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Written by Camila Reed in Clothing last updated October 2022 LiveLifeBig.net may earn a small commission when you use one of the links on this page to purchase. My husband and I could never find belts that felt or looked good, but since none of us wanted to expose our backsides to strangers we continued to wear them through gritted teeth. Eventually, I found myself avoiding any sort of pants that required a belt, but as a large girl, I also realized that most of my pants required one. Thankfully we have a great plus-size community of close friends to whom we did confess our hate of belts. Some of our friends nodded in agreement, while the rest simply told us that we were not wearing them right. So, this raised the following question: How do you wear a belt when you're fat? As a plus-size woman, depending on your body shape try wearing the belt around your waist or your hips, and as a man make sure the belt loop sits over your hip bones. Choose a belt in the right size and style so it fits your figure and you don't end up over-tightening it. If you want the support of a belt, but you also want to look good and feel comfortable while wearing one then you might want to read some of the tips my husband and I have gathered for all the plus-sized folks in need! Should You Wear A Belt If You’re Plus-Size? If belts aren't your thing you don't have to wear them, but it's important to understand that belts aren't simply a fashion accessory. If chosen correctly a belt can help your garments, whether that's a pair of jeans, or a dress fit you better. As a plus-size couple, the one thing my husband and I fear the most is the notorious "plumber's crack." Luckily with a good belt, we can squat or bend down and our pants won't move. A nice-looking belt can also compliment your outfit, you can use a belt to make a fashion statement, or simply complete your look and make yourself look presentable. Just look at MissJamima rocking that green oversized top and leggings and you know what brings the whole look together? That's right the belt! For full-figured and curvy women, belts can be ideal for visually cinching the waist. Regardless of your body shape, you can decide where you want your waistline to be with the help of a belt. I also want to add that if you usually tuck your shirt in your jeans a belt will not only help support your pants, but it will also make sure the tucked-in top won't move and it will also hide the lumps beneath the jeans that your shirt might create. How To Wear A Belt When You’re Fat? As a plus-size individual, it can be difficult to find the right belt and it can be even more difficult to know how to wear it so it looks good and comfy. So, let's find out how you can do it! Tip 1: Choose The Right Size When you're browsing for your next belt purchase you need to make sure you're not just getting a longer version of a "regular-sized" belt because while it might fit your dimensions it might not have what it takes to support your pants properly, or sit comfortably against your belly. As a plus-size man you can either shop at a plus-size store, or have a belt custom-made. A good quality belt that is made for your size will not simply make you forget that you are wearing a belt but there will also be less wear and tear so the right fitting belt will last you so much longer. I usually have a note app on my phone where I have my waistline and my hips measured so when I shop for a belt I know if it will actually fit me properly. Tips 2: Choose the Right Style When it comes to belt styles the woman's department has a huge variety, from soft sashes, wide buckle belts, and cinch belts to skinny leather belts and so much more that sits in between. Each belt can look great with a different outfit, and if you're a full-figured lady that loves dresses or skirts then a cinch belt can be a great way to actually accentuate the smallest part of your waist. However, while wider belts are usually more flattering on larger women, that doesn't mean you can't wear a tiny chain belt or a simple skinny leather belt. I love pinup-inspired skirts and dresses because they can be adorned with a skinny belt that doesn't add any additional bulk to your belly and waist instead it simply sinches that area visually. For men, it's more advisable to wear high-waist pants with the belt loop sitting over your hip bones. This is a great way to keep the belt in place and the pants from falling. Instead of going for a leather belt, you can go for an elastic belt or a belt with at least some elasticity that will provide enough tension against your belly without hurting you. Suspenders are also a great alternative to belts for plus-size men since they'll keep your pants in place, you will look classy and sophisticated and you'll have nothing digging into your belly. Tip 3: Choose The Right Color The color of your belt can help you compliment your outfit or draw attention to areas you would rather avoid showing off. Both for women and men a black leather belt can be a great option because it's an old-time classic and discreet color. Certain shades of brown can also work great as long as they don't create great contrast especially when it comes to a men's suit. For plus-size women, there are more colors to play with, but soft and dark browns are my favorite choices because they look good with jeans and earthy tones. But you can also use a belt to add a pop of color, just make sure it doesn't look out of place. Tip 4: Choose The Right