Make Your Own Belt Kit? 126 Most Correct Answers

Worn band or braid, usually around the waist or hips

“Hip belt” redirects here. For other types of belts, see Belt (disambiguation)

An ordinary black leather belt with a metal buckle

Medieval Islamic Belt Fittings, Eastern Iran, AD 900 (Khalili Collection)

A belt is a flexible band or strap, typically made of leather, plastic, or heavy fabric, worn around or near the natural waist (to the hips). The ends of a strap are free; and a buckle forms the belt into a loop by attaching one end to another part of the belt at or near the other end. Often the resulting loop is smaller than the hips. Belts come in many lengths due to the different waist sizes, and most belts can be adjusted at the buckle to fit the wearer’s waist.

Description[edit]

Belts are used in a variety of ways to secure or hold clothing such as pants, shorts, and skirts. carry items such as tools and weapons; and to define or accentuate the waist.

A belt worn on trousers. Three types of belt loops are visible: a loop sewn onto the garment itself (middle), a retention loop attached to the belt (left) and a freely detachable loop (right)

Some garments have a series of belt loops at the waist through which a belt can be threaded. Additionally, many belts have a “holster loop” attached to one end near the buckle. The hand strap prevents the free end of the belt from flapping around after the belt is buckled. Some belts also have an end tip (metal or leather) that covers the free end of the belt to protect it from damage.[1]

For dresses, gowns and gowns, belts do not hold up the garment but can cinch its waist and define or accentuate it. Because these garments maintain their position on the body by hanging down at the shoulders or by rubbing against the upper body, they don’t need belts to stay up. The width of the belts worn with such garments need not be limited by the size of the belt loops: some wide belts, called waist cinchers, overlap in appearance and function with corsets.

Belts that hold clothing in place work through friction, often taking advantage of the narrow girth (and compressibility) of the torso over the hips. (Suspenders, which are also used to hold garments such as pants, do not rely on friction, compression, and the waist-to-hip ratio, but on maintaining the distance between the wearer’s shoulders and the garment’s waist: the garment is held by suspension (hanging), without the need for the friction and compression of a belt, and the same principle applies to dungarees. A garter belt (also called a suspender belt) uses both methods: the belt holds its position on the body through friction and/or compression, or near the waist and/or by being smaller than the hips, and it maintains the position of the stockings on the legs by suspension. A garter belt works in the same way as a garter belt, but only for one leg, the top band of the Garter is worn around the thigh or calf instead of the waist A simple garter, a band that is worn on worn on one leg to hold hosiery works like a belt, using friction and compression.)

Belts are often used as fashion accessories in many colors, styles and finishes. In the heavy metal subculture, bullet belts and studded belts are worn. Belt buckles, often made of metal, vary from simple, solid-color finishes to ornate belt plates with embossed or bas-relief images or multicolored logos. Pouches for carrying items such as purses, holsters, scabbards, and inrōs can be attached to belts and used in place of a garment’s pockets. Many belts are marketed for one gender or the other, despite their universal functionality.

history [edit]

Pattern on a fabric belt that is part of an Estonian national costume.

Belts have been documented as male clothing since the Bronze Age. Both sexes have used them from time to time depending on the fashion trend. In the western world, belts were more common for men, with the exception of the early medieval period, late 17th-century mantua, and skirt-blouse combinations between 1901 and 1910. Art Nouveau belt buckles are now collector’s items. In the second half of the 19th century and up until World War I, the belt was both a decorative and a utilitarian part of military uniform, particularly among officers. In the armed forces of Prussia, Tsarist Russia, and other Eastern European nations, it was common for officers to wear extremely tight, tucked into the stomach and exceptionally wide belts around the waist on the outside of the uniform, both for support of a saber and for aesthetic reasons. These fitted belts served to accentuate the waist and give the wearer a slim build that emphasized broad shoulders and a pouting chest. Often the belt served only to accentuate the waist, which was narrowed by a corset worn under the uniform, a practice particularly common during the Crimean Wars and often noted by soldiers on the Western Front. Political cartoonists of the time [when?] often portrayed soldiers’ tight waist-lacing to comedic effect, and a few cartoons survive showing officers being corseted by their subordinates, a practice that was certainly uncomfortable but deemed necessary and imposing became.

Made from rock cut diamonds set in a golden belt.

In the modern era, men began wearing belts in the 1920s when waistbands fell to a lower line. Before the 1920s, belts were primarily decorative and associated with the military. Also, the pants didn’t even have belt loops before. Pants with belt loops were already present as sportswear in the 19th century.[2] Today it is common for men to wear belts with trousers. In the US military, belts are worn snugly at dress events or inspection to give an impression of fitness and discipline. Beginning in 1989, US military standards regarding seat belt tightness during normal and non-duty activities were relaxed somewhat to prevent adverse effects of prolonged excessive abdominal constriction.

