The Basic Belt Guide For Men

Insider PicksJan 14, 2015, 21:08 IST

If you're wearing the wrong belt, you'll really cheapen your entire look. There are three things to remember in order to keep your leather-wear on point. First: your belt should match your shoes. Black shoes means a black belt, brown shoes means a brown belt, etc. You get the picture. Second, the bigger your belt buckle, the most casual the belt is. No one's wearing a Western belt buckle with a nice suit. And third, try and buy soft leather. To test this out, just (lightly!) scratch the back of your belt with a finger nail. If your finger moves easily and leaves a small line, that's soft leather. If your finger gets stuck right away, it's hard leather. If you remember these simple rules, you'll manage to avoid disasters like this:

Here's what you should look for instead.

Black Leather Belt

Insider PicksWhen it comes to belts, black leather belts are the most formal option. Look for a small, non-flashy belt buckle combined with a plain black strap to pull together a suit at the office.

Luxury: $280

Deal: $45.00 $26.99

Brown Leather Belt

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A brown belt is the less formal option. If your office is on the casual side (think: navy blazer, khaki pants, and a button down) then stick with a brown belt. Black would overpower the casual attire, while brown will tie it together nicely.

Luxury: $115

Deal: $26.00 $21.99

Casual Brown Leather Belt

If you really love the whole Western, big buckle look, here is the grown-up, appropriate option. The larger belt buckle on these gives off the casual vibe, the leather has a slightly worn look, and the belts are on the thicker side, making them a great option for jeans and a casual shirt.

Luxury: $195

Deal: $23.49

Fun Summer Belt

And finally, no one's wearing a black leather belt at a summer picnic. In the summer, you're free to experiment a bit with your belts. So if you're wearing shorts, a t-shirt or easy button down, and Sperrys, you can add a pop of color with a fabric belt.

Luxury: $65

Deal: $50

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The Basic Belt Guide For Men