Men’s Belt Guide — 12 Belt Rules Every Man Should Know (2024)

FAQs

Men’s Belt Guide — 12 Belt Rules Every Man Should Know? ›

Avoid wearing a belt that is shorter than your waist or more than 2 sizes bigger than your waist. The appropriate belt length is such that it goes under the first belt loop after the buckle and should go under the second belt loop. To sum it up, if your waist measurement is 36, you should buy a size 38 belt.

The width of the belt should be proportionate to the belt loops on your pants. Generally, belts between 1.25 to 1.5 inches (3.2 to 3.8 cm) in width are considered standard and versatile for most casual and formal outfits. For formal occasions, the thinner the belt the better it will fit in the overall attire.

WAYS TO WEAR A BELT

Men will typically wear a belt counterclockwise, from left to right, with the end of the belt going through the buckle and ending on the left side of the zipper. However, a left-handed man might end up wearing their belt clockwise, from right to left, due to their dominant hand.

The bottom line is that you can and should wear a belt if your suit trousers have belt loops. If they don't have belt loops, a belt is optional and you can omit it from your outfit.

Every man needs at least one formal belt, preferably 2-3 more formal belts if possible. More formal men's belts are usually made from leather or faux leather. They also tend to be skinnier and have a less prominent belt buckle. It's good to have at least one black leather belt and one in brown as well.

Prevent falls from ladders: Keep your body (belt buckle) between the side rails of the ladder. Avoid over reaching to the sides.

We believe that all men should own THREE kinds of belt; formal, smart/casual and the one they never take off their jeans… Let's talk super smart first… These belts should inevitably be slightly narrower in width to fit even the most formal of dress trouser.

Wearing a belt with jeans is recommended but can be skipped, depending on how you feel about your look. The type of buckle you wear with your outfit, as well as if you are wearing skinny belts or not, will also determine the formality or appropriateness of your outfit.

It doesn't matter!

Left or right handed, Male or Female. There is only one way to wear a leather belt and it is all about aesthetics. The belt buckle should be in line with your jean fly. A Belt should always be worn through the left loop first.

Dress belts are a basic requirement unless your pants are perfectly tailored at the waist. A belt makes your suit pants stay in place if and when they become slightly baggy. Even so, you shouldn't use a belt as a crutch for pants that are simply far too loose.

Should I wear belt with jeans? ›

Even if you've got a pair of jeans that fit perfectly, adding a belt is a great way to step up your look with an easy accessory. A leather belt with denim jeans never fails. You can also experiment with any colour or material, from web or canvas to suede.

A black belt is the best belt to wear with suit pants in charcoal, along with black shoes, of course. You could instead choose a dark brown or light brown belt to go with a light grey suit like this, for a somewhat more casual look.

Is it ok not to wear a belt with a suit? Absolutely, though a casual belt should be dropped for a more modern style. Belts are like braces and attract the eye. If you opt to go without, there will be less visual focus on your waistline.

If you're wearing a suit, your belt and shoes should match in both color, leather finish, and texture. Dress shoes also require a belt with a dress buckle. If you have a blue suit with brown shoes… that's a little more difficult. Shoes come in numerous brown tones with very subtle differences.

Brown and black reign as the go-to colors for formal and casual men's leather belts. While a 34mm width brown belt suits both formal and casual attire, black belts aren't the best match for jeans or khakis.

Comfort. The primacy of belts over suspenders can largely be attributed to the perception that belts are not only more useful, but also more comfortable. Many men simply don't like wearing suspenders because they can sit uncomfortably on the shoulder and wrinkle your shirt front.

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.

Some men may choose to wear belts as a fashion accessory or to hold up their pants, while others may prefer not to wear them. It is a personal preference. Some men may also find that belts are uncomfortable or unnecessary.

The most distinctive trait of men's belts vs women's belts is the location of the buckle and belt holes. Men have their buckle on the right with holes on the left, and women wear their belts with the buckle to the left and the holes on the right.

Yes it is totally okay to wear jeans without a belt, especially if you don't like how a belt looks with your jeans. Just make sure you have jeans that are the right size and fit well so they don't fall down to a level you don't want them to be.