Not The Breast Way To Wear Your Belt

When I was in elementary school, our substitute gym teacher was an older (but still spritely) woman.  However, her wardrobe of polyester high-water bell-bottoms, orthopedic shoes, and short-sleeved button downs was depressing. And her breasts, unsupported by any form of a bra, hung to traumatic lows. What she did use to support her bosom was a brown leather belt. I imagine that sometime during the 60s, that belt had found a home near her natural waist. But by the late 80s (*cough* I'm showing my age), her pants had traveled up to a retirement locale otherwise known as right-beneath-her-breasts. 

And now it seems that fashion wants to make all pretty young things prematurely demented....or eldery substitute gym teachers.  Because the new trend is to one-up my gym teacher and actually belt your bustline.  It is not high-waisted style, nor is it an evolution-slash-statement on high-wasted style.  It's just wrong. 

I'm even more surprised that Society for Rational Dress, a line I am normally a fan of, embraced this decidedly NOT rational trend. Stop abusing the belt. It can go on the hip and the waist.  It can inspire jewelry trends and decorative elements on shoes.  It can threaten children. It cannot, however, decide to set up residence on top of a girl's nipples. 

Bad....

… and worse.

So, what are some better ways to rock a belt?

Try mixing masculine with feminine by pairing an oversized tan belt with a girly satin frock like this one from Rory Beca ($343, belt included).

Or use the belt in a more traditional sense - to cinch the waist and complement the exotic pattern of this Tibi belted dress ($240).

Or go against the norm and belt your wrist with a CC Skye Buckle Bangle ($146.25).