In some countries, a father’s belt could be associated with corporal punishment. Because belts are made of materials like leather that are both strong and light, a belt can easily be used to inflict severe pain by using it as a whip to smack the buttocks of a misbehaving child. Additionally, belts were handy disciplining tools as they are generally ready to use. The belt can symbolize paternal authority and fatherly responsibility for one’s children’s behavior and moral development, but corporal punishment is not as recommended in modern society as it was in the past.

Since the 1980s, and more commonly the mid-1990s [citation needed], the practice of sagging pants, in which the waistbands (usually fastened by a belt) of trousers or (usually long) shorts are worn at or below the hips, thereby reducing the Exposing the upper portion of any undergarment that is not covered by an upper body garment has been observed in young men and boys, particularly those who are black and associated with hip-hop culture and fashion. This practice is believed to have its origins in prison gangs and the ban on belts in prison (due to their use as weapons and as an aid to suicide) – historically, including in the second half of the 20’s Boys were expected to wear their belts tightly closed.[3]

materials [edit]

Leather is the most popular belt material because it can be bent, folded and tightened without being damaged. Genuine leather belts also adapt to the wearer over time, providing a comfortable and tailored fit.[4]

Belts are usually made from cowhide. Full grain leather is the highest quality cowhide leather available and is recommended for its durability even with daily use. Calfskin is soft and supple, making a full-grain calfskin belt one of the highest quality on the market.[1]

Belts are also available in a variety of other materials including braided leather, embossed leather, suede, leather-backed straps, canvas, webbing, rope, vinyl, and others.[1]

Fashion and formality[edit]

In today’s modern era, belts have changed from being purely a commodity to a fashion accessory. There are some unspoken rules for belts when it comes to belt shape and color, especially for men wearing suits versus a woman’s belt choice being rooted in the fashion trend and not always out of necessity.

Formal[ edit ]

Belts for formal pants/dress are typically 28-32mm wide (a little less than 11⁄4 inches). These belts feature special touches like trapunto straps, beveled edges, fine stitch gauge and a tapered tip. The leather, when made of leather, usually has a semi or high gloss finish (e.g. spazzalato leather), with a tight grain and a smooth leather backing. Dress belts typically have a buckle with a polished metal finish.[1]

Casual [ edit ]

Casual belts, commonly worn with denim, typically range in width from 35mm[5] to 42mm (just under 1 1⁄2 inches). These typically feature a one-piece leather construction with a textured appearance, an antique finish belt buckle, wider, heavier stitching or latches to ensure a strong construction.

Gallery [ edit ]

A Tibetan Woman’s Traditional Studded Belt for TCV’s 50th Anniversary. 2010

belt buckle

belt buckle loop

belt plate

belt buckle

belt attachment

belt mount

Half straps are half straps and a full connection is made by clipping the halves together to create a more unitary strap. There is very little historical evidence about the semi-girdle and its origins. The demi-girdles can be traced back to AD 845 with no direct evidence of their birth.

See also[edit]

Let’s face it: belts are uncomfortable. That’s where I said it. You actually get more uncomfortable as the day goes on (yes, really, because your weight actually fluctuates throughout the day).

So why do we all wear something so uncomfortable when it doesn’t even work?

It’s time to switch to a belt alternative. Here’s why belts don’t work and some ideas on what to wear instead.

How can I tighten my pants without a belt?

If your belt holds your pants up, then technically it’s doing its job. However, from the standpoint of style and comfort, simply keeping the pants from falling is not enough. Also, many belts don’t even meet the basic utility metric.

If you are looking for other solutions to prevent your pants from falling, please see my guide to preventing pants from falling. 13 Killer Solutions items.

This cannot be the fault of the belt itself. For a belt to hold your pants up without digging into your stomach, it needs to rest on your butt and hips. So if you don’t have a bum or hips, the alternative is to tighten your belt enough that it cuts into your low stomach, hence the muffin top look. It’s uncomfortable and socially awkward.

For many people, the solution is to find a way to hold up your pants that doesn’t rely on your butt and hips—in other words, not a belt. There are a few ways to go about this, depending on your personal preference and style.

What if I have a big belly?

If you’re like many middle-aged men who face the problem of growing, middle, shrinking butt, you have options. Better still, many of them are more comfortable than a belt.

Basically think of the mechanics of holding up your pants. If the problem is a belt digging into your stomach, look for options that work around this. Either way, for guys with a big belly, watch out for the tailoring. This is often overlooked, but it actually makes a world of difference when it comes to keeping your pants up without making it impossible to breathe.

Alternatives to wearing a belt

With that in mind, here are some great alternatives to wearing a belt. Keep in mind that these will depend on your personal preferences, style, and destination (and associated dress code).

Don’t feel limited to one option – there’s a whole new wonderful beltless world out there.

