The 4 Steps Of Cinching: The Super Easy New Micro Trend

Your know how on the new cinching trend, as seen at Burberry and Topshop Unique AW14. Belt up!

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by Pandora Sykes |
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A lot happened at the recent Burberry show - like Bradley Cooper snuggling with Anna Wintour and the emergence of the monogrammed shoulder blankets - so I'd forgive you for not noticing the micro trend that was in full swing throughout Christopher Bailey's AW14 collection.

Belts. Yes, belts. Or specifically, belted jackets and coats. It's spurred one of our favourite new micro trends. It's worth remembering that the simplest details are often the most ingenious. So here's your need to know on the micro trend that is - da da de daaaaah - cinching.

Cinch a blazer for an instant outfit changer

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A blazer + a pair of skinny jeans = not so fascinating. A belted blazer + a pair of skinny jeans? Whole new silhouette love. Try a big obi-style belt, as seen at Marc by Marc Jacobs (where thin sweaters were also belted) but make sure you go high-waisted. I try not to be too didactic about fashion, but trust us when we say that belts over blazers do not look good when they're worn low on the hips.

 

Lattice Corset Belt, £26 Topshop, Connie Cream Laser Cut Wide Belt, £79 Reiss.

Also, belt a shirt - just make sure it's long and then leave the tails loose

 

Just ask Laberiane Ponton whose belted chambray shirt - with the thin leather belt insouciantly wound over and over itself - was the highlight of our latest Instagram styling tips installment. Full disclosure: it's our new favourite thing to do. Keep the shirt long and boyishly oversized, it's a super flattering silhouette: emphasising the waist and flaring out over the hips.

 

Darla Braided Leather Belt, £115 Isabel Marant at Net-a-Porter, Snake Embossed Belt, £18 Topshop.

It's not just about buckled belts, either

 

Mix things up, people, like blogger and stylist Pernille. A fabric or braided belt, or a small silk scarf (think your dad's old neckerchiefs) tied in a rough knot high on the waist makes things look all artfully dishevelled, rather than neatly buckled. Let the wind blow through your hair! And around your newly Dita Von Teesed waist.

 

Uden Embroidered Belt, £45 Isabel Marant at Matches Fashion, Leopard Square Silk Scarf, £28 Oasis at ASOS.

Try out all belt sizes with a blazer, but avoid big coat + big belt

 

As seen at Topshop Unique if you've got a heavy wool coat, aim for a slightly slimmer belt so as to avoid overload. Taking a big belt and a big coat and pairing them together would be quite a Kardashian thing to do (i.e. OTT) and it's worth noting, always, that mere mortals cannot do what Kardashians can.

 

Metal Keeper Belt in Tan, £35 Whistles, Metal Panel Belt, £17.99 Mango.

Follow Pandora on Twitter @pinsykes

Pictures: Jason Lloyd-Evans, Getty

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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