Belt It Out: The '60s Evening Belt

There’s a reason why the 1960s are called the ‘swinging sixties’. Those were the years of rebellion against the status quo, when post-war austerity gave way to fun-loving hedonism and the second wave of feminism swept across the globe. It was also the decade in which the sartorial rulebook was given a major overhaul: no skirt was too short and no beehive too high, while geometric prints, culottes, mini dresses, and boxy silhouettes burst onto the fashion scene.

With such an impact, it’s small wonder that every season some style element from the ‘60s is referenced, both on and off the catwalk. For Fall/Winter 2019, it’s the evening belt that gets the retro revival treatment. More fashion than function, the belt is meant for decoration rather than holding your trousers up. It’s usually made of metal (often chains) and precious stones, and worn slung low over the hips.

This season, the evening belt is given a fresh look with new embellishments and clever styling. At Versace, a fine strand of gold links adorned the waist of a black satin dress, from which dangled the letter ‘V’. Blinged out gilt chains created a drop waist effect at Moschino, while Marni and Gabriela Hearst saw the belt cinching blazers and coats, the latter in the form of a triple row of golden coins.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best pieces you’ll want to add to your wardrobe. Wear the style over pretty much any outfit, or pair with a bikini for maximum effect.