1. Suspenders

Suspenders are now an icon of hipster clothing and quirky style, but they’re not an invention of the too-cool crowd. They were actually invented in 1822 by a British fashion designer named Albert Thurston. Back then, people wore them religiously—there was no competitor back then.

That changed with the invention of the belt. Nonetheless, belts were used primarily for military uniforms as decorations until after World War I, when trousers were cut to sit lower on the waist and men became more accustomed to belts. Suspenders only became popular again in the 1990s and early 2000s when a hip-hop icon named Fonzworth Bentley popularized them.

Today they are more of a fashion choice, but they are still highly functional. Many men find them more comfortable than belts and work on pants without belt loops.

Where to buy: Amazon

2. Hiker Hidden Suspenders

Designed to be worn under your open shirt to keep it hidden, Hikers is a belt alternative as well as an alternative to traditional suspenders. One easy attachment point at the front buttonhole of your trousers and one at the back.

As an added bonus, thanks to their innovative attachment method, hikers won’t pop out of their pants like most braces. Made in the USA. Free shipping for US residents.

Note: If you wear your shirt tucked in, Hikers won’t work for you. See the other products below.

Where to buy: Hikersco.com

3. BeltBro

BeltBro is basically the love child of elastic waistbands and belts. Instead of a belt buckle, a BeltBro uses an elastic strip (or even a rubber band all the way around your waist) and Velcro instead of a belt buckle. This makes them far more comfortable than your average belt, more flexible than side tab adjusters, and less of an obvious fashion statement than suspenders.

The downside of a BeltBro or similar device is that they’re not really acceptable in a formal setting. In cases where you wear work clothes like a suit, you need to wear a proper belt. But for a more casual work environment or just hanging out, a BeltBro is a great option.

Where to buy: beltbro.com

Belt alternative to BeltBro

4. Side tab adjusters

Side adjusters are a bit like a belt without the general discomfort or durability of tailoring. They are small buckles, usually one on each hip, that allow you to tighten the waist about an inch on either side.

These are a great option for men who need a formal attire for work but don’t want to rock suspenders. The downside is they can have the same cinch effect as a belt, so it’s a matter of what feels comfortable to you.

There is a great article on the properties of trousers on gentlemansgazette.com that talks about side adjusters. So if you are looking for a belt alternative, consider buying pants with side adjusters.

5. Pants support

PantsProp (patent pending) is a super cool silicone-like grip that supports your pants and prevents them from falling over your hips.

You pin it to the bottom of your shirt just below your waistline, one on each side, and it creates a slight edge for the waist of your pants to sit on. Use in conjunction with your favorite belt or even try an elastic/stretchy belt (I LOVE these!! See link below).

PantsProp offers free shipping for US residents.

Where to buy: pantsprop.com | Elastic belts: Amazon

6. Well-tailored pants

Well-tailored trousers: They are no longer just for tailored suits.

Once upon a time, in the olden days, when everyone’s clothes were made especially for them, tailoring was a part of everyday life. Then ready-to-wear came along, which is why we have belts in the first place. Jeans were one of the earliest forms of ready-to-wear clothing made specifically for workers, but as items were no longer made to order, jeans manufacturers introduced the concept of belt loops to compensate for the fact that there is no one size fits all.

Now it’s time to bring back tailored pants—specifically, tailored pants. If you buy clothes off the rack, go to a tailor and have your new pants retrofitted.

7. Elastic waistband

Without a pair of well-tailored pants, an elastic waistband is the next best thing. In terms of comfort, these are actually the most comfortable belt alternatives. Plus, an elastic waistband stretches and contracts with you, so there’s no problem if you gain or lose weight.

Luckily, pants with an elastic waistband are easy to spot and don’t require any external investment from the pants, like suspenders or a tailor. The downside is that pants with an elastic waistband are more casual.

More style tips men can count on

There’s a whole world of belt alternatives out there. So the real question is: which one is right for you?

Looking for more great style tips? Be sure to check out the site for more great tips like this list of my tried-and-true favorite underwear and undershirts that every man should have on hand.

Some links on this page offer me a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, see my Partner Disclosures page.

Not sure which leather belt to buy? We stock a variety of quality men’s leather belts made from different animal skins and in this post we’re going to help you by explaining which leather is best for belts.

Full grain leather belt

Full grain leather belts tend to be of the highest quality as the top layer of skin provides a strong and durable material. This, along with the natural aesthetic you don’t get from other types of leather, means that genuine, full-grain leather is generally considered the best for belts.

With more than 80 different premium calfskin and exotic leathers, our collection includes a variety of textures and colors. Each belt is handcrafted in our Atlanta factory to maintain the quality of materials and create a belt that lasts.

Popular animal skin belts

Alligator Belt & Crocodile Belt

Our most popular exotic belts are alligator belts and crocodile belts as they are durable and versatile. The darker shades and glossy finish allow for use as a dress belt, while the lighter colors and matte finish lend themselves to casual belts and belts to wear with jeans.

