What size belt should I buy?
Take your pants waist size and simply buy the next size up. So if you're a 34" waist, buy a 36" belt. This will leave the perfect amount of belt left.
Can I wear the same belt for every outfit?
No. You need to match your belt to the specific color and level of formality of the rest of your outfit.
What fabric should my belt be?
Stick with leather or a leather substitute as these always look best. Avoid belts made from canvas, snakeskin, and other materials.
How many belts do I need?
Every man needs four belts:
- Brown casual belt
- Black casual belt
- Brown dress belt
- Black dress belt
Should I wear a belt buckle?
All you'll ever need is some variation of the standard belt buckle with a single square frame and prong. There's absolutely no reason for anything else — ever.
Should I wear a belt with a suit?
Even if your suit has belt loops, you don't have to wear a belt. In fact, it can ruin the overall look.
Should my belt match my shoes?
For casual and suited outfits, your shoe color should always match your belt color (except with white shoes). If wearing white sneakers, use your pants or predominant outfit color to dictate belt color.
Belt Mistakes Most Men Make
Please watch out for the following mistakes:
- Wearing bright or boldly-colored belts. These will make you look like you don't know what you're doing.
- Going for ugly or poor-quality fabrics. Avoid canvas, snakeskin, and other materials — they can look tacky.
- Wearing belts with big, obnoxious buckles. All you need is the standard square buckle with a single prong. If you have any other type (and you're not a cowboy), replace it immediately.
- Going too thick or thin. Dress belts should be ~1.25 inches (3.2cm). Casual belts should be 1.25-1.75 inches (3.2-4.5cm).
The 2 Types Of Belt Every Man Needs
The Dress Belt
These are thinner belts, as near to 1.25 inches (3.2cm) thick as possible. The texture should be shiny, glossy, and polished — to match your dress shoes and dress watch strap.
Even though there's only about a half-inch difference between a casual and dress belt, it's night and day.
The Casual Belt
These are thicker belts, anywhere between 1.25-1.75 inches (3.2-4.5cm). Avoid super shiny belts — casual belts should be pebbled or have a duller matte finish.
Colors
Every man needs four belts — these will cover every possible outfit combination:
1. Brown Casual Belt
Works best with blue pants, white sneakers, and any brown shoes or boots.
2. Black Casual Belt
Goes well with black pants and black shoes.
3. Brown Dress Belt
Goes with navy or brown suit pants or wool trousers.
4. Black Dress Belt
Works for any time you need to wear black dress shoes.
Fabrics
- For both casual and dress belts, always stick with leather (or a leather substitute).
- Avoid belts made from canvas, snakeskin, and other materials — they can look tacky, weird, or juvenile.
Buckles
All you'll ever need is some variation of the standard belt buckle with a single square frame and prong. Any other type is usually too gaudy or too cowboy-ish.
For buckle color, go with either silver or gold:
- Silver works for everyone, regardless of skin tone.
- Gold should only be worn if your skin tone works with it and it matches your watches, jewelry, and sunglasses.
How a Belt Should Fit
Length — Casual & Dress Belts
Always go one size up from your actual waist size (e.g., 34" waist = 36" belt). This leaves the perfect amount of belt.
Width — Casual Belts
Between 1.25-1.75 inches (3.2-4.5cm), never more. Slimmer than that looks like a dress belt.
Width — Dress Belts
Stay as near to 1.25 inches (3.2cm) as possible. The slightly slimmer width makes a huge difference in appearance.
Matching Your Belt To Your Outfits
Casual outfits: Shoe color = belt color (except with white shoes).
- Black shoes = black belt and watch strap
- Brown shoes = brown belt and watch strap
With white sneakers:
- Blue pants = brown belt
- Blue pants with black shoes or top = black belt
- Black pants = black belt
- Gray pants = brown belt (unless shirt/sweater/jacket is black, then black belt)
- Tan pants = brown belt
- Predominantly black outfit = black belt
Suited outfits: Shoe color = belt color, always.
Outfit Ideas
Casual
Tucking the front of your t-shirt into your pants ('French tuck') allows you to show off your belt choice. The nice brown shade works well with darker outfit tones.
Elevated Casual
With white sneakers and a black polo as the predominant item, the black belt is an absolute must.
Business Casual
Notice how we're matching the belt and shoes, but also the sunglasses — add a dress watch with a black strap to round out the look.