Beyond Just A Belt, This Piece Makes Dressing Fun Again
Beyond Just A Belt, This Piece Makes Dressing Fun Again
Roxanne AdamiyattMon, April 27, 2026 at 7:28 PM UTC
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In Search of Whimsy? Just Add a BeltPhotography by Florence Sullivan
Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.
As far as accessories go, belts are some of the oldest we have around. Even in the Bronze Age, they were said to be a functional essential, and centuries later they became a status symbol in the ancient civilizations of Rome and Egypt. For something that has been functional and fashionable for hundreds of years then, it is somewhat surprising that I very seldom feel the need to add a belt.
I’d say that it’s the one accessory that I’ve never really truly felt the need to invest in. Mostly I just take my mom’s hand-me-downs. But upon the launch of Jonathan Anderson’s first ready-to-wear collection for Dior, spring 2026, I found my mind wandering back to the Médaillon Belt, with its 18th-century rococo styling. The aforementioned artistic movement, is known for its lighthearted and playful presentation, a turn away from the rigid and heavy, towards ornamentation and twisting curves as well as asymmetry, and a pastel palette. The collection, replete with Enlightenment Era visual references, could not be perfectly timed for the whimsy resurgence.
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The belt itself is the perfect union of simple design, neither chunky nor slim, which really maximizes its use and function in a wide range of attire, but it’s the belt buckle, whose face is simply ornamented in the rococo style, with a twisting bow at the top, which makes this piece a daily driver and a collector’s item all in one. It’s simple yet feminine, infusing an almost flirtatious quality to any ensemble. If it was considered au courant in the 18th century for women’s dress for their accessories to add to the exuberant elegance of the era, in 2026 it adds a hint of opulence and extravagance to the otherwise quotidian all without screaming it at you.
I’d also note that while each belt comes in a few colorways, whether the leather strap or the belt buckle, the simplicity of the design also makes for a piece that looks textured and dimensional when paired and layered. No matter how you style it, the Médaillon is a winner. And if my endorsement is not proof, whether on display or in passing, nearly everyone I have come into contact with has said something to the effect of, “you’re really selling me on that belt.” I’ll take fanciful charm in my accessories every day of the week, especially when the look calls for a belt.
Photography by Florence Sullivan.
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