For the best result, we use smaller, high-quality skins for their great texture and few imperfections. Pictured above is our Caiman Crocodile, popular for its soft semi-matte finish.

Calfskin belt

These are considered the most likely answer when looking for the best leather for your belt. Calfskin belts are best made from small hides that offer softness and durability with few imperfections. They’re tough enough to be worn often, yet flexible enough to allow for comfort and movement.

Conclusion

We use many types of leather and animal skins to create our luxury leather and exotic skin belts. Generally, the best leather for genuine leather belts is a full-grain calfskin belt. We hope you found this information useful while shopping.

We wrote this blog post based on common opinions and our years of experience designing handcrafted belts for our customers at our Atlanta, Georgia factory. We have highlighted some of our favourites, but other leathers such as ostrich, lizard and bison also have their own individual qualities and style advantages. To find a belt that suits your particular taste and needs, you can browse our belts by lifestyle.

This step assumes you have purchased finished leather or that you have dyed and finished leather yourself. If you need help dyeing the leather, read THIS POST.

For the strap cutter to work, the leather must have a straight edge. Your first step will be the first straight cut across the leather. That’s pretty easy. Just take your long ruler (preferably at least 3 feet) and place it across the top of the leather. The goal is to get it as close to the edge as possible without part of the ruler coming off the leather. This creates a long, straight cut with the least amount of waste. It is ideal to do this along the part of the leather that would have been along the cow’s back. This is for two reasons. Firstly, there is generally less waste as this part of the leather is already fairly straight as opposed to the bottom of the leather which has peninsulas from the legs. Secondly, the leather from this back area is a bit tougher than the leather from the belly. This harder leather is exactly what you want in a belt. Once you have drawn a clean straight line across the leather with the ruler and scratch number, go ahead and make your cut with the leather knife.

Step 2: Cut out the ribbon

Requirements: Straight Edge Leather, Strap Cutter

Seat belt cutters are great. You’ll save a ton of time cutting straps and belts, but with speed comes the opportunity to mess up the cut. If this is your first time using a tape cutter, don’t panic, just go slow. Before cutting, set the belt cutter to the desired belt width. Most belts I make are 1 1/4 inches, but you can go larger or smaller, just make sure the width you choose matches the size of belt buckle you have for the project. 8-12 ounces is thick leather so make sure there is enough space between the twin arms to allow the leather to fit through. This can be adjusted quickly with the nut on the end of the twin arms opposite the blade. Once the width and thickness are set, go ahead and make your cut. Start with the strap cutter at one end of the leather and pull it toward you and into the leather. It is extremely important that you press the straight edge of the leather into the flat handle of the strap cutter. If the leather slips beyond the handle or the handle pulls away from the leather, the strap will no longer be straight on your cut. If you screw up here, it’s no big deal, but you’re wasting some leather. You need to go back to the first step and trim the messed up straight to make sure you have another straight e dge to work with.

Belt loops are essential for keeping a belt in place on a garment. Who hasn’t struggled to keep a belt in the correct position, or just tried to keep track of a belt on a coat with no belt loops?

WowCarol pants in Kenneth D. King’s Jean-ius! class

Fortunately, belt loops are easy and quick to make. That’s how it’s done:

Some things to keep in mind:

You can even craft them and add them to an RTW garment that came without loops! It is your choice whether to make the loops from the same or a contrasting fabric and the only real consideration is the bulk of the fabric you wish to use. If your fabric is extremely heavy, consider either paneling the fabric with a lighter fabric or using a contrast fabric that is less bulky. You can even combine cord or ribbon trims to create a unique belt strap that will enhance the appearance of your garment.

First determine the number of loops you wish to sew onto your garment. Usually coats and dresses only have loops at the side seams, although sometimes more can be added for decorative or functional purposes. Pants and skirts often appear visually slimmer when the belt loops are positioned a few inches either side of the center front and center back, although the placement of the zipper also helps determine where the belt loops should be.

Now that you know the total number of loops needed, next determine how long each loop should be made. To do this, of course, you need to know the width of the belt. Each belt loop length should be equal to the belt width + 1/2″ + 1″ for seam allowances. So for a 2″ belt you would need each belt loop to be 3 1/2″ long.

How to make belt loops

The quickest and easiest way to make the loops is to cut a strip slightly longer than the sum of (total number of belt loops x length of each belt loop). For example, if you want to make 5 belt loops, each 3 1/2 inches long, you will need to cut a strip of fabric that is 17 1/2 inches or slightly longer.

Now what about the width of the strip? The finished width of your belt loop is a matter of personal preference, but construction will depend on the weight of the fabric used. If you want to use a medium weight fabric, the cutting width should be four times the finished width. So let’s say you want to make loops with a finished width of 1/2″ and you’re using quilt weight cotton for the fabric. That means you would cut a 17 1/2″ (from the top) x 2″ strip to create 5 loops that are 1/2″ wide. Then you would:

Step 1:

Fold your strip in half lengthwise and press.

