Manual of Style: Belts

Skinny: We're keen on lean, superlong belts wrapped haphazardly around the waist (not the hips!). Dress, $325, DKNY; belt, $155, The Jack Rabbit Collection.

"Belts are a spend-little/gain-lots way to adapt on outfit from one event to the next." -Marie Claire Fashion Director Tracy Taylor. Pattern belts: A striped or paisley belt looks right with white and solids but overdone with other patterns. Shirt, $99, pants, $99, Liz Claiborne; sunglasses, $350, Leyla by Oliver Peoples; belt, $48, Rampage Belts.

Anorak, $39.99, Proenza Schouler for Target; shirt, $68, shoes, $108, belt, $38, Banana Republic; jeans, $59, Levi's; ribbon scarf, $20, M&J Trimming.

What's sexier than a leather corset with a poetic blouse and tailored pants? Shirt, $64, Lucky Brand Jeans; skirt, $98, To The Max; gloves, $125, LaCrasia Gloves; belt, $235, The Jack Rabbit Collection; necklace, $500, Mauri Pioppo.

Dress, $88, BCBGirls; ribbon, $4.98, M&J Trimming; ring, $48, Allison Daniel Designs.

Rope: Nautical belts are meant to look laid-back. Wear slung low on your hips, never tightly cinched. Tank, $28, Banana Republic; shorts, $34, Dockers; belt, $32, Rampage.