E-Mail This Article to a Friend Belt it out Notch-free sashes hide the sins of winter eating BY NAZ SIOSHANSI

WINTER BRINGS an obligation to eat and eat ... and then eat some more. After all, you need that extra fat to survive the cold, right? And what’s better on a chilly winter evening than some chicken-noodle soup, followed by meat loaf or mac ’n’ cheese? It’s the season of comfort food.

There will come that inevitable day, though, when you’re buckling your favorite belt ... and you realize you need to go one notch out. The worn-in belt hole you’ve grown accustomed to has become too tight. Heck, you survived it when it was too snug for comfort; but now it’s now cutting off circulation. So you’re forced to relent and accept the new notch.

But this comfort-food season can be different — and we owe a thank-you to fashion designers. Throw out those traditional belts (or at least put them away until you’re ready to pull out your bikini): this season’s belt fashion is notch-free. The new crop of belts requires only a tie or a loop; your (growing) girth is your secret.

Take, for example, the colorful and reversible Hadley Pollet belts ($98), available at Saks Fifth Avenue. "Zinnia" is the most popular pattern; choose from a hot pink/blue combination, or brown/orange. Then continue to enjoy those brownies, because these belts have no notches — just pull one colorful end through the D-ring buckle.

Fruit Punch Design belts ($58), available at Inside and Company, are also reversible, colorful, and notch-free D-rings. These belts come in a combination of fabrics and patterns, such as colored dots with green corduroy. If you prefer some sparkle, there’s a pink plaid/green-wool combination with a rhinestone buckle.

Then there are the traditional Vineyard Vine D-ring belts ($48), available at Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill. The mission of this designer is to make belts that can be worn on boats and in boardrooms. These belts aren’t reversible, but they come decorated in stylish patterns of cocktail glasses with umbrellas, Martha’s Vineyard town signs, and footprints.

And there’s always the ever-easy sash belt. The Gap carries a number of colorful sash belts this season, including the brown-dove sash and purple-butterfly sash ($19.50). Banana Republic has combined two typical belt fabrics in its chain-and-ribbon belts ($22.40), which require only a tie. Or take a step back to the ’80s with Banana’s snakeskin-patterned sash belt ($36.40) with a gold-tone buckle.

Whichever design you choose, your eating sins won’t be announced by a new notch on your belt this winter. So enjoy the season of comfort food while looking good.

Where to find it:

• Banana Republic, various locations; www.bananarepublic.com

• Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, 46 Charles Street A, Boston, (617) 227-4646.

• Gap, various locations; www.gap.com

• Inside and Company, 4 Medford Street, Arlington, (781) 648-3366.

• Saks Fifth Avenue, 786 Boylston Street, Boston, (617) 541-0077; www.saksfifthavenue.com