Step 2:

Fold the long raw edges to the center crease and press.

Step 3:

Fold it in half lengthwise again and press the original centerfold again.

Step 4:

Sew close to the edge on both long sides of the strip.

Step 5:

Cut into 5 loops, each 3 1/2″ long.

Jeans by artistikim in Kenneth D. King’s Jean-ius! class

How to make belt loops out of lightweight fabric

Another construction method that works well for very lightweight fabrics uses a fusible backing and eliminates the edge seams.

Step 1:

Using the edging edge for a long edge, cut a strip twice the width of the finished loop + 1/4″.

Step 2:

Cut a strip of webbing the same width as the last belt loop.

Step 3:

Using the long, raw edge of the strip, turn the fabric 1/4″ wrong side and press.

Step 4:

Lay the fixing tape close to the pressing edge and fix it.

Step 5:

Remove the paper backing and fold the selvedge over the fusible web and press.

Step 6:

Cut the strip into individual loops.

This is how you attach the belt loops when the waistband is already sewn

Step 1:

Mark the placement lines for the loops on the garment.

Step 2:

Fold 1/2″ of each end of the belt loop wrong side and pin both the top and bottom placement marks for a loop.

Step 3:

Sew through all layers of fabric with a narrow zigzag or bar tack stitch and secure both ends of the loop to the garment.

If the waistband has not yet been created, the loops can be inserted into the waistband seam edge and then topstitched at the top edge of the waistband.

Ready to sew an entire pair of pants? Check out Pant Construction Techniques with Sandra Betzina and Jean-ius! Reverse engineer your favorite fit with Kenneth D. King to get started!

Have you ever tried adding belt loops to an RTW garment?

Maybe you’ve lost some weight, or maybe you ordered a new pair of jeans from Amazon and then found that they didn’t quite fit at the waist when they arrived at your house. Either way, you are faced with the problem that your trousers, which are too big, do not fit! If you want to keep your pants wider but don’t like the baggy look of cinching everything with a belt, you’re faced with the question of how to tighten your pants without a belt.

The best way to temporarily tighten pants without a belt is to use a safety pin, shoelace, or suspenders. The easiest permanent way to make pants slimmer without a belt is to button up the side seams or pay a tailor to alter the waist. By shrinking the pants, the waist is also permanently adjusted.

In this article, you will learn thirteen easy ways to tighten pants without a belt. You will also find tips on how to wear jeans without a belt. Finally, you’ll learn how to wear a belt with pants that don’t have belt loops.

How to tighten pants without a belt: 13 easy methods

You can create many different stylish looks that streamline your pants without wearing a belt. Of course there is nothing wrong with a belt look! But sometimes you don’t have a belt handy, or it doesn’t match your outfit for the day.

If so, try one of these thirteen easy styles instead!

1. Belt replacement

If your pants have belt loops, you can easily replace the belt with many colorful or unique items. This creates a different style while keeping your pants up! This technique can work for both men and women, but you should select an item from the list below that suits your personal aesthetic and complements the outfit you have in mind.

Try one of these as a belt replacement:

A silk scarf that can be folded into a long rectangle or loosely gathered for a boho look.

A piece of rope. For added flair, you can tie or braid it into a unique pattern!

A long piece of tape folded on itself so it isn’t sticky.

A long chain looped over itself.

A tie or two knotted together.

You’ll probably want to reserve these for a desperate situation, but if you work outside and have a loose pants situation, you can always use a bungee cord to keep your pants in place!

2. button it

If you need a quick fix for button-up baggy trousers, you can sew an extra button a little further into the waist. This means you can move the buttonhole further towards the waist and create a smaller circle for the waistband.

Even if you’ve never sewn a stitch in your life, you can handle sewing on a button. Just follow these simple steps!

You will need a needle, scissors, chalk or fabric marker, a button the same size as the one already on your pants and a piece of thread that matches the color of the pants.

First, cut a piece of thread about four inches long. Tie a double knot at one end of the thread. Use the unknotted end of the thread to thread the needle. If you’re new to needles, choose one with a large eye for easier threading! Also make sure the needle has a sharp point to easily pierce the thick fabric of your pants. Next, try on your pants. Unbutton them and move the empty buttonhole over them until the waistband feels snug. Using chalk or a fabric pen, draw a line through the buttonhole and mark this new spot on the waistband. At this mark, pull the needle through from the inside of the waistband. The knot in the thread should catch and hold in the waistband. Pass the needle through one of the holes in the button. Slide the button down the length of thread, then hold the button firmly on the chalk mark. Poke the needle through another hole in the button and pull the thread all the way through. You should now have a loop of thread holding the button in place. You will repeat this process, pushing the needle out through one hole in the button and then reinserting it through another hole in the button until the button appears to be snug against the waistband. To finish, tie another knot in the waistband and knot the thread to keep it from unraveling.

