Belts

What is the history of the belt?

The first belts in the history of fashion date back to the Bronze Age, when prehistoric men and women wore the ancestor of the modern belt, a sort of leather knot whose purpose was to help keep their clothes in place and prevent them from being hindered in their movements. In fact, since prehistoric men and women dressed mainly in the skins of hunted animals, they needed sturdy belts to move around freely. During the Middle Ages, belts developed and became practical: field workers could hang their tools on them, craftsmen could go to their building sites carrying their most useful equipment on them... Adventurers took advantage of the opportunity to attach their compass or purse to their belt.

The use of belts for men and women fluctuated over time. During the First World War, belts became primarily a military accessory, designed to hold uniforms at the waist and highlight the muscularity and strength of officers and soldiers by emphasizing their busts and shoulders. Alternately feminine and masculine, civilian and military, belts hold a special place in women's wardrobes. During the 19th century, the art nouveau trend also took hold of fashion and the textile industry, with belts for court ladies and wealthy nobles made from precious stones. The industrial revolution, which pushed peasants into the cities, also encouraged them to adopt belts, which became more democratic and less expensive than before.

It wasn't until the 1920s that the belt we know today saw the light of day, made from materials other than leather. Little by little, belts became more diversified, in wool, with decorative ornaments, all distinctive signs for the women and men who wear them.

Whetherleather, wide, blinged-out or preppy, belts are a favorite accessory in French women's wardrobes. They embellish your outfits, finish off a look with style, reveal your uniqueness and help you cinch your waist!

Enhance your slightly wide, bohemian-chic dress with a thick leather belt with black buckle, a pair of santiag boots and a plain headband in your hair, perfect for a retro hippie look that's both comfortable and feminine. For everyday wear, you can also play around with the belts in your women's wardrobe, belting an oversized mid-length wool coat with high-waisted flared jeans and a turtleneck sweater, shaping your silhouette for a glamorous, feminine wasp-waist effect.

What are the basics when it comes to women's belts?

Theaccessory of choice for the trendiest it girls and girls next door during the summer season, the belt is an essential accessory for creating looks that are ready in minutes. We've fallen for the 2022 summer fashion trend of the belt bag, more chic and elegant than the fanny pack and more distinguished than the shoulder bag.

In winter, we're going for belts with character, vintage belts, with warm, autumnal copper colors to bring charm and style back to your outfit.

For a retro-chic look, opt for fringed belts with a short faux-fur down jacket.

For a stylish urban streetwear winter look, pair a double saddlebag belt with a mid-length, form-fitting sweater dress and a pair of flat lace-up ankle boots.

In spring, we're taking advantage of the trend for wide braided belts to create fresh, natural and feminine looks with ease. Pair a brown braided belt with a round buckle, an oversized white shirt and a pair of beige espadrilles with wedge heels.

You can also wear a round-buckle braided belt with a large floral kimono, a bandeau crop top and loose-fitting denim shorts for a feminine, casual chic look at an affordable price.

The braided belt is also a good ally for bending an oversized floral dress with a pair of flat lace-up sandals and a fedora hat for a relaxed, springtime, colorful look.

For an easy-to-wear preppy-chic look, pair a light, flowing little black dress with a wide black belt with gold buckle, a pair of flat lace-up sandals and a pretty headband.

For 0-shaped women who want to cinch in their waist without feeling oppressed or confined, opt for a double-buckle elastic belt that can be paired with a little oversized dress with butterfly sleeves