One belt. A whole lot of swing.
Quick answer: A fringe belt is a belt with long strands of leather, suede, cord, chain or satin hanging from it, worn at the waist or slung low on the hip. Wear it over a plain base like a white shirt and wide trousers, straight jeans or a slip dress, and let the fringe do the talking. Shop 14 of our favourites below, from designer to under $100.
Street style, New York
The accessory that moves when you do
Some accessories sit still and look pretty. The fringe belt dances.
Every step, every turn, every reach for your drink sends it swinging. It turns a white shirt and trousers into an outfit people remember.
And right now it is everywhere. Copenhagen, Milan and New York street style. The runways at Rachel Comey, Dilara Findikoglu and LoveShackFancy. Labels from Bogotá to London. The fringe belt has gone from festival field to front row, and it looks very good there.
Street style, Copenhagen
Key takeaways
- The fringe belt is the easiest way to give a simple outfit movement, texture and personality.
- It comes in every mood: long leather strands, raffia, cord, chain, satin sashes and tinsel.
- Wear it at the waist to sharpen tailoring, or low on the hip over jeans and trousers.
- Keep everything else simple. The fringe is the main event.
- There is a great one at every price, from $99.95 to designer.
What is a fringe belt?
A belt with fringe hanging from it. That is the whole idea, and it is a brilliant one.
Some are skinny straps with a short flick of fringe at the front. Some are wide leather panels with strands that fall to the knee. Some tie like a scarf and finish in long silky tassels. A few are basically a skirt you buckle on over your trousers.
Some accessories sit still and look pretty. The fringe belt dances.
Why is everyone wearing a fringe belt right now?
Because it changes an outfit without changing the outfit.
Your favourite white shirt. Your best wide trousers. The jeans you live in. Add a fringe belt and the whole look suddenly has a point of view.
It also works for every kind of dresser. The minimalist gets one sharp black line of fringe. The romantic gets raffia and cream cord. The rock girl gets chains and studs.
Which fringe belt style should you choose?
Long leather fringe
The headline act. Black leather strands that fall past the hip and swing with every step. Wear it over trousers in the same colour for a long, lean line that looks seriously chic.
Nedbas, Belt Syrene with Fringe, black, approx $418 AUD (US$275)
Short, sharp fringe at the waist
A neat belt with a flutter of fringe at the front. It cinches a blazer beautifully and gives tailoring a playful kick.
Amarante, Wild West, tobacco, approx $416 AUD (COP 1,095,000)
Raffia and woven fringe
Sun, sea and a long lunch, in belt form. Raffia fringe on tan leather is made for linen trousers and a crochet top.
Amarante, Cala Luna, honey, approx $375 AUD (COP 986,000)
Scarf belts and fringed sashes
The softest way in. A silky or knitted scarf with long fringed ends, tied at the hip and left to trail. Effortless in the most literal sense.
Street style, Copenhagen
Street style, Copenhagen
Street style, Milan
Leau, Signature Satin Tassel Scarf, black
Street style, Copenhagen
Western and suede
Studs, silver buckles and suede fringe. Worn with clean denim and a crisp shirt, it feels cool and modern, not costume.
Street style, New York
Chain, beads and shine
For nights out. Chain fringe, beaded strands and metallic tinsel catch the light every time you move. Pair with black and let it glow.
How do you wear a fringe belt?
- Start plain. A white shirt, a black knit, a simple tee. The fringe needs a quiet backdrop.
- Go tonal for chic. Black fringe over black trousers, cream over white. Long, lean and very elegant.
- Go contrast for fun. Black fringe on white trousers, red fringe on blue denim.
- Pick your height. At the waist over a blazer for shape. Low on the hip over jeans for swagger.
- Keep the bag and jewellery simple. One statement at a time.
- Wide or straight legs work best. They give the fringe room to move.
Nedbas, Belt Fringe Avelot, milky white, approx $456 AUD (US$300)
A fringe belt changes an outfit without changing the outfit.
Shop the fringe belt edit
14 fringe belts, listed from highest to lowest price. Tap any image or name to shop. All prices in AUD, converted where the brand sells in another currency.
Designer
Etro, Braided Metal Belt with Tassels, gold, $2,787 AUD: a fine braided gold belt that knots like a sash and ends in two long metal tassels. Jewellery you wear at the waist.
Alaïa, Tassel Bustier Belt in Calfskin, black, $1,810 AUD: a sculpted calfskin bustier belt finished with a braided cord and two swinging tassels. Pure Alaïa shape.
Le Sundial, Vesper Tassel-Detailed Grosgrain Belt, black, $780 AUD: a braided grosgrain belt with long ties that end in neat little tassels. Polished and pretty.
St Agni, Fringe Belt Skirt, black, $729 AUD: a leather panel with knee-length fringe that buckles over trousers. The most directional piece in the edit.
High street
Patrizia Pepe, Fabric Fringe Wrap Belt, warm ivory, $446 AUD: a soft wrap sash with fringed ends, made in Italy. Tie it at the hip and let it trail.
Ulla Johnson, Tassel Belt, sierra, approx $441 AUD (US$290): a brown leather rope belt with suede tassels. Gorgeous over a flowing dress.
Free People, Understated Leather Heart Em Skirt Belt, black, approx $426 AUD (US$280): black suede, silver western buckles and studs, with fringe all the way round. Choose black on the page.
Nedbas, Belt Syrene with Fringe, black, approx $418 AUD (US$275): a wide handmade leather belt with one long cascade of fringe falling down the side. Very striking with wide trousers.
Amarante, Wild West, black, approx $416 AUD (COP 1,095,000): a slim leather belt with two tiers of fringe at the front. Made in Colombia and made for a blazer.
Karl Lagerfeld, K/Autograph Fringe Belt, black, $379 AUD: a skinny leather belt with a curtain of long fringe. Sleek, dramatic and very easy to wear.
POSSE, Tassel Belt, cream, $150 AUD: a slender cord tie belt with fluid tassels at each end. Lovely over linen.
Contemporary
mare di latte, Andria Tassel-Detail Belt, black, $130 AUD: a wide cotton wrap belt with a tie front and tassel detail. Soft, simple and very wearable.
Zara, 100% Leather Fringed Skirt Belt, brown, $119 AUD: a leather skirt belt with contrast studs, a fringed hem and an etched buckle set with a stone.
DECJUBA, Lara Leather Fringe Belt, black, $99.95 AUD: real leather with gold hardware and around 62cm of fringe. A lot of drama for under $100.
The final word
The fringe belt is joy you can wear. It moves, it catches the light and it makes the simplest outfit feel like a choice.
Pick your mood. Long and black, short and tan, silky, studded or shimmering.
Then buckle up and go for a walk. You will see.
FAQs
What do you wear with a fringe belt?
Keep the rest of the outfit simple. A white shirt with wide trousers, a black knit with straight jeans, or a slip dress all let the fringe stand out.
Where should a fringe belt sit?
At the natural waist to shape a blazer or dress, or low on the hip over jeans and trousers for a more relaxed look.
Can you wear a fringe belt over a dress?
Yes. A fringe belt over a flowing dress or a slip dress adds shape and movement. Choose a slimmer belt with shorter fringe for a softer look.
Is a fringe belt only for western style?
Not at all. Fringe belts now come in leather, raffia, cord, satin, chain and beads, so they work with tailoring, denim, minimal outfits and evening wear.
Where can I buy a fringe belt in Australia?
Australian labels like St Agni, POSSE and DECJUBA sell locally in AUD, and NET-A-PORTER, Farfetch and Zara all ship to Australia. Every belt in this edit links straight to the product page.
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