Belts are part of men’s everyday fashion. Whether they are in a formal wear or in casual clothes, belts are always present. The main purpose of a belt is to hold the pants up, but aside from that, belts are also used to make a style statement. It can add a personal touch to men’s formal wear, and it can also tie an outfit together. However, it’s important to wear appropriate belts that will match your outfit. Picking the right belts for men is easy and here are some guidelines which may help.
Know Your Belt Size
One of the most important things in picking a belt is to know what size you need. Belt sizes are often indicated by inches or centimeters. The size corresponds to the length of the buckle to the mid hole, where it should be fastened. Some belt brands are sized the same way as clothes which are in small, medium, large, and extra-large. Their waist range is often from 28 inches to 36 inches.
Formal belts are usually 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters wide, but it varies depending on the style and brand. Also, keep in mind that the skinnier the belt, the more formal it looks. Wearing the right size of belt is important because a too large belt would be bulky to wear, and a small belt would look uncomfortable.
Have Different Kinds of Belts
It’s good to invest in different kinds of belts. Every man needs at least two good quality leather belts, one casual belt, and one fabric belt. If you have these kinds of belts, it will be easy for you to pair them with any outfit you have. If you want to improve your belt collection, here are four must-own belts you can consider.
- Formal black/brown leather belt: It’s important to own at least one or two leather belts because they are the easiest kind of belt to pair with any attire.
- Tan woven or braided leather belt: These kinds of belts are best worn with jeans.
- Webbed fabric belt: This kind of belt is usually worn on summer shorts.
- Novelty belt: You can also have one belt which is beaded, colored, or made of snake skin. It is useful for certain events such as not too formal parties.
Choose the Right Belt Buckle
If you’re sporting formal attire like a suit, avoid wearing belts with big buckles. Remember, the bigger the belt buckle, the more casual it looks. It’s better to go for belts with small and flat belt buckles. But if you’re wearing casual attire, it won’t hurt to wear belts with bigger belt buckles.
When you’re wearing any male jewelry such as cufflinks, watch, tie tacks, etc., your belt buckle should be in the same color with them. Silver accents are for silver belt buckles, and same goes with gold accents.
Choose the Right Belt Color and Material
When wearing formal attire, the basic rule is that the color and material of your shoes should match the color and material of your belt. If you’re wearing a black leather shoes, it’s better to wear a black leather belt to match it. Glossy belts match glossy shoes, and the same goes with matte belts. But if you’re wearing a casual outfit, it’s fine to not match them too well.
Other belt materials such as animal patterns are also considered as casual belts, though they can be very expensive. Well, it still depends on you on how much attention you want your mid-section to get.
Other Styling Guidelines
Since belts are worn on the mid-sectioning line, it can create a shortening visual effect. If you want to look taller, you can match your belt with either your pants, or your shirt to make the line less noticeable. If you’re a tall man and you don’t want to look anymore taller with your outfit, it’s better to wear belts with brighter colors or with more detailed styles.
Aside from wearing belts, there is also an alternative which is wearing clip-on braces. These are best for those who want to try something different, or to those who want a more vintage fashion look. They can be used in either formal or casual attire.
These are just some of the basic guidelines you should know when it comes to wearing belts. But you can still experiment on mixing and matching belts with different outfits. It’s also important to wear something that is comfortable to you and matches your personal taste.
If you need tips when it comes to choosing work belts, you may check out our Guide to Selecting Work Belts.