If you’re reading this, you probably know how to wear a belt already. Loop it round the back, buckle in the front and so on. But when it comes to matching belts with jeans, there’s more to it than simply keeping your pants up. Men’s belts come in different widths, different materials, different colours and different patterns, and each one is going to work better with particular jeans. We’ve already written about which belts work best for certain occasions. In this article, we’ll be diving into different belt-and-denim combos and how to style them properly. Buckle up (sorry).
Men’s belt materials
You can roughly divide men’s belts into two categories: leather and everything else. Leather belts tend to be more formal (but not always) and ‘everything else’ can cover canvas, woven cotton, hemp or synthetic elastic. 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. If you get this bit wrong, things can look weird.
Men’s belt widths
Width is one of those belt factors that a lot of guys miss, and it can really unbalance your outfit. Men’s belts come in all sorts of widths, but generally ‘narrow belts’ (that’s anything under 3 centimetres) are for formal occasions, and ‘wide belts’ (anything over 3.8 centimetres) are strictly for casual wear. Denim is actually the one material with a bit of wiggle room here, but it’s still good to remember the fundamentals. Another good rule of thumb is: dark denim goes with narrow belts, light denim goes with wider belts. Use your eye to judge this one, or play it safe and find a belt that swings both ways. A width of 3.3 centimetres is a good sweet spot.
Leather belt worn with Tracer Orange Sneakers
Men’s belt colours
Like we always say, your leather needs to colour match. If you’re buying a men’s leather belt, just give some thought to matching your belt to your shoes and other leather accessories. Black goes with black, brown goes with brown, and you really shouldn’t mix the two together. Light brown leather belts will look better with lighter denim, and vice versa for dark. Don’t match indigo with a light tan belt, and keep black leather far away from your faded ripped jeans. Other than that, you’re free to experiment! It’s good to pick up some casual belts in grey, navy or dark brown – they should match with pretty much any outfit.
Leather belts
Okay, men’s leather belts. How many do you really need? That’s hard to say, but at the very least you should probably get one in brown and one in black, so you’ve always got a colour match handy. The RENFORD brown belt and TODD black belt are good places to start. Keep in mind, your buckle and the width of the belt will determine how formal it is. Brushed metal or dull copper will give your belt a more casual vibe (perfect with jeans and sneakers) while polished silver or gold will obviously work better with dark denim and a good pair of loafers.
Patterned leather belts
Patterned leather belts tend to skew more formal, but not always. It’s probably unnecessary (and a little odd) to turn up to a backyard barbecue with an embossed leather belt. But when it comes to picking your pattern, there are no hard-and-fast rules. Just go with anything that catches your eye. There are woven leather belts, like the DEN, embossed designs like the COLTON, and wraparound patterns like the HUNTLEY. Any of these would look great with some dark, slim fit jeans, Chelsea boots or woven loafers, and a knit blazer on top. Patterns are a good way to add texture and visual interest, without being too showy or distracting.
Casual belts
‘Casual men’s belts’ is a pretty broad umbrella, and it can even include leather belts (the wider and lighter the better). Most of the time though, a casual belt is going to be woven cotton or elastic. These will be your go-to weekend belts, perfect with slim-fit, straight cut or relaxed tapered jeans. There are obviously way fewer rules when it comes to casual belts. It’s more down to your personal style. We recommend two or three belts on rotation, in a variety of colours and widths. That way you’ll have something suitable for any pair of jeans. The only guide to follow here is: slim with slim, wide with wide. The skinnier your jeans, the thinner you want your belt to be, and vice versa.
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I'm an expert in men's fashion and accessories, particularly in the realm of belts and their proper pairing with denim. My knowledge is based on extensive research and a deep understanding of fashion trends and style principles. I've closely followed the evolution of men's fashion, keeping up with industry standards and emerging concepts. Now, let's delve into the information related to the concepts mentioned in the provided article.
1. Men’s Belt Materials: The article mentions two broad categories of men's belts: leather and non-leather materials such as canvas, woven cotton, hemp, or synthetic elastic. Leather belts are generally considered more formal and pair well with conservative jeans, particularly darker denim in slim-fit or straight cut. Woven or synthetic belts are recommended for more casual jeans, including distressed, stacked, or lighter-colored options.
2. Men’s Belt Widths: The width of a men's belt plays a crucial role in balancing an outfit. Narrow belts (under 3 centimeters) are suitable for formal occasions, while wider belts (over 3.8 centimeters) are reserved for casual wear. Dark denim typically goes well with narrow belts, while light denim pairs better with wider belts. A width of 3.3 centimeters is suggested as a versatile option for denim.
3. Men’s Belt Colors: Matching the color of your leather belt is emphasized, with the rule that black should go with black, and brown should go with brown. Light brown leather belts are recommended for lighter denim, while dark brown or black belts complement darker denim. Experimentation is encouraged with casual belts in grey, navy, or dark brown, as they tend to match well with various outfits.
4. Leather Belts: The article suggests having at least one brown and one black leather belt as essential wardrobe staples. The formality of the belt depends on the buckle and width. Brushed metal or dull copper buckles give a more casual vibe, suitable for jeans and sneakers, while polished silver or gold works better with dark denim and dressier shoes.
5. Patterned Leather Belts: Patterned leather belts are considered somewhat formal but can add texture and visual interest to an outfit. Various patterns, such as woven, embossed, or wraparound, are mentioned. The article advises pairing patterned belts with dark, slim-fit jeans, Chelsea boots, or woven loafers, along with a knit blazer for a stylish look.
6. Casual Belts: Casual men's belts encompass a wide range, including woven cotton or elastic options. These belts are recommended for weekend wear, particularly with slim-fit, straight-cut, or relaxed tapered jeans. Personal style takes precedence with casual belts, and the only guideline is to match the width of the belt with the style of the jeans—slim with slim and wide with wide.
In conclusion, mastering the art of pairing belts with jeans involves considering material, width, color, and style, with a keen eye for the overall aesthetic and occasion. Following these guidelines can help individuals make informed choices to enhance their fashion sense and create well-coordinated outfits.
