Belts are one of the most impactful accessories in a man’s wardrobe. Buying a belt is easy, but choosing the right one can make a big difference in your overall outfit. An ill-fitting or mismatched belt can ruin your look. When shopping for a belt, consider the specific pair of pants you intend to wear it with. This will help you determine whether you need a dress belt or a casual belt. Narrowing down your options based on your outfit will make it easier to find the perfect belt. If you're looking for leather belts, you can browse options online and choose from formal or casual styles.
How to Choose the Perfect Belt
But how do you know whether the belts you’re considering are better suited to a pair of jeans or your new suit?
Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the best belt for your outfit.
Formal Leather Belts
The formal dress code is more restrictive than the casual dress code. These guidelines apply to every aspect of your wardrobe, including the seemingly insignificant belt.
- Material: The only acceptable material for a men’s formal belt is leather. Any other belt material, no matter how nice it looks, is too casual and will conflict with the formality of your suit.
- Colour: For formal wear black or brown leather belt is appropriate, depending on which colour goes best with your suit. However, make sure your belt and shoes match.
- Width: : Maintain a thin belt. The width of your dress belt should be between 114 and 134 inches. A wide belt draws attention and sets a casual tone. A narrow belt, on the other hand, is less noticeable.
- Buckles: : A small frame buckle is the style of choice for dress belts. Although there are numerous buckle styles, only a frame buckle is appropriate for wearing with a suit. Because your belt isn’t meant to be noticed, a small frame is best to keep your belt hidden. Your formal belt buckle should be made of metal. It doesn’t matter what kind of metal you use. The only stipulation is that the metal must match any other metal you’re wearing. For instance, if your accessories are all bronze, but your belt buckle is silver, it will stand out.
Casual Leather Belts
Casual clothes are always more relaxed, and a casual belt can be worn with almost anything. Men’s casual belts are often intended to be more visible and are acceptable as part of your overall look.
- Material: Casual belts can be made of almost any material, but Leather is always an excellent casual option. Canvas, for example, conveys a specific tone, whereas vinyl or webbing can create an entirely different effect.
- Strap Width: If you’re looking for a casual belt, then wide is the way to go. If belts are worn as an observable part of a man’s casual outfit, wide straps are preferable because they are more noticeable.
- Buckles: Usually, the buckle is dominant on a casual belt. It doesn’t have to be huge, but if you want to make your belt a statement piece, it can get quite big. You don’t, however, need a cowboy-sized belt buckle. A more delicate, smaller belt buckle can also look great.
On casual belts, the buckle style is also much more adaptable and there are also numerous buckle options available rather than just a frame-style buckle. It can be ornamental, such as a box frame or a plate buckle, and it can also be functional, as in the case of a snap buckle. Any buckle is acceptable as long as it complements the style you are going for.
Leather GIL
Leather GIL is a website that offers formal and casual leather belts for men, leather wallets for men, and corporate leather gift combo sets. They have a wide variety of belts to choose from, all of which are made of 100% Genuine Spanish Leather. The prices are also reasonable, making it an excellent choice for those looking for high-quality belts without spending a fortune.