There is a recent argument that belts are unnecessary and that if your pants fit properly, you should not need one. However, many of the accessories for menswear may be viewed as excessive. For example, why bother wearing a watch when your phone can accurately tell the time? Why even bother wearing jewellery if it has no purpose?
Even though a belt shouldn’t be required to keep your pants up, like many of the best men’s accessories, their value goes beyond simple functionality. Regarding menswear, high-quality mens belts are frequently the cherry on top, the perfect finishing touch, and accent to a classic look. What style should you purchase, though? Should it be made of canvas or leather, braided or plain?
Styles of Wearing Belt
Despite the recent decline in their use, possibly in line with the increase in casualwear, they are still an essential component of modern menswear. For example, belt loops are still typical for most pants and jeans. Furthermore, given the wide variety of belts available now, there is no reason to associate wearing one with your school days.
A well-chosen belt can dress down a suit, smarten up a pair of jeans, or add a touch of the 1950s to a couple of chinos and a shirt, depending on the look you’re going for. While a belt shouldn’t prevent your trousers from falling to your ankles, holding them properly can give some stability, which is especially useful for high-rise jeans that sit above the waist.
If you like your leathers to match, a belt can be the finishing touch you’ve been waiting for. Brown boots and denim look well with a waxed belt for a more workwear-inspired look. For instance, a simple, matte-leather black belt would go great with a pair of black boots. Simple clothing combinations benefit from a belt’s difference, which can elevate an unremarkable appearance to something beautiful. But which style should you pick?
Types of men’s belts
In general, belts fall into two categories: formal and informal. Let’s look at how these belts differ and how each type should be worn.
Formal Belts
Without many exceptions, formal belts are similar to one another and share specific traits.
Buckle Type
The frame-style buckle, which allows the strap to pass through the frame, is a feature that practically all formal mens belts have. The buckle’s prong is put through openings in the waistband to fasten the belt. The hook of a standard belt is often sleek and polished, gold or silver in colour, and flatter and narrower than those on casual belts.
Strap Width
More formal belts should be thinner and between one and fifteen inches wide. The most excellent belt for a tiny man with a waist under 34 inches is on the 1″ side of things.
Strap Colour/Pattern
An understated and understated addition to one’s clothing is what a formal belt should be. It should have a firm, smooth, and frequently sheeny surface with only a faint pattern. The two most common colours used for dress belts are black and brown. Other colours at the smart-casual end of formal belts include oxblood, tan, navy, grey, and white for summer.
Casual Belts
Unlike formal belts, casual belts come in a far more extensive range of styles, patterns, and colours and can be worn to showcase your unique sense of fashion.