This is your guide to belts. Belts can be a little complicated, but the key is coordination. For example, right now, I'm not wearing a belt with dress pants. This is just a personal preference. You guys can obviously do what you like, but I feel that especially with a nice, sleek suit, a belt can visually chop you in half, disrupting the streamlined look. Instead, I opt for suspenders or side tabs as you see here.
However, when it comes to jeans, chinos, or shorts, you absolutely need to wear a belt. I always wear belts with these types of pants. Here's your guide to belts:
The Basics of Belts
Belts come in different colors, metals, and buckles. Here’s my first tip: never wear a logo belt. Brands like Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, or Gucci might seem appealing, but logo belts are tacky. Plus, there are so many knock-offs out there that logo belts have a bad image. Save your money; you could buy a nice pair of shoes for the same price as a logo belt.
Coordination is Key
When it comes to metals, coordination is essential. If your belt buckle is silver, match it with a silver watch, cufflinks, etc. The same goes for gold. Next, let's talk about texture. For casual shoes like sneakers or suede loafers, your belt doesn’t have to match your shoes exactly. They should be in the same ballpark, but an exact match isn't necessary. For casual outfits paired with jeans or chinos, this is perfectly fine.
Matching Dress Belts
When it comes to dress shoes, however, your belt needs to match more closely. It doesn’t have to be a perfect match, but it should be in the same color family with a similar shine or luster. For example, I paired brown wingtips with a textured weave belt. Some people don’t like weave belts, but I think they complement textured shoes well. With penny loafers, which have less texture, I paired a lighter weave belt.
Adding Texture
Many of my belts have texture, and I recommend getting textured belts. Plain belts can be boring, but a little texture can add visual interest. All my belts in this post are from Fame Footwear. Their leather is high-quality and durable. Thanks to Fame for sponsoring this post and making this guide possible. You can check out their selection through the link below.
Choosing the Right Buckle
Men often struggle with belt buckles. Avoid logo buckles and opt for simpler, more elegant buckles. Also, make sure the width of your belt matches the belt loops on your pants. Jeans usually have wider loops, so a thicker, more casual belt works best. Dress pants have thinner loops, requiring a sleeker belt.
Final Thoughts
If you follow these tips, you’ll be fine. Remember, belts can make or break your outfit as they are a focal point. Make sure your belt coordinates well with your overall look. I hope this guide was informative and helpful.