Belt Width Guide (2024)

FAQs

How wide should your belt be? ›

Strap Width

A casual belt will be 1.5-1.75 inches in width, with wider being more casual. A belt around 1.5” in width goes well with denim, chinos, and heavier fabrics. A belt wider than that is more unusual, suits jeans and casual trousers, and can be paired with classic and “statement” buckles.

Most men prefer a wider belt, 1 1/4 inch or 1 1/2 inch. Both widths work fine with jeans or khakis. However, a 1 1/2 inch belt is too wide for most dress pants. Women choose belt widths for the style or look that they are going for.

40mm (standard) The 40mm width is one we promote for denim and most casual wear occasions. This width fills the loops of your jeans nicely and has a suitably weighty feel against both denim and other casual trousers. You can use this width for almost all but the most formal of occasions, it is extremely versatile.

If your pants size is 32, buy a belt size 34. If your pants size is a 34, buy a belt size 36; if your pants size is a 36, buy a belt size 38, etc. The reason you buy a belt size up from your pants size is to give yourself a few inches of room in case your body size ever changes.

Measurements First

But unlike a pair of pants, you shouldn't buy the width that corresponds to the wearer's waist measurement. Be sure to buy a belt size that is at least two inches greater. For instance, if you typically wear size 32 pants, you should purchase a size 34 belt.

Simple Guidelines for your body type:

Long waist: Wide belts worn on the narrowest part of your waist help shorten the body, enhance your silhouette & create an hourglass figure. Short waist: Thin belts will work best because a wider belt can make your torso seem shorter.

Have your casual belt somewhere between 1 3/4 – 2″ wide. Anything more than that is too wide and will look out of place.

Of course a belt can also bring unwanted attention to a large tummy or a thick waist and make you look heavier than you need to look. So, it's important to get it right! A belt can add a horizontal design element to your outfit, which makes your torso appear shorter and therefore wider.

The 1-½ inch wide leather belt is the most common width for casual leather belts. This size leather belt size was designed to fit perfectly through the loops of most manufacturers' casual pants, like jeans or khakis. Because of their near-universal fit, 1-½ inch leather belts are a great style to wear every day.

A belt that is too thick might be good as a gun belt, but it will not be very comfortable to wear all day. In our experience, the ideal thickness for most people ends up being 8.5 - 9.5 ounces, or about 1/8 - 9/64 inches thick.

What width belt to wear with jeans? ›

Typically, jeans look best with casual belts in a 1.5" width. The leather used is thicker and wider than what you would find in a dress belt, but is still offer a comfortable fit for everyday use.

The belt size should exceed your actual pants or waist size by 2-3 inches to accommodate your pants material. If your pants size is a 36”, you can't go wrong with a size 38” belt.

Your belt size is two inches larger than your pant waist size. If you wear a 34″ trouser, buy a 36″ belt. If your waist size is an odd number, buy a belt three inches larger instead of two.

Belts should run larger than waist size of pants.

Typically, the belt strap should end between your first and second belt loop. If you have enough extra material to loop it through the second belt loop, it's too long. If your belt doesn't extend through the first belt loop, it's too short.

As a general rule of thumb, note that your belt will measure approximately 3-4 inches larger than your pant size when considering the thickness of the leather, the jean material and the rise of the pants.

Pick a wide belt in the same color as your shirt or dress. It will break up the texture and design of your outfit without clashing with it. If you're wearing a leather belt and don't want to match the color with your outfit, try matching accessories, such as your handbag or shoes.

It's absolutely fine to wear a skinny belt (average width 1/2″) with a pair of dress pants, and often a thinner belt will look stylish fed through larger loops. The only problem that can arise when the loops are much bigger than the belt is the belt can slide around because it has more room.

Are wide belts still in fashion? ›

O wide female belt it was already a trend in the 80s and is back with the 2023 belt trend. It is perfect for slimming down the silhouette, especially for women who are fuller.

A simple way to determine belt size is to simply “add 2″ to your trouser size. For example, if you wear a 34” waist trouser, then a 36 belt size will be a perfect fit.

Cinch belts: Cinch belts are wide belts that are used to cinch a person's waist and add shape to a silhouette. They can be made of leather, fabric, or from an elastic material that stretches to adjust to the size of your midsection.

People feel that wearing slimming belt melts fat from the waistline area. But as we all know, this is not possible because there is no scientific evidence to support the claim of spot reduction (losing fat from one body part).

The Gucci belt comes in three widths: 0.75,” 1″ and 1.5.” Technically, the 1″ is the men's version, but Gucci lists in under women's belts as well.

Choosing the right width

The belt comes in three different widths – 2cm (0.75”), 3cm (1”) which is also known as the men's belt, and 4cm (1.5”). While on paper, the variations in width appear minimal, the small differences are very noticeable when worn as you will see in the comparison shots I've included in this post.

Your belt should not be so long that it has a loose hanging tail, nor should it be so short that putting it through the first loop is difficult. Your belt should go under the first belt loop after the buckle and under the second belt loop as a general rule of thumb.

thickness. A standard thickness for belts is a 7 to 8 oz leather. At Zelikovitz Leathers, we get a lot of inquiries from all over the world regarding the thickness of leather. As most leather is sold in Ounce thickness, the approximate equivalent in inch fractions or millimeters can be compared below.

There is no one-size-fits-all belt sizing formula. Belts fit differently depending on user sizes and gear combinations. For instance, gun belts measure different standards than a regular size guide due to the flexibility of various holsters.

A 10mm belt is usually the best option for powerlifters and recreational gym goers alike. The belt thickness allows strength progression without much discomfort and no lengthy break-in period.

What is the difference between 35mm and 40mm belts? ›

A: The difference is the width of the belt. The 35mm belt has a 1.25 inch buckle (the leather is slightly more narrow than that so that it can fit inside of the buckle) and the 40mm belt has a 1.5 inch buckle (again, leather slightly more narrow).

As a general rule, leather belts will look better with more conservative jeans. That means darker denim, slim-fit or straight cut, usually with a clean cuff and some Chelsea boots. Woven or synthetic belts are better for more casual jeans, which means anything distressed, stacked or lighter in colour.

1. A Black Belt. The versatility of the classic black belt is almost limitless. The common rule is that these belts need to match with the color of your shoes, or at least be close.

Its width is about 38mm - about 1.5 inches, and its thickness is about 3.6 to 4mm or 9-10 oz. Each Puzo men's genuine leather belt has a leather loop and five holes on the tip, but if necessary you can always punch a few more holes in the belt.

The 30mm width (approx. 1.18 inches) is the perfect size to lend you a sophisticated and classy look.

How to Choose a Belt Size based on Pant Size. An easy way to determine belt size is to simply “add 2″ to your off-the-rack trouser size. For example, if you wear a 36” waist trouser, then a 38 belt size will be a safe bet.

Alternatively, a quicker way to know what size belt to buy is by selecting a belt that is 2 inches larger than your usual pant size to make sure it fits you comfortably. This applies for both men and women. For example, if you wear 34” waist trousers, then a 36" belt size will be a perfect fit.

An easy way to determine belt size is to simply “add 2″ to your off-the-rack trouser size. For example, if you wear a 36” waist trouser, then a 38 belt size will be a safe bet.

What size belt do I need for a 38 waist? ›

Take your existing pants size and then add two inches to the number. For instance, if your pants waist size is 38, then your belt size would be 40. You can also find your belt size by measuring a belt you already own that fits well.