You must wear an app-specific belt to follow certain dress requirements. But if you've ever been to a department store's belt section, you know how daunting the selection can be. There's so much leather and so many different buckles! It's normal if you want to throw up your hands and give up.
You'll have a much easier time buying if you understand the basics of belt-wearing and when each type is appropriate. You could even come to appreciate it!

Types of Leather Belts for Men


How does one begin with such a wide range of belt styles? It's much less overwhelming if you break down the outfit you're accessorising.
Then, you can quickly narrow down your belt options by closely inspecting your attire; your outfit can be a fantastic reference for determining which belt you require.
However, you might start by categorising your attire into two categories: formal and casual. Knowing whether you are dressing officially or casually will help you decide on a belt.


Formal Dress Belt


A formal dress belt is easily distinguished. The material is the most distinguishing element of a dress belt; dress belts are usually made of leather.
In addition, a formal belt will include a metallic frame buckle. Keep the frame buckle size as minimal as possible. You don't want the belt to be too visible.
The more formal your belt, the narrower it is. A dress belt is typically between 1¼ - 1¾ inches wide.
Dress belts are either black or brown, depending on which colour fits your suit. On the other hand, shoes must be the same colour as your belt.

 


Casual Belt

Belts for casual outfits have a lot fewer rules. They can be made of any material, though leather is still acceptable. Leather is generally preferred.
Casual belts are more noticeable than dress belts. This is because they are frequently displayed as novelty items.


How to Choose and Wear the Best Belt for Men


There are numerous elements to consider for a little aspect of your attire. You can start limiting your belt options based on what you'll wear.
You should first ask yourself whether you are wearing a suit or casual attire. You can then determine various characteristics of the right belt for what you are wearing.


The Strap Material

Types of leather strap

In practically any ensemble, leather is always your best pick. It's lovely looking and adds a sense of elegance to any clothes.
But there are numerous more, more casual belt material possibilities. In addition, you might dabble with textures such as suede, canvass, or webbing.
If you're wearing a leather belt, be sure it goes with your shoes. Colour matching is essential and one of the basic fashion guidelines.
However, it is not only the leather colour that must match. The type of leather should be identical.
If the strap materials are too dissimilar, the result will be a disastrous mismatch. For example, suede and patent leather would be a gigantic eyesore together!

The Buckle Metal


Any metal you use for accessories should go with everything else. This includes the buckle on your belt.

Belt Color

If you don't want an accent piece belt, wear a less prominent hue for your outfit. More importantly, the colours of your suit and shirt must coordinate with your shoes and potentially a tie.

Then you decide on a colour for your belt. The belt colour should ideally match the shoe colour.
The goal is for your belt to blend in rather than stand out. In general, brown or black will be your finest options.
If, on the other hand, you use your belt as a focal point in your ensemble, you can wear any colour! Go for it as long as you follow the basic colour wheel rules!


Belt Size


The perfect belt size is more crucial than you may imagine. An incorrectly sized belt might make you uncomfortable or make you appear untidy.

Formal Belts for Suits

The requirements for formal belts provide little room for error. A dress-up strap must meet certain boxes to be considered suitable.
First and foremost, it must be constructed of leather. Preferably cowhide or calfskin; however, exotic leather can be used as long as it is unobtrusive. The colour should match the colour of your suit, which is most likely dark.
The strap for a dress belt is relatively thin, and the only suitable belt buckle is a metal frame buckle. Your suit should be a good fit to start. A belt will not be a good fix to a waist too large on you. It may succeed in holding up your pants, but it will also create massively bunched-up fabric around your centre. This would be unsightly, at best. It's safest to start with a pair of dress pants that fit you well.