You should now have two buttons on your waistband that you can use to make the waist bigger or smaller as needed!

3. Brackets

You can use many different types of clips to temporarily tighten your pants. This trick works best when you need an outfit that will only look great for a few minutes, such as during a photo shoot. For example, wedding dresses use clips at the back of the dress so brides can see what an oversized dress would look like if it were the right size.

You don’t want to be hopping around town while wearing a clip to hold up your pants because the clip on the back looks bulky! The exception to this is if you have a nice long baggy shirt that you can drape over the clip and hide it.

You can use any type of object that will pinch the waistband of your pants, including:

Clothespins – the kind with a hinge will work best. You shouldn’t use wooden needles, as a loose splinter could get caught in your pants.

paper clips. These have a firm grip that holds!

Chip bag clips like you can buy at Ikea.

Seamstress Clips. These usually have rubber tips over the ends of the clips, making them a good choice for delicate pants.

4. Elastic waistband

If you’re working to lose weight or are hesitating between pant sizes, you might want to consider wearing pants with elastic waistbands for a while. Before you roll your eyes and move on to the next method, we’re not talking about your granny’s rubber pants!

Today, you can find pants with an elastic waistband in many fashionable styles. You can even find jeans with an elastic waistband! Brands like Loft, St. John’s Bay and LuLuLemon sell cute elastic waist pants for women. For men, try Land’s End, Aeropostal or L.L Bean for nice pants with a comfortable waist.

Of course, you’d have to buy the pants, so this isn’t a great last minute solution. But if you know you’re going to resize, you might want to go elastic for a while.

5. Layer your look

Another quick fix for a loose pant situation is to wear layered clothing. This will give your waist a little more volume and your waistband will fit again!

You can do this in different ways:

The easiest way to do this is to wear a tuck-in shirt! If you’re pairing your oversized pants with button-down pants or a similar style that looks nice tucked in, that extra layer of shirt between you and the pants could do the trick!

Wear a t-shirt or tank top under your shirt. You can tuck in the undershirt and leave the shirt hanging to cover the extra bulk at your waist!

Tuck in a sweater or bulkier shirt to keep your pants snug.

Alternatively, you can wear leggings, shorts or (in really desperate circumstances) extra underwear to make your pants fit!

Another possible solution that has been loved by many schoolgirls in recent years is to turn the waistband inside out. This only works with some pant styles, but rolling the waistband over a few times will add volume and fit tighter!

This method works well when you’re in a hurry and at home where you can grab an extra piece of clothing to bulk things up a bit when getting dressed.

6. Paper clips

If you have skinny pants and a large paperclip, you can try this method to pinch the waistband in an emergency! This works well when you’re out and need to borrow a pair of pants that don’t quite fit you.

How does it work?

Lay your pants flat on the floor with the back of the pants facing up. Locate the two middle belt loops on the back of the waistband. Thread a large paper clip through one of these loops. Then press in the center back of the waistband so that you can also thread the second belt loop through the paper clip. This works the same way as threading a key to a keychain – you have to slide the belt loop through the paper clip until it is in the center of the clip. Arrange the clip so that it lies flat and horizontal to the waistband. Wear a shirt, sweater, or sweatshirt that extends past your waistband to hide the paper clip!

7. Fold with safety pin

Safety pins offer one of the safest and least obvious ways to tighten your pants. Anytime you need to make a hasty adjustment that looks more or less like sewing, you can use a safety pin on the inside of your clothing to simulate stitches!

Depending on how much gathering you have at the waist, you can either create a dart crease or a pleat at the back of the waistband. Small, unobtrusive pins work best for this, but if you want to pick up jeans or pants with a thick fabric, you may need larger pins.

First, turn your pants inside out. Flatten them out on the floor or a table with the back of the pants facing up. For a dart-like crease, find the middle of the waist. Pinch this together to create a triangle of fabric at the center back of the pants. Fold the top of the triangle to one side and pin it to the waistband. For a crease that looks more like a crease, start with the pants face down on the floor. Then find the center back. Measure an inch either side of this center point and mark with chalk or an extra safety pin. Next, bring this marked point to the center point. Do this for both sides to create a pleat crease. Pin the pleats and try to make sure the safety pins aren’t showing on the outside of the pants.

You can adjust the amount of fabric you fold into the dart or crease. A larger pleat makes the waistband narrower but also looks more noticeable.

8. Sew it

Depending on the type of pants you need to alter, a bit of sewing can be a quick but permanent fix. Jeans, khakis, and anything made out of a tough fabric won’t work as well with this method unless you have a special sewing machine that can handle heavy fabric!

That said, dress pants, sweatpants, and anything made of thin material are easily altered.

For this method you will need a sewing machine, suitable thread, chalk and scissors.

