How to Complete Your Look with Belt & Sling Bags
By Tess DiNapoli
Belt bags, or sling bags, have experienced a huge comeback within the past few years. If you’ve been thinking about adding this new “it bag” into your regular rotation, you’re going to need to know how to style them first. That’s often easier said than done because these versatile bags come in a variety of colors and styles and can be worn in tons of different ways, from over your shoulder to around your waist. So how do you complete your look with belt and sling bags?
Accentuate Your Waist
Belt bags are called belt bags for a reason – they can be worn around your waist, just like a belt. It’s where style meets function! Rather than grabbing a belt the next time you wear a baggy jumpsuit or oversized button-down shirt, or sweater dress, complete your look with a belt bag. It gives you a stylish, minimalist vibe and creates the same cinched-waist effect you’d get from a belt. Finish it off with knee-high boots or a pair of heels, and you’re ready to go!
Go the Classic Route with Jeans and a Tee
When it comes to styling a belt or sling bag, you can never go wrong with classic jeans and a t-shirt. Perfect for casual, everyday outings, any color, style, or print you choose will complement this pairing. Wear your belt bag as a crossbody and add a blazer for an elevated, modern feel. For the ultimate casual look, secure your belt bag around your waist outside of the loops of your jeans or at your natural waist, then finish it off with a great pair of sneakers.
Shop the jeans
Get the perfect pair of jeans to pair with your sling bag!
Make a Statement
Sure, neutral-colored belt bags are timeless must-haves, but sometimes you want to be bold and make a statement. This is your opportunity to express your one-of-a-kind style. Play around with color, prints, patterns, textures, and materials to make your bag the focal point. You could brighten up a monochromatic look or even elevate your classic jeans and a tee with a bag with a fun finish like studs.
Add to Your Athleisure/Street Style
With its casual style and hands-free capabilities, the sling bag was practically made to be athleisure’s perfect companion. Styling your sweatsuit or tennis skirt and a tee and a cute nylon sling bag as a backpack or around your waist will become your new go-to outfit for laid-back weekend days. Besides getting to carry way more than you would in the pockets of your activewear, you get to show off your effortlessly cool (and comfortable!) street style.
Tennis skirt for the win
Pair your sling bag with the perfect tennis skirt!
Polish Up Perfectly
Belt and sling bags aren’t just for styling streetwear. In a material like faux leather, a belt bag can be surprisingly versatile with styling, taking you from weekend errands to workdays in the office. Wear your bag crossbody style with a chic skirt set, a linen suit, or with button-down and pleated trousers to complete your dressed-up, polished look. You could even wear it with your fun holiday party outfit to keep you hands-free for dancing the night away!
Trousers to polish up
Get these trousers to nail the perfect polished look for your sling bag!
Find a Cool Weather Companion
Don’t ditch your belt or sling bag just because it’s chilly outside! Belt bags and winter layers go together perfectly! For a cute and sporty look, wear your bag as a crossbody under your puffer jacket, jean jacket, or coat. Functional and practical, the bag will comfortably keep all of your essentials close while providing you with a stylish contrast of fit and form.
Versatile and stylish, belt bags are the bag trend that’s not going anywhere any time soon. Play around with your style and pay attention to the shape, texture, and proportion of your bag, and you’ll be able to wear belt and sling bags with everything in your closet, whether it’s your casual athleisure or your favorite little black dress.