Fate alone cannot hold up your thrifted jeans … that are three sizes too big. While we applaud your commitment to a baggy look, gravity remains undefeated. At some point, you will have to accept the truth: it’s time to invest in a belt. Don’t fret, because belts can easily take any outfit from sag to chic. We’re not talking about a plain, black strip of leather — we’re talking about belts that will do more than just hold up your jeans. And lucky for you, a world of belts that are loud, proud and funky is making a comeback.
At Paris Fashion Week, Dua Lipa was spotted wearing a pearl and chain belt with charms over her black dress, putting an elegant twist on the funky belt trend. Zendaya, who tends to be ahead of the curve, has rocked multiple waist-cinching belts on the red carpet. Even Harry Styles has brought out his fair share of cowboy buckles and Y2K-style belts during his Love on Tour shows.
On the casual side, celebrities like Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner have been spotted making low-rise denim and bold belts the centerpieces of their off-duty style. Whether it’s a chain belt worn low on the hips or a thick, leather strap cinching a blazer, funky belts are officially wardrobe essentials.
“Funky belts are definitely back in fashion, and I don’t see them going away anytime soon,” said Julia Hecht, a senior at the University of Miami who serves as Distraction Magazine’s What The Fork section editor.. “I thrifted a kind of chunky western-looking one that I wore with a lot of my outfits in Nashville this year, and I feel like it really elevated the look.”
While belts are mainly there to hold up your favorite pair of jeans, sometimes they don’t have to serve a functional purpose; they’re just there to serve. And that’s the beauty of the belt revival: it’s not about subtlety. In a recent sea of minimalist, monochrome and “quiet luxury,” belts are once again becoming an accessory that dares you to be different. Whether looped through the pants, slung low on the hips, or cinching in a flowy dress, a statement belt brings something new to the table.
“In my opinion, a belt is the best way to switch up an outfit,” said Kelsey Greer, a first-year student in the Business School. “It doesn’t even have to actually hold up your bottoms — it just adds a pop of color or shimmer to a boring outfit.”
“You can wear a plain black romper or dress and then add a statement belt,” said Catarina Whitaker, a senior in the School of Communication. “Then boom — a whole new outfit on top of a boring item of clothing.”
In today’s world of belts, we are seeing studded, sparkly, patent, metallic,denim-on-denim and more. This is especially true in an era where individuality and expression are driving people’s fashion choices. The rise of thrifting culture and sustainable fashion has pushed people to get more creative with their style, and belts are a low-cost and low-commitment way to stand out.
The trend is also heavily influenced by the resurgence of the Y2K phenomenon. Belt trends from the early 2000s are making a splash on social media platforms like TikTok and in everyday streetwear. If you don’t feel like digging through a thrift store, try digging through your mom’s closet, because vintage is in, and the funkier, the better.
“I feel like statement belts really set apart my outfits — honestly, all of my chunky and bold belts were my mom’s back in the day,” says Olivia Van Boche, a senior in the Business School. “I always love stealing them from her and matching them with my tops or colors of my fits for the day or night.”
If you’ve been looking at your outfit in the mirror and feeling like something is missing, chances are a belt might be the missing piece. There’s something nostalgic and even rebellious about bringing back these loud and chunky accessories. The possibilities are endless, and the “funk” of it all is very much intentional. These belts aren’t meant to be hiding beneath your top; they’re becoming the focal point, and they’re taking center stage.
“Anyone can throw on a pair of jeans,” said Juliana Warnock, a junior in the School of Communication. “But I love adding a chunky belt to amp up the look. I usually go with a chunky buckle, it makes a common outfit look more unique.”
So maybe in this instance, less is not, in fact, more. Sometimes, the bolder you go, the better. Fashion cycles always come full circle, and right now, bold belts are taking the spotlight once again. Belts are proving to be a timeless form of self-expression, and anyone can hop on the trend. So… it’s time to buckle up — literally.
words_darby steininger. photo_valeria barbaglio. design_sal puma & valeria barbaglio.
This article was published in Distraction’s Summer 2025 print issue.
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