Belts: 2007 Key Retail Trends

• Always a cyclical classification, belts had a tough year (even tougher the first half), particularly at the more moderate end. Retailers were overassorted with the wrong styles, particularly at opening pricepoints. An over $60 pricepoint performed best, offering added value with better materials and styles.



• Tied tightly to fashion trends, belts got hurt by the year’s voluminous dresses (that didn’t need a belt) and longer, flowy babydoll tops (that covered belts up completely).



• Retailers reported double-digit dips, complaining that belts were not a key item in the overall scheme of fashion.



• While fashion magazines as well as retailers showed how to use belts to pull dresses and voluminous tops in at the waist, consumers didn’t respond to this trend as much as hoped. (Unlike other more one-size-fits-all accessories, belts don’t flatter the average-sized American woman the way they do models, and women don’t always adapt these trends as their own.)



• Luxury belts, however, had a strong year. Featuring high-end materials, runway-inspired belts gave consumers a reason to buy, and at this high-fashion tier, retailers reported little price resistance.



• Exotic skins did well at the luxury level, including hair calf, leopard and other animal prints. In many cases, genuine python for Spring ’08 will be used in mixed media combinations (due to cost).



• Elastic stretch belts—a strong fashion look with little leather—got hurt at the higher end as they were so easily (and readily) produced at the low end. Styles with ruched leather overlay did well, offering more value with better materials.



• Widths polarized, with very narrow and very wide performing best. The 1 ½ to 2-inch belt was a strong seller, as was the ½ inch to 1-inch skinny belt. Candy colored skinny belts—often in slick patent leather—sold very well, adding a pop of color to a slim silhouette.



• Sleek looks grew in popularity, such as clean plaque buckle styles shown on the runway in expensive leathers.



• Patent leather also added sleekness without embellishment, often in pops of bold, primary colors.



• Metallics sold well in both silver and gold interpretations. Mirror shine was the newest take on metallics.



• Leather-covered buckles—particularly picture frame buckles—created a sleek look and performed well as a detail. Center bar buckles also sold well, as did D-ring closures.



• Chain belts performed solidly in the spring, with multistrand chains mixed with pearl or stones. Soft leather sashes also did well.



• Belt bags and belts with attached coin purses created a fresh twist on the once-popular “fanny pack,” crossing over between a handbag and a belt.
  
  Big chunky stones (faceted and cabochon) were am important embellishment, with opaque faceted stones trending.
  
  Reversible belts offered consumers versatility and more bang for their buck.