The belt trend that’s fallen upon us the last year has definitely been favorable — a smart belt can turn a sack-like dress into a sex kitten frock, and can change up an evening look in the blink of an eye. Thicker belts around the middle are a fabulous accessory and still totally in, but keep your eyes peeled for an up and coming fall trend: the skinny belt over dresses and coats. Here’s what to look for when belt hunting…

Color coordinate with what you have.
Are you an earth-tone person, or do you wear a lot of black? What does your shoe selection look like? I own a pair of black tall boots, and mostly black heels, so I’m inclined to go with a belt that matches: a gray, silver, or black. Choose accordingly.

Is that the end of your belt, or are you just happy to see me?
Take a look at length options. Ideally a belt will fit the traditional way, on the low hip for slacks and suits, but will also have enough notches to cinch at the high waist. The more versatile the piece, the longer it will last in your eco-friendly closet. Make sure it has a loop to hold the tail end in order to avoid pesky belt leftovers from poking out everywhere.

To moo, or not to moo.
Buying leather is a personal decision — I’m in the camp with green LA girl who, when buying shoes, usually chooses a leather pair. “The alternative is pleather (icky vinyl) crap marketed as eco just because they don’t contain animal products,” she says. So true. In reality, neither leather (methane producing cows and a toxic tanning process) nor pleather (dioxin releasing PVC) is good for the environment. If you’re itching to buy new, try vegetable tanned leather or less toxic polyurethane pleather. The most eco-friendly choice is a belt that is of high quality, versatile, and second-hand/vintage.

Photo by: Marcio Madeira