Why I’m Here for the Return of Big Belt Buckles

The craze for Y2K fashion over the past few years has left many divided. While some were fully on board with the revival of trucker hats, low rise jeans, and bedazzled logo tees; Others were horrified at the thought of Juicy Couture tracksuits and dresses over jeans coming back into the fray. The decade’s trends may be polarizing, but at least they weren’t boring. Looking back at photos from the time period, I was struck by just how many stars wore one particular statement accessory on the red carpet: The big, bold belt. Preferably with a buckle so big you could see them from space. But guess what? They’re creeping their way back onto the runways, too. I’m fully on board with it. 

Now, as someone who grew up as a teenager in the aughts, I’ll admit that I always have a soft spot for the era’s fashions. The sleazy, gaudy aesthetic reminds me of simpler times when celebrities had fun with what they wore and didn’t take themselves too seriously. The honking belt buckle—frequently paired with low-slung jeans and baby tees—is a fun little treat for your outfit. One of my favorite examples is when Jennifer Lopez performed on TRL wearing a bejeweled heart belt buckle, paired with a bedazzled top and jeans. You can’t tell me it didn’t instantly tie her outfit together! See also: Stars like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and all three members of Destiny’s Child.

Today, these belts can feel a little too costume-y or retro. But as evidenced as the fall 2023 menswear shows this past month, there are ways to make them look cool and current. Just pair the belts with pieces that are more subdued, allowing the brazen accessory to shine on its own. Gucci’s new “GG” style elevated your classic tee and jeans pairing; Kenzo’s gold logo added a dash of fierceness to a utilitarian green ensemble. That’s not to say you can’t lean into a cheekier pairing, though: At Dsquared2, for instance, an “I Love Beer” belt was paired with a “Choke” tee—a riff on a Coca-Cola tee, of course.