Belts are an accessory that can add interest and detail to your outfit. They can add definition or highlight your waist or hips (depending where you're wearing them). But they can also draw an unflattering horizontal line (which is broadening as I've explained in the illusion of horizontal lines here) if you already have a broad torso.
On the whole, fabric tie belts are the wort offenders at making a waist look broader if you don't naturally have a very small and tapered waist.
What to Wear Instead of a Fabric Tie Belt
You can see how the tie belt really doesn't draw in the fabric to create a waist vs the wider elastic belt does help to draw in the cardigan and create a waist.
I've found that narrow belts aren't as good at creating a waist on an H shape as compared to wider belts (at least 2.5″ or 6cm wide or wider).
Narrow belts work when the bottom is straight (like a pencil skirt) and the top is more voluminous (like a blouse).
Wide belts work much better over most other garments when cinching to create waist definition if you are an H or V, I or 8 Shape.
Tie belts that come with garments - on the whole, throw them out and replace them with another belt (plus, you can change the look up with different colour and styles of belts too!).
Get some more tips for belting when you don't have a naturally defined waist here.
Belting when you have a short waist - tips here.
My guide on how to choose a belt.Not sure your shape? Do my body shape calculator quiz here and get your free body shape bible full of tips to flatter your figure.
