illusion of (or highlighting) a tiny waist. What girl doesn't want an hourglass, real or created?

When I got brave enough to try belting a dress for the first time I did it under a cardigan and it looked great. It had almost the same effect as belting it over the sweater but it was slightly understated. The eye was drawn in at my waist and the sweater covered up the belly I thought I was highlighting. Now, I've gotten a little more brave. I loved the color combination of the pink and green. And that awkward end of the belt? Knot it, loop it, whatever tickles your fancy.