You may have a snatched waist, but something is still missing. Enter the chunky belt. Straight out of the ’90s playbook, the maximalist accessory is back on the waists of fashion’s inner circle, with celebrities, luxury labels and runway regulars all tightening up on the trend.
Originally popularised alongside low-rise jeans and slip dresses, chunky belts were a defining accessory of ’90s fashion. Often featuring oversized buckles, bold hardware or colourful, durable materials, they evolved from the excess of the ’80s into statement styles such as chain belts, wide leather obi belts and casual webbed designs.
At the recently concluded Paris Haute Couture Week, the trend was hard to miss. Attendees at Schiaparelli’s show embraced the look, including jewellery entrepreneur Valentina Ferragni, who styled a two-toned, triple-layered belt adorned with intricately detailed gold buckles.
The revival extends well beyond couture week. Singer Olivia Rodrigo sported a textured brown belt with three hanging buckles in Miu Miu’s latest campaign, while Chloé sent models down the runway with oversized buckle belts in its Fall 2026 collection. Singer Charli XCX, meanwhile, cinched her waist with a black belt featuring an ornate silver buckle.
The trend has hit closer to home as well. Actor Krystal Dsouza recently showcased a Y2K-style wide disc belt while vacationing in Dubai, while entrepreneur Natasha Poonawalla opted for a statement belt with an oversized, keyhole-shaped gold buckle.
Maximal, nostalgic and unapologetically bold, the chunky belt is once again doing what it does best: making the waist the centre of attention.
Style it right
- Keep it balanced: Stylist Isha Bhansali says chunky belts work best when the rest of the look stays streamlined. Try Texas cowboy belts with loose or bell-bottom jeans for a Y2K-meets-Western vibe. For parties, metallic chain belts paired with monochrome outfits keep things sharp. In corporate settings, opt for a classic leather belt under a blazer and pleated trousers. For festivals, play with colour or layer two belts for a maximalist finish.
- Mind the placement: Stylist Anisha Gandhi warns against belting at the natural waist if you have a shorter torso, as it can cut the frame visually. Wearing it slightly lower on the hips works better. Taller or long-waisted silhouettes can be belted at the waist for clean proportions. Skip the matchy-matchy look, let the belt stand alone, and balance bold belts with clean lines and quality fabrics.
