I was recently at a shopping event in my hometown of Greenwich, CT when the unthinkable happened: two women were wearing the exact same belt. And it wasn’t just any belt, but a large rattan waist belt with a circular buckle. Aka, their twinning moment was very noticeable to all.
But instead of being embarrassed about the faux pas, the women were laughing. “Isn’t this the BEST belt?!’ one declared. They were just both so happy to have found the perfect accessory that could turn any shapeless summer frock or caftan into a chic, cinched-at-the-waist flattering outfit.
“Where is it from?” I asked, ever the shameless shopper. “J.McLaughlin!’ they both exclaimed.
After doing a little digging, I realized that I was the last woman on the Eastern Seaboard to learn of it. Every blogger sipping Aperol spritzes from Nantucket to Newport has been wearing it on their feeds. From Amy Guzzi to Ann Caruso and the ladies at Habitual Hostess, and many more. It is, without question, the belt of summer ’24.
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The preppy style belt completes innumerable summer looks. From J.McLaughlin’s own linen shirt dresses, to CaraCara prints and even flowy boho styles. I styled mine with white wide-leg jeans for dinner, then again over a white lace Sea dress for the Fourth of July. Between those two looks and the half dozen other times I’ve worn it since June, I would say it is more than worth the price tag.