Try your pants on inside out. Gather the loose fabric on either side of your waist, trying to make sure you pick up equal amounts on both sides. Use sewing needles or sewing clips to hold the loose fabric on the sides. This will let you know how much to take at the waist on each side. Take off the pants and use a piece of chalk to draw the line you want to sew on each side. You need to start at the new point you pinned on the waistband and taper the line towards the old side seam until your chalk line meets the side seam. Do this for each side. Set up your sewing machine with matching thread. Then just sew the chalk lines you drew and there will be two new side seams! Use your scissors to cut off any hanging threads.

As a pro tip: to properly resize a pant, you need to remove the waistband, adjust both the side seams and back seam, and maybe add some discreet darts. Then you sew the waistband back on and the pants look like you bought them in this new size!

However, this process requires a lot of work and a certain amount of skill. Simply sewing in a new side seam works well enough for a quick fix!

9. Shoelaces

It may not look fancy, but a simple shoelace can save the day and hold up your pants by themselves! This method works for any type of pants that have belt loops. All you need is a shoelace or some type of cord that is at least 6 inches long.

Put your pants on so you know how tight to tighten them. Behind Rhea to find the two belt loops closest to the center back of your pants. Thread the lace through these two loops. Pull firmly on both ends of the shoelace and pull the belt loops together. Tie the ends of the shoelace in a bow or knot. Tuck the loose ends of the laces into the waist of your pants to hide them!

10. Shrink Options

It’s a bit risky, but you can shrink most pants a size or two using a hot water method. Shrinkage clothes can reduce them by up to two to three sizes, but you run the risk of shrinking crookedly or your pants will shrink too much. For this reason, you should probably save yourself the shrink method as a last resort, as it will permanently change your pants.

Also, some types of fabrics shrink easily while others do not. Any type of cotton-rich fabric, like jeans, will shrink fairly easily.

Fill a large pot about two-thirds full with water. Bring it to a boil on your stove. Gently lower your pants into the boiling water. You may want to use tongs to avoid splashing yourself with hot water. Let the pants cook for about twenty minutes. Carry the pot to your kitchen sink. Make sure the sink is clean first! Use the tongs again to lift the pants out of the boiling water and into the sink. Once the pants are cool enough to handle, take them to your dryer. Run them through a normal cycle to dry completely.

11. cord

Using strings to hold up your pants doesn’t look particularly classy, ​​but in desperate times, it can hold your pants up until you find a better solution!

All you have to do is thread a piece of string or twine through your belt loops so that the string circles your waist several times. The double cord serves as a belt!

You may find that the cord has a sharper edge than the average belt, causing it to push through your pants and dig into your stomach when you bend over. Using safety pins or the shoelace method will likely feel more comfortable in the long run.

12. Suspenders

Suspenders offer a classic, old-fashioned alternative to the belt. Most modern suspenders have small clips at each end that allow them to be looped over each shoulder and then attached to the waistband of your pants to hold them up front and back!

In fact, you can’t combine suspenders with every outfit. You might not look good with jogging bottoms, for example! But you will be surprised how many cute looks you can put together with a blouse, suspenders and rolled up cuffs on your pants for women. For men, anything from t-shirts to formal wear can look great with suspenders!

You can buy a pair of suspenders for less than ten dollars from many different brands, making this a cost-effective solution too!

13. Customize it

Finally, if you have a pair of quality pants and they just don’t fit you anymore, you might want to consider professional tailoring. On average, tailors charge between $14 and $20 to alter a pant waistband. They have tools that will remove a fret and then put it back on much easier than it is for the average house sewer!

Also, a tailor will cut your pants so neatly that they look like they were made that way!

The downside is that you have to decide for yourself if this method is worth the cost. If your pants cost less than $20 to begin with, you might not want to spend that much money on modifications.

How to keep jeans without a belt

The shoelace method or wearing suspenders is a good way to hold up sagging jeans without a belt. Using safety pins or clips will not work on jeans as the thick fabric will puff up and look bulky.

For jeans that feel a little too loose, try wearing a tucked-in camisole or leggings underneath the jeans. This works great in cold weather as it gives you extra insulation and a bit more volume to pull your pants tight around your waist!

You may also need to reconsider the style of jeans you buy. Different jeans cuts have differently shaped waists. Some of these styles suit certain body types better than others. For example, skinny jeans usually have a cinched waist to keep them up, while low-rise jeans should wrap around your hips and may slide down more easily for people with narrow hips.

Eventually, the cotton fibers in denim loosen up and soften over time. That means you’ll probably have to buy jeans that feel a little too tight because they stretch as you wear them.

How do you keep your pants up?

The easiest way to ensure your pants stay up is to buy pants that are a size and style that exactly fits your body type. If you don’t have the time, money or patience for this, you can try one of the methods described in this article.

