I’ve been a big fan of belted waists since I was pregnant with my first child. I wore a wide belt with a plain black dress, as to proudly show off my full belly. Since then, I’ve never stopped wearing belts. I’m not talking just a belt with your pants, though. Belts have come a long way in the fashion world–it seems to me that almost every outfit is better with a belt!

Belt your dresses! Belts takes any dress up a notch and gives it edge. Here’s a belted dress look I love on Ellen Page. It’s a simple shift dress, made sophisticated with a rock n roll edge with a shrunken leather jacket and belt. Nipping in your waist gives the illusion of an hourglass figure and works with so many dresses of all styles.

Here’s another look worn by Cameron Diaz, it’s a sweet, sophisticated white dress made sleek with a red patent leather belt and heels. The red belt makes the dress absolutely pop.

Belt your tops! Now that we’ve seen a couple of belted dresses, let’s check out a couple possibilities for belting a top. I love to wear skinny belts with a button down top with a pencil skirt or trousers for a more businesslike, yet ladylike, look. This photo of Michelle Trachtenberg shows a few trends, including a belted blouse, a boyfriend blazer and leggings. She looks modern, yet light in this stylish look.

This is a look I love for a longer top, such as a tunic. Take a wide belt on a longer tunic and wear it low-slung over your hips. It makes the outfit.  Neve Campbell wears the top as a mini dress, but you can also pair it with leggings and flats, boots or heels to wear it as a top.

Belt your coats! Lastly, take a look at another option for your overcoat. This season, the trench coat is super hot. Pair it with a belt and it’s even better. I know that trench coats always come with the standard belt–time to think outside the box and create a super stylish look with a belt.