On October 18, Bella Hadid stepped out in New York City with the full intention of making a fashion statement. It wasn’t the leather bomber jacket with a fur collar, the red knit turtleneck, the baggy light wash denim jeans or the pair of slick brown leather shoes that caught our attention. No, it was Bella Hadid’s not one, but two belts. Yes, two belts. (Talk about creative liberties!)
One belt, which was looped into the waistband of the pants as it is intended, boasted a gold buckle. The other belt, which was free-falling on the waist — hanging on by a punch hole and a prong — had silver hardware.
There are plenty of accessories that are ornamental. Jewelry, for one. Some hats. But the concept ventures into controversial territory when a functional piece like a belt becomes simply for show. In fact, the useless belt is one of the prime examples of noughties maximalism. You’d be hard-pressed to find a red carpet that didn’t feature a celebrity wearing a dress and a hulking, waist-cinching belt. On the more luxurious end, Chanel has long been churning out jangly chain belts made just to be worn.
These are in the same category as the “thin useless scarf.” In its essence, the scarf is made to be warm, but in its superfluous, thin-as-floss Y2K form, it became a flashy garnish instead.
As for Bella Hadid’s double belts, they’re not bauble-packed or covered with logos from a French house. Instead, they’re simple and standard leather belts with simple and standard buckles. I’m both confused and amused. And that’s the point.