Trendspotting: Emily Ratajkowski's Stunning Ultra-Cinched Puffer Outfit

Look of the Week is a regular series that delves into the most talked-about outfit of the last seven days, featuring both the good and the bad.

In recent years, the preferred fashion silhouette has been loose and oversized, from wide-leg pants to large, enveloping coats. A-list celebrities like Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Zoe Kravitz have helped keep the oversized look in style, whether it's Bieber's oversized Balenciaga suit at the 2022 Grammys or Kravitz's billowing wool overcoats in New York. However, this year has seen the emergence of a counter trend alongside the continued popularity of the boxy cut.

Suddenly, the waist has become the focal point of fashion. Eliminating this essential curve with straight-cut clothes is now considered sacrilegious. This is where the built-in belt comes in: it is designed to cinch and snatch the midriff of any garment it's embedded within.

Emily Ratajkowski was seen walking her dog on Tuesday in New York wearing a chocolate brown belted puffer jacket.

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Emily Ratajkowski, a long-time pioneer of fashion, was recently spotted walking her dog in a snugly belted puffer jacket. Her hourglass-shaped coat was paired with black yoga pants and chunky gold hoops. Harpers Bazaar recommends the cinching trend as a styling trick for everyone.

Jennifer Lawrence made headlines on Monday when her black wool Dior coat belt unexpectedly sprung off during the Saks Fifth Avenue Christmas light switch-on event. Despite the embarrassing moment, the "Hunger Games" actor handled it with grace, quickly acknowledging the mishap: "I'm so sorry, that was so loud, my belt popped off!"

Jennifer Lawrence made an appearance at the Saks Fifth Avenue x Christian Dior holiday display unveiling on Monday. The belted Dior jacket she wore became the center of attention when it unbuckled while she was in the middle of her speech.

Concerned about a repeat of Lawrence's wardrobe malfunction? There are now several options for sewn-in cinching devices to avoid such mishaps. Proenza Schouler's Fall-Winter 2023 runway featured Chloe Sevigny wearing a white 70s collared shirt and black blazer, cinched at the waist with a leather rope. Designer Cecilie Bahnsen has reimagined the denim jacket with a V-shaped corset structure and gathered hip inserts. Retailers like French Connection and The Frankie Shop are offering crisp white shirts with waist darts or fabric ties.

For a more casual look, London designer Dilara Findikoglu has released T-shirts with integrated waspies - a unique combination of cotton jersey and traditional boning. Fast fashion has also caught on, with over 1,300 reviews for a bodice-style zip-up hoodie on Cider.com. One reviewer raved, "Cute and comfy and snatches your waist. It gives the perfect shape to your body and looks spectacular."

Chloë Sevigny walked the runway during the Proenza Schouler during New York Fashion Week this February in a belted blazer.

The hourglass figure has long been a symbol of femininity, captivating humanity for centuries. Despite its association with disempowerment and female oppression, fashion has been resurging waist-centric designs. From LA-based label Miaou's Gen Z-approved corsets to the comeback of low-rise jeans, flaunting the midsection has become a fashion priority. The next challenge may be finding ways to showcase our waists, like Ratajkowski, even during winter dog walks.