Men's Casual & Dress Belts - The Ultimate Guide

Belt Mistakes Most Men Make

So many guys think there's no way to screw up wearing a belt, but they're wrong (most of the time).

Please watch out for the following mistakes as they can ruin your overall look:

• Wearing bright or boldly-colored belts.
  These can (and will) make you look like you don't know what you're doing in regard to your style.

• Going for ugly or poor-quality fabrics.
  Avoid belts made from canvas, snakeskin, and other materials, as these can look tacky, weird, or juvenile.

• Wearing belts with big, obnoxious buckles.
  All you’ll ever need is some variation of the standard square belt buckle with a single prong. If you have any other type of belt buckle, (and you’re not a cowboy, sheriff, or rodeo rider) then replace it immediately.

• Going too thick or thin with the width.
  This is a really common faux pas. Your dress belts should stay as close to 1.25 inches (3.2cm) thick as possible - give or take a little more or less. Your casual belts should be between 1.25-1.75 inches (3.2-4.5cm) thick but never less or more.

The 2 Types Of Belt Every Man Needs

As you can probably guess by this point in the article, there are actually two different types of belts; dress and casual.

The differences between these types of belts may seem subtle to the untrained eye but they can actually make a huge difference to your overall look.

The Dress Belt

These are thinner belts and should be as near to 1.25 inches (3.2cm) thick as possible - give or take a little more or less. Anything wider is too bulky and casual, and anything slimmer is either a woman's belt or a fashion belt. Even though the width is only slightly thinner than a casual belt, it can really affect the overall appearance of your outfit.

Compare this picture of a guy wearing a wider belt as a dress belt with the image of my model. Even though there's only about a half-inch difference between the two belts, in my eyes, it's night and day.

When it comes to the texture or finish of your dress belt, you always want a shiny, glossy, more polished look as this will be better for matching your dress shoes and dress watch strap. 

The Casual Belt

These are thicker belts, anywhere between 1.25-1.75 inches (3.2-4.5cm) thick and can be slightly less, but never more. Anything wider than this looks out of place and you'll have a hard time fitting it through the belt loops, as shown in this image:

Also, in regards to the texture or finish of the belt, you want to avoid super shiny belts. Rember, shiny/polished-looking belts = dress belts.

Most casual leather belts will be pebbled or have a duller matte finish that gives them a more casual vibe (like in the picture above).

Colors

I honestly believe that every man needs four belts in total, as these will cover him for every possible outfit combination and dress code, from casual looks to dressier attire.

Any other colors can (and will) make you look like you don't know what you're doing in regard to your style. Your belt should only ever be thought of as a utilitarian item and should never be used to "enhance" an outfit.

1. Brown Casual Belt

This will work best with your blue pants, white sneakers, and any brown shoes or boots.

2. Black Casual Belt

This will go well with your black pants and black shoes.

3. Brown Dress Belt

This will go with navy or brown suit pants or wool trousers.

4. Black Dress Belt

This will work for any time you need to wear black dress shoes.

Fabrics

• For both your casual and dress belts, you always want to stick with leather.

  • This will work no matter the time of year or outfit.

  • If you’re averse to leather, then get a leather substitute belt.

• Avoid belts made from canvas, snakeskin, and other materials.

  • These only work for very specific scenarios and can look tacky, weird, or juvenile when not worn properly.

Buckles

Belt buckles are one of the most common things I see men getting wrong, so let's settle this once and for all.

Regardless of whether it's a casual or dress belt, all you’ll ever need is some variation of the standard belt buckle with a single square frame and prong.

Any other type of buckle is usually too gaudy or too cowboy-ish and should be avoided at all costs.

For the color of your buckle, you will want to go with either silver or gold. Let your skin tone and jewelry dictate this because you have to go one way or the other.

• Silver works for everyone, regardless of your skin tone, so go with this if you're not sure.

• Gold belt buckles should only be worn if your skin tone works with them and if they match your watches, jewelry, and sunglasses.

How a Belt Should Fit

Length - Casual & Dress Belts

• Most guys think that their belt size should be the same size as their waist. They're almost right.

• You always want to go one size up from your actual waist size.

  • Example: if you’re a 34″ waist, buy a 36″ belt.

• This will leave the perfect amount of belt left and won’t look too short or too long for either your casual or dress belts.

You want go one size larger than your waist size so there's a little excess left (but not too much).

This will ensure that your belt doesn't look too short...

This is way too long!

Width - Casual Belts

• Have your casual belt somewhere between 1.25-1.75 inches (3.2-4.5cm) thick and can be slightly less, but never more. Anything more than that is too wide and will look out of place.

• Any much slimmer than that looks more like a dress belt.

3 inches or more is too fat for casual belts.

Less than 1.25 inches is too thin. This is a dress belt, so it's also too shiny/polished for jeans!

1.25 - 1.75 inches is just right for casual outfits.

Width - Dress Belts

• Even though it's only slightly slimmer than a casual belt, this difference in width makes a huge difference in the overall appearance.

• You want the width to stay as near to 1.25 inches (3.2cm) thick as possible - give or take a little more or less.

• Anything much wider would be considered too casual-looking.

• Anything slimmer than that is either a woman’s or a fashion belt, and that’s really not what we’re going for here.

Too thin for a dress belt. This is either a woman's or a fashion belt.

This is the perfect width and polish for a dress belt.

Too thick and not shiny or polished enough for a dress belt.

Matching Your Belt To Your Outfits

For casual outfits, the quick and easy rule to follow is that your shoe color should always match your belt color (except with white shoes).

• Black shoes = black belt and watch strap.

• Brown shoes = brown belt and watch strap.

If you're wearing white sneakers, then use your pants or predominant outfit color to dictate the color of the belt:

• Blue pants w/ white sneakers = brown belt.

• Blue pants w/ black shoes or top = black belt.

• Black pants w/ white sneakers = black belt.

• Gray pants w/ white sneakers = brown belt. (This is unless your shirt, sweater, or jacket is black. Then use a black belt).

• Tan pants w/ white sneakers = brown belt.

• If your outfit is predominantly black (pants, shoes, jacket, or shirt), then go with a black belt.

For suited outfits, your shoe color should always match your belt color.

• Black shoes = black belt and watch strap.

• Brown shoes = brown belt and watch strap.

Outfit Ideas

Tucking the front of your t-shirt into your pants (also known as a 'French tuck') is a cool and modern style move that allows you to show off your choice of belt. The nice brown shade here works really well with the darker shades of the rest of the items.

Elevated Casual

As we're wearing white sneakers and our black polo is our predominant item here, the black belt is an absolute must. The French tuck of the polo allows us to really show off the belt, but if this isn't your thing you can totally just wear your polo untucked.

Business Casual

Notice how we're not only matching the belt and shoes, but also the sunglasses as well, and I'd recommend adding a dress watch with a black strap to round out the overall look.