This Trending Accessory Is 2025's Answer to Turbo-Boosting Jeans-and-a-Tee

Rather than trying to overhaul my wardrobe as we move into a new season, this time around I’m focusing on the small and mighty upgrades that pack a punch. Keeping an eye on the subtle yet impactful styling swaps fashion insiders are making right now, I’ve noticed a timeless yet highly relevant belt trend that’s quietly transforming everyday outfits. Western belts—those distinctive, often silver-buckled belts—have been cropping up on some of the most stylish dressers of late.

When I spotted Dua Lipa incorporating one into her off-duty look this week, I knew the trend had well and truly taken hold. Wearing a simple jeans-and-T-shirt ensemble, the singer added a single, striking detail that elevated her entire outfit: a bold Western belt. The effect? A casual yet intentional look that stopped me mid-scroll.

It’s this kind of styling magic that makes Western belts such a worthwhile wardrobe addition. They add an instant point of interest, bringing character to even the simplest outfits. And while the trend has ebbed and flowed over the years, Western belts have never truly disappeared from fashion’s periphery. They are, after all, a piece of sartorial history—available to be reinterpreted time and again by designers and stylists alike. What’s more, they’re incredibly easy to source second-hand. I, for one, have a pair inherited from my mum’s ‘80s collection that I reach for whenever my denim needs a little extra character.

Interestingly, while Western themes weren’t a key focus on this season’s runways—bar the fringing that’s been slowly seeping to the fore—its influence has continued to ripple through social media. Bella Hadid’s love of Western-inspired dressing is well documented via her Instagram page, which sees the model frequently partaking in equestrian sports and the wardrobe that comes with it. Meanwhile, the trend is being embraced in more understated ways by stylish dressers in Paris and New York, where Western belts are being threaded through denim loops or cinched over blazers and dresses for a polished yet effortless finish.

A rare trend that feels both directional and enduring, Western belts are exactly the kind of wardrobe addition I’ve been looking for this season. And, luckily, there are a plethora of chic options available right now. From Weekday’s subtle interpretation, the Khaite’s showstopping style, fashion labels have left us spoiled for choice.