Autumn style starts at the waist | Autumn belt coordinates, how to switch up materials and colors
You change your shirt,
put on a jacket,
but something still feels summery.
Autumn styling can be difficult
when you try to change it from the top down.
The reason usually lies around the waist.
What you want to rethink for your autumn belt coordination are material and color.
By simply switching these two,
you can keep your existing clothes and still shift the season of your outfit.
Before September arrives,
why not reconsider the belt around your waist?
In September, the focal point of your outfit changes.
Autumn attire means
more fabric, lower color saturation, and light hitting at an angle.
Summer was defined by lightness.
Thin fabrics, bright colors, textures close to bare skin.
In September,
thickness is added.
Fabrics become denser,
colors become slightly subdued,
and the way shadows fall changes.
At this time,
only the summer belt remains light and out of place.
The reason why an outfit still looks "summery"
is usually found there.
Replacing a summer belt
Replacing means
not buying more, but changing the belt you wear.
There's no need to buy a new belt for autumn.
However, when you change your wardrobe for the season,
just swap out the belt you keep at the front of your closet.
That alone
will change your choices every morning.
The belt
might be the accessory you see the least throughout your day.
That's precisely why,
if you don't consciously change it,
you'll end up wearing the same belt all year round.
▶ Read How many belts do you need to enjoy?
Switching materials
What suits autumn
are materials that absorb light, not reflect it.
Smooth leather
has a flat surface that reflects light.
Its clear outlines make an outfit look sharp.
Suede
has a brushed surface that diffuses light,
softening outlines.
Even with the same color,
suede appears half a shade darker and softer, which is why.
From September to October,
this subdued quality
blends well with thicker outfits.
Mesh
creates small shadows between its weave.
The three-dimensional feel that solid leather lacks
adds a subtle expression to autumn outfits, which tend to have more solid colors.
Switching colors
What works for autumn is any color other than black.
Black can be used all year round.
However,
because the overall saturation of autumn outfits decreases,
black tends to stand out as the strongest color.
Chocolate.
Brown.
Navy.
These intermediate colors
blend into the overall tone of the outfit,
quietly indicating the position of the waist.
When in doubt, use your shoes as a guide.
Choosing a shade similar to or slightly lighter than your shoes
will naturally balance the top and bottom.
Three belts that blend into autumn
Here are three belts where both material and color change.
Suede Leather Western Belt W05｜20/30mm
A belt whose brushed texture softens your outfit.
With a Dual Width construction of 20mm at the front and 30mm from the sides to the back,
the front looks neat while providing stability around the waist.
Available in navy, brown, and black.
¥25,300 (tax included)
Cow Leather Western Mesh Belt LASTRA W08 (GOLD)｜25mm
Leather mesh woven one by one by Tuscan artisans.
The three metal fittings—buckle, keeper, and tip—
quietly add depth.
Since the pin goes through the weave to fasten, the fastening position is free.
Available in black and chocolate.
¥27,500 (tax included)
Smooth Leather Belt ARCO (GOLD)｜25mm
ARCO means "bow" or "arch" in Italian.
True to its name, the gently curving buckle
softens the impression of the waist area, which can tend to be linear.
Nubuck is used for the reverse side of the leather.
Available in chocolate and black.
¥24,200 (tax included)
Recommended for those who:
✓ Want to change the season of their outfit without changing their clothes
✓ Wear the same belt all year round
✓ Don't own any belts other than black
✓ Find their autumn/winter outfits look a bit heavy
In autumn,
it's sometimes faster to change from the center
than from the top.
By simply changing the belt around your waist,
the same clothes as yesterday
can look like they belong to a different season.
Start this autumn
with such a small update.
See related pages
▶ Read How many belts do you need to enjoy?
FATTORIA del CUOIO
Made in Italy, from Monsummano Terme.
Italian craftsmanship, refined through Japanese sensibility.
