A belt on a fifties dress does what a belt does everywhere which is make your waist look smaller and create definition where there might not have been any. These are dresses where the belt is part of the design rather than an afterthought. The dress itself might be straight or slightly A-line but the belt cinches it at the waist and creates that essential fifties shape. Cotton or linen blends work well here because they hold a belt without sliding around. Solid colors or small-scale prints both work. The belt can be the same fabric as the dress or a contrasting color for extra definition. This is the fifties dress for someone who wants the silhouette without the full swing skirt.