Chain Belts Are Making A Comeback That Nobody Saw Coming

The SS20 shows proved that the 90s is fashion's favourite decade for next season – but you can wear one of the biggest breakout trends right now.

Chanel belt chain

by Lillian Sesiguzel |
Updated on

When you think of chain belts, you may think of Gwen Stefani in her No Doubt days or excellent girl bands like All Saints. Either way, they're a distinctly 90s phenomenon and one that's currently – thanks to fashion's new preoccupation with the decade – firmly back on the radar.

In the early 90s chain belts dominated the catwalk, with every major fashion house including them in their collections. Under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel developed its classic chain belts to become louder, amplifying shapes and even opting for plastic versions. This playful touch stood out among brands like Versace and YSL, as they both championed their signature designs: Versace layering gold and coin detailing, YSL keeping it chic and cinching in waistlines.

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90's Runway: Chain Belts

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Versace Spring Summer 1992

Coin chain belt, designed by Gianni Versace.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Chanel Spring Summer 1992

A white plastic chain belt, against a pair of cut-off canary yellow shorts, designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

YSL Autumn Winter 1992

90s supermodel Veronica Webb wears a gold chain belt, paired with layers of chain necklaces, designed by Yves Saint Laurent.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Chanel Spring Summer 1991

Linked hoop chain belt, designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

SS20 saw most houses still playing it safe, with Burberry and Celine both accessorising looks with a subtle chain belt, designed to create romantic silhouettes. It wasn't just the powerhouses, either – the breakthrough acts were embracing the 90s more than ever. London based designers Fyodor Podgorny and Golan Frydman of FYODOR GOLAN, created chain belts that were tougher and nodded to ‘90’s music scene influences.’ The duo said: ‘We wanted to explore the identifying elements of rock & roll, punk, Neo-romantics, goths, hippie and see how in our modern environment our girl would pick and choose her influences identifying with a range of visual stimulants and create a look that is neither belonging nor an outsider – self expression at its best.’

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SS20 Runway: Chain Belts

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CREDIT: FYODOR GOLAN

FYODOR GOLAN SS20

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Celine SS20

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Chanel SS20

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Buberry SS20

Fashion week guests were also photographed sporting chain belts across all four fashion capitals. Some wore them over dresses to sit on a drop-down waist, while others wore over simple trousers or jeans, adding a little statement feature to their look.

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Street Style: Chain Belts

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Paris Fashion Week 2019

Guest

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Paris Fashion Week 2019

Camille Charriere

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Paris Fashion Week 2019

Aleali May

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Paris Fashion Week 2019

Madelynn Furlong

According to Lyst, searches for chain belts are currently 11% up quarter on quarter. The most wanted style is gold and the most searched-for brands include Chanel, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Balmain. There are, however, chain belts for all budgets, so you can embrace the 90s immediately – and be leading the trends come next season.

SHOP: The Best Chain Belts

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SHOP: Chain Belts

Chain Belts1 of 10

Black And Brown, £78

Chain Belts2 of 10

Marine Serre, £550

Chain Belts3 of 10

Burberry, £520

Chain Belts4 of 10

Reiss, £85

Chain Belts5 of 10

Accessorize, £17.50

Chain Belts6 of 10

New Look, £9.99

Chain Belts7 of 10

Urban Outfitters, £20

Chain Belts8 of 10

B-LOW THE BELT, £186

Chain Belts9 of 10

Chanel, £250.13

Chain Belts10 of 10

Isabel Marant, £290

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