Belt loops on a dress or kameez: thread or fabric?

Thread loops and fabric loops compared

Both do the same job, holding the belt at a set height, but they look and wear differently.

• Thread loops are a few strands of thread laid between two points and covered in close blanket stitch, or a crocheted chain of thread. They are almost invisible and flexible, which suits tie belts on crepe, lawn and chiffon dresses. A heavy belt tugged through them can snap one, though they are quick to replace by hand.
• Fabric loops are narrow strips or tubes of the garment fabric, stitched down at the top and bottom. They are sturdy, take a wide or stiff belt, and become part of the design. On very fine cloth a fabric loop can drag the fabric around it if the belt is heavy.
• Belt carriers on trousers are the same idea as fabric loops, usually five to seven round the waistband, and are built to take a leather belt.

Where the loops should sit

A loop should straddle the line where you want the belt to rest, usually your natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso. Some people prefer a belt a little higher, under the bust, or lower, on the hip; the loops follow that choice, not a standard chart. Each loop should be slightly longer than the belt is wide, enough for the belt to slide through but not to climb.

On a dress, a loop at each side seam is common. With a wide belt, or on a long kameez or tunic, two extra loops at the back stop the belt from sagging or rising behind you.

Why a belt keeps riding up

If you have owned a belted dress that never behaved, one of these is usually the reason:

• The loops sit above your waist, because the dress was cut to a size chart’s body length rather than yours.
• The loops are too long, so the belt has room to travel.
• There are loops only at the sides, so the back floats free.
• The belt is wider than the hollow of your waist and climbs to the narrowest point.
• The fabric is slippery or stretchy and moves under the belt.

Giving the position when you order

Tie a piece of string or narrow elastic round your middle where you want the belt, then bend from side to side so it settles. Measure from the top of your shoulder, beside the neck, down the front to the string, and from the bone at the base of the back of your neck down to the string at the back. Add the width of the belt you will wear, or say if you want a matching tie made from the dress fabric. Our guide on how to measure for a made-to-measure dress and the size guide cover the other measurements.

Belted kameez and dresses are things to describe or send a photo of. Through Send Your Design you can start with your design, mention the loop type and position in your notes, and we confirm what is possible on your fabric in the written quote. For styling ideas, see how to style a shirt dress, and if you wear abayas, belted abaya styles covers ties and belts on longer pieces.