Queen Letizia of Spain Makes the Case for Statement Belts in Red Midi Dress at Royal Event in Barcelona

Queen Letizia of Spain made the case for a retro trend while in Barcelona for a royal engagement on Thursday. The Spanish royal visited the Dexeus Women’s Foundation and presented the XIX Dexeus Women’s Foundation Award at the Dexeus University Hospital.

Queen Letizia opted for a knit red midi dress with long sleeves and a crewneck neckline. The simple but elegant piece featured a deep red hue on the cozy, semi-loose fabric. The dress also featured an A-line silhouette, which offered the opportunity to create a more defined shape.

With the addition of a bold black belt, Queen Letizia gave her look a cinched waist for added definition and a stark color contrast. She continued the black motif, wearing a pair of black boots with a slight heel and carrying a leather handbag courtesy of Carolina Herrera — one of the Spanish royal’s go-to designers.

When it came to her accessories, Queen Letizia went minimalist. The royal wore a single ring on her index finger and a pair of dainty earrings. Her hair was styled with a side part and soft curls, while her makeup featured a bold brow, slightly smoky eye and glossy, natural lip.

The statement belt is a trend that’s quietly had a resurgence over the last several months. Though not every belt is wholly evocative of the Y2K trend that featured bold, chunky belts to create shape on dresses and tunics, the statement is reworked for contemporary styles.

Selena Gomez opted for a statement belt while attending an event for her Rare Beauty brand at a Sephora in New York City last October. The “Emilia Pérez” star opted for a disc-studded Khaite belt that elevated her business-friendly attire for the event.

With her ensemble choice for her Barcelona event, Queen Letizia made the case for how a popular Y2K trend can be styled for a sleek, contemporary approach.