Elinor Block
If there's one brand that has been inescapable over the past few years, it's Gucci darling. Since 2015, under the original creative direction of Alessandro Michele, the brand has become one of the hottest fashion houses around. Thanks to Alessandro's exciting and fresh vision, countless other designers and high-street brands followed the "edgy grandma from the '70s" trend, but the real secret of the fashion house's success lies in its accessibility. While some opt to wear the brand's statement sunglasses, others dip a toe in with a bag or a pair of shoes. But one of the easiest ways to get the Gucci look? The now-iconic double-G Gucci belt.
Alessandro and Gucci may have since parted ways, but the GG belt is his legacy, channelling a cool but goes-with-everything-in-your-wardrobe appeal that makes it a must for both diehard fashion lovers and your mum. To keep it interesting, the brand has reimagined the GG belts in different ways—from the classic black, brown and white offerings to embellished styles that will sate the more flamboyant dressers' fashion appetites, and the A-list are following suit too.
Dakota Johnson dresses up a casual cardigan and jeans with the skinny Gucci belt.
I remember initially seeing the GG belt cropping up on Net-A-Porter in the late 2000s (and I'm sure they were a thing well before that), but the instant sell out success of the humble monogrammed belt was my first introduction to the cult piece. Subsequently, Gucci belts were resurrected by Michele back in 2015, paired with matching jackets or worn on low-slung trousers, and the combo still looks good even nine years later—not an easy feat when contending with fashion's constantly changing trends.
Elsa Hosk balances oversized tailoring and baggy jeans by cinching the waist with a Gucci belt.
Street stylers were also quick to pick up on the appeal of the belt (and I've personally lost count of the number of times I've seen it out and about at fashion weeks). But deciding exactly how to style a Gucci belt is down to you. Thankfully, it’s pretty simple to incorporate one into your outfits. To prove just how easy it is to wear, I've styled up three versions of the belt—one thin, one medium and one wide, and annotated why I think it works in that particular way. So, whether you already own a Gucci belt or are thinking of making the investment, follow my guide for maximum wearability and inspiration.
Keep scrolling to see how to wear the cult item, and then shop my edit of the best Gucci GG belts below.
1. HOW TO STYLE THE THIN GUCCI BELT
Style Notes: My personal preference for styling a thin belt is to pair it with a knit. I love the contrast between something heavy and lighter accessories, and inspired by Dakota's high/low styling, I'm pairing the embossed skinny belt with a cardigan and jeans for autumn. Naturally, it also works equally well with high-waisted trousers, which often look best with thinner belt styles.
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2. HOW TO STYLE THE MEDIUM GUCCI BELT
Style Notes: The medium-sized belts from Gucci are often seen worn with jeans, and I'm definitely all for that as an everyday kind of look. But if you want to make it feel a little more fun and maybe even fancy? Add it to your favourite dress. While I've opted to colour-match with a white belt and white dress, there's no reason you couldn't make it a black belt and clash it with a floral dress, or choose an embellished option to breathe a new lease of life into your trusty (if not tired) little black dress.
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3. HOW TO STYLE THE WIDE GUCCI BELT
Style Notes: I've seen a lot of street stylers wearing theirs cinched around a blazer, and if you'd ever wondered if it'd look as good for you? Spoiler: It will. It's ideal for those who love an oversized blazer but don't want to feel drowned in it, and makes an exceptionally chic desk-to-dinner option. In fact, I would be tempted to try this belt over a jumper dress, too.
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SHOP MY EDIT OF THE BEST GUCCI BELTS
I like the textured take on the double-G emblem.
The monogramming makes this feel even more classic.
Such a beautiful colour combination.
A great Gucci belt starting point.
Or if you prefer tan.
How chic would this look layered over a slouchy cardigan or white shirt?
This shade of blue is so premium-looking.
Wear with shades of burgundy and cream.
Wow, wow, wow!
I’m really feeling the cream and gold combination.
Embellished with crystals, this Gucci belt feels particularly on-trend.
Another showstopper to pep up your wardrobe basics with.
You can never go wrong with a chain belt.
A subtle alternative.
The more Gs, the better!
A subtle take on the Gucci GG belt.
If classic pieces are more you.
Although gold seems to be the hardware of choice, there’s no denying that the silver iterations look just as sleek.
A wise investment.
A red belt will help lift your darker clothes.
Next Up, European Women Know How to Look Polished—11 Chic Outfits They're Relying On This Season
This piece was published at an earlier time and has been updated.