You can also buy some tools designed to keep pants up. These include:

A waistband clip that you twist at the waist to take up excess fabric. Amazon sells this one.

You can pay a tailor to insert side tabs. These small loops attach to a button at the waistband and pull the waist a little tighter on each side.

You can try a waist-encircling or buckleless belt. Check out this model on Amazon!

How to put a belt on pants without loops

You can wear a belt over pants that don’t have belt loops, but the belt will look more decorative than effective unless you pull it very tight.

Most men’s pants come with belt loops. Women’s clothing, especially skirts, often not. For this reason, women often wear belts as a decorative statement piece rather than to hold up pants or a skirt.

You can put a belt around a pair of no-loop pants and pull it down your waist so thoroughly that it pushes the fabric into you and holds it in place. But you’ll probably feel pretty uncomfortable trying this!

Instead, you may want to sew belt loops onto your pants if they require a belt.

How to tighten a belt

You can make a belt smaller by adding extra holes, moving the buckle, or decoratively knotting the end of the belt around your waist.

Adding extra holes for the belt tongue allows you to buckle the belt around your waist in a smaller circle. To do this, you can use special leather punches or a drill with a small drill bit attached. If you use the drill, make sure you have a work table or outside surface under the tape so you don’t drill into your floor or furniture!

You can also remove the buckle, cut off part of the belt, and then reattach the buckle to make the belt smaller. This process takes a little work, but you could end up with a brand new belt in a smaller size!

You will need a small screwdriver for this. Use the screwdriver to remove the two small screws that hold most belt buckles to the belt. Then measure how much you want to remove from the belt and cut off part of the leather or fabric.

You will need to use leather tools or a drill to put new holes in the newly cut end for the screws. Then simply reattach the buckle with the screws!

Finally, you can always wear a double-wrap belt around the waist for an interesting fashion statement, or tie the dangling ends together for a stylish look.

Conclusion

You can keep your pants unbelted in many simple and effective ways, including wearing suspenders, using safety pins to make a crease at the waistband, or paying a tailor to tailor the pants to your exact body shape.

You can also use various emergency rescue methods, such as: For example, tie a shoelace in the back belt loops to pull them together, or use a clothespin to gather excess fabric at the waist.

Have you ever dealt with baggy pants? How did you get her to stay awake? Leave a comment below to let us know!

Greetings, wildflowers!

Scarves are one of my absolute favorite accessories. Besides the obvious comfort of a warm, cozy scarf around your neck, they have so much to offer when it comes to sprucing up an outfit. With the variety of patterns and fabrics available when it comes to scarves, it basically goes without saying that you will find a scarf (or two) to add to your wardrobe. If we’re being honest, nobody can have “too many” scarves – everyone can add a different twist to the exact same outfit.

You may be thinking, “This summer heat is way too much for a scarf” or maybe “Uh… scarves are too stuffy for me.” Fear not! Here are 5 ways to jazz up your outfit with a scarf without wrapping it around your neck.

1. Make it a headband

Possibly one of my personal favorites, a scarf headband adds color to your face without disrupting the patterns on the clothes you wear too much. This factor makes it very easy to mix and match different prints and patterns without looking too busy.

To make your headband, fold your scarf until it’s about 4-5 inches wide (or whatever width you prefer); Then place the strip on your head and wrap it so that it meets the two ends at the back. Now tie the ends together to form a tight knot. And there you have it, a custom headband that no one else will have!

As you can see we had a lot of fun with this style!

2. Wrap it up

This style is perfect if you have a beautiful brooch, and it’s super easy to make. To make this beautiful wrap, open the scarf completely, wrap it around your bodice and connect both sides with the brooch.

3. Create a unique belt

Belting a scarf is a great way to make a simple pair of trousers or a dress extra special. To make this stylish belt, roll up the scarf lengthwise, wrap it around your waist and tie a knot to complete the look. An alternative to using a large scarf is to cut a medium-sized scarf in half and tie the pieces together to create a longer piece of fabric.

4. Spice up your handbag

Why not combine your favorite scarf and bag? Tie a scarf around the handle of a handbag and you’re done! This style is also perfect if you want to bring a scarf in case you get cold but don’t want to wear it around your neck all day.

5. Wear it as a skirt

We all have that one favorite pair of pants. This pair we’re not embarrassed to wear a few days a week just because they fit so well. This style is a great way to wear your favorite pants while making a unique statement. To make the skirt, simply fold the opposite corners of the scarf to create a triangular shape. Tie the scarf around your waist with the pointed edge down and tie the ends in a knot on one side. This style is a great look for a day at the beach or wherever the beautiful Florida weather takes you!

These are just five ways to wear a scarf, but there are so many more ideas to explore. The most important thing is to be open to trying new ways of wearing all kinds of accessories, even if it might feel unusual. With this attitude, your wardrobe will blossom with new individuality.

Share your favorite way to wear a scarf in the comments below!

-Makayla-