Fashion industry be damned, we’re all for an hourglass figure, and there’s no better way to define one than with a belt at the waist. Even the simplest sheath dress gains an ounce of oomph with the addition of a classic grosgrain belt, and the crystal and metallic pieces we’ve seen on the runways lately are anything but ordinary. Need more convincing? There’s always the prospect of wearing your signature accessory more than once—at the rehearsal dinner, on the honeymoon or over a sleek sheath when you want a little spring in your step at the office.

The Classic Bride
Legends by Romona Keveza

Leave it to the awards show maven (who’s just as famous for her red carpet gowns as her wedding wear) to up the glam factor on your bridal ensemble. The waist-defining crystal belts she showed with her fall 2011 collection add some sparkle to otherwise classic gowns, so you can balance timelessness with a touch of flash. ($4,795; legendsbyromonakeveza.com)

The Minimalist Bride
Amsale Collection

Amsale Aberra’s namesake line of contemporary, chic wedding gowns didn’t miss a beat when it featured slender gunmetal belts with crystal beading, but we particularly love the look when paired with a minimalist dress. The subtle sweetheart neckline, to-the-point seaming and clean design wowed us when paired with something sparkly. ($4,450; amsale.com)

The Sophisticated Bride
Ines di Santo

Usually a proponent of over-the-top glamour, Ines di Santo showed a few subdued selections on the runway this season, proving she can handle clean minimalism just as elegantly as super-glam gowns. Case in point: the sophisticated ruched silk gown she paired with a gorgeous crystal belt. Nothing says timeless style better. ($4,840; inesdisanto.com)

The Fashion-Forward Bride
Vera Wang

She’s shown black grosgrain belts in the past (to much acclaim), but Vera Wang’s use of the simple accessory this season was the perfect contrast to complex, avant-garde gowns. We’re particularly obsessed with her gray asymmetrical ruched dress, where a waist-definer keeps you from losing your curves in a sea of twisted tulle. ($3,990; verawang.com)

The Eclectic Bride
Lela Rose

The point of the accessories in Lela Rose’s spring 2011 collection was versatility; our editors couldn’t stop trying them on over their own dresses, and they assure you that the belts look just as good over black cocktail garb and shirtdresses as they do on a gown. (Belt, $595; skirt, $5,995; bustier, $995; lelarose.com)