Area To Wear It As a short woman belts have actually helped me manipulate my proportions and make my legs appear much longer compared to my heavy upper body. Wearing your belt around your waist is probably the most popular area, for me included because it actually adds definition to my bulky midsection and makes my torso appear more proportionate compared to the rest of my body. If you have a short torso then wearing your belt on your hips can actually help you achieve the same results and it could add some curves to your hip area. Belts are great because they allow you to play with your proportions and create the kind of body type you feel most comfortable in and your size doesn't have to get in the way of that. When it comes to men, high-waisted pants with the belt sitting on the hip bone are actually the best area because it keeps the pants in place while the belt sits comfortably under your belly which means it doesn't crush your belly button or it doesn't cause discomfort to that area. Tip 5: Don’t Over-Tighten Your Belt No matter what belt you end up getting I think my biggest advice is to not over-tighten your belt and if you feel like you have to otherwise your pants will fall off then you need to get a different belt! By overtightening your belt you simply end up squishing all the soft parts of your body and you will create more lumps that will bunch up below or above the belt. But let's forget about the word flattering for a second here, and just think how uncomfortable that feels. Most importantly it can be quite dangerous since according to Russell Yang, M.D., Ph.D. "a tight belt or waist also magnifies bowel discomfort and stomachaches." Tip 6: Avoid Over-Accessorizing Since the belt can often be the centerpiece of your outfit and it's there to draw more attention to the small of your waist or act as a subtle distraction then over-accessorizing can ruin the dynamic that you're trying to create with your outfit. Of course, I think each person is different and if you are a maximalist at heart then you might as well wear your chunky jewelry, and over-designed clothes! Why should full-figured women and men avoid claiming even more space? How To Wear A Belt With A Big Stomach? A belt can do a lot for your style and it can also flatter your body shape, but it can't work alone. Instead, your belt has to also match your clothes, and your clothes should in turn flatter your assets. Speaking from experience, I have a heavier upper body, my hips are more on the narrow side while my claves are also big and strong. My shape doesn't stop me from wearing various clothing styles, but I do gravitate towards looser tunic-like tops and soft loose pants. To avoid looking like I'm drowning in these soft layers I go for an obi belt. Obi belts are sash-type belts that you wrap around the waist from front to back with the ends brought forward to the front of the belt and you either tie it in a bow or some other elaborate way. I love obi belts because they're not bulky and they are soft and comfy to wear. I also want to add that as a woman you shouldn't have to hide behind a large belt and if the outfit supports it you can always wear a skinny leather belt that will help you define the waist area, especially if you have a belly and you want to balance the bust line and hips. Just like women should look at their whole outfit to pick the right belt, men should do the same thing. Most male belts have very simple designs, but this doesn't mean they are all the same. A big shiny buckle can dig into your stomach, but it can also draw too much attention to that area. Of course, you should also consider your comfort, and if leather belts seem to take your breath away and not in a good way then consider getting a belt with some elasticity to accommodate your belly area. My husband has a big belly and he often finds it difficult to fasten his belt since he can't actually see what he's doing and that has led to frustration and a few ripped leather belts. So, you might want to look for belts with a seatbelt-like fastening system. How To Size A Blet For Plus-Size People? If you're looking for a new belt but you're not sure what size will fit your body and sit comfortably around your belly area then you need to do some measurements. You could measure a good belt that you already own, but I would actually advise you to measure your waist where a belt would sit. Especially as a plus-size woman you are more likely to wear a belt in an area that is more unique to you. My husband often gets his belt tailored, and it's also useful to remember that leather belts can actually be trimmed to match your size. Aside from knowing the size of your waist or hip-line or whichever area you choose to wear your belt on, try to look for belts that are designed for plus-sized folks because that's where you can get a belt that not only fits you but can support you without digging into your flesh like a belt made for "regular-sized" guys and gals. Closing Thoughts Belts can be extremely uncomfortable and they can squeeze you at all the wrong places, creating unexpected and unwanted rolls. Thankfully it doesn't have to be like that, you can actually make belts look good on you regardless of your size and body type, while also having that needed support! Regardless of gender, hopefully, our 6 tips will help you choose the right belt, and give you the confidence to experiment with different types of belts on different areas of your voluptuous body!

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