A men's belt is an accessory that showcases the owner’s style and accentuates his taste. It comes in various materials and colors, with additional decorative elements, buckle size, and color also being important considerations. It’s no wonder that the seemingly simple process of choosing a belt can actually be quite challenging. That's why we've created a special mini-guide to answer all the main questions.

How to Choose a Belt for Formal, Business, and Casual Styles?

As is often the case in men's fashion, a belt combines both aesthetic and practical functions. It not only keeps pants at the right place on the waist but also reflects the owner’s status. A key tip is to make sure it matches at least two elements of the outfit: the color of the clothing, the color and material of the shoes, or the tones of other accessories (like a briefcase or tie). These are the basic principles of a formal look, which are essential to follow.

When choosing shoes and a belt, favor classic models rather than fleeting trends that quickly go out of style. Here are some important recommendations for always picking the right suede or leather belts:

• For a suit, choose a muted color, ideally black or dark brown.
• The buckle should be understated, and its color (silver or brass) should match cufflinks and/or a watch.

What About Smart-Casual Style?

Smart-casual calls for a balance between formal and everyday style. In this case, you can have more freedom, though the principle of color matching should still be observed. Experimenting with bright colors is allowed. For example, if your watch strap is colored, wear it with light clothing as a background.

How Long Should a Men's Belt Be?

The belt’s length, typically between 85 and 115 cm, corresponds to sizes 34 to 46. The length is measured from the central hole to the buckle. A belt that is too tight pulls at the stomach, which not only looks unappealing but also creates discomfort. To find the right belt, measure your waist circumference and adjust it to your needs. A belt that's too long will hang loosely, which can look less elegant.

Since most belt models have an odd number of holes, aim for the middle hole (usually a third from the belt's end). This allows flexibility for small weight changes without needing to buy a new accessory.

• For classic pants, an ideal width is 3-3.5 cm. Wider belts are acceptable for jeans.
• Another point of etiquette is the side on which a man’s and woman’s belt is worn. Traditionally, men wear the buckle to the left, with the free end on the right, whereas women’s belts are the opposite.

6 Key Mistakes When Wearing a Belt. Avoid Them at All Costs!

1. Shoes and belt in different colors in formal styling, like a brown belt with black shoes.
2. A belt without a buckle in a formal style paired with a business suit. Avoid decorative buckles in the shape of animals, birds, or brand logos.
3. Mismatched accessory sets, like a gold watch with a silver belt buckle and cufflinks with colored stones.
4. Pants fastened with a belt that’s too high or too short, visually shortening the legs.
5. Belt color that doesn’t match gloves (in winter styles) or a briefcase and tie (in business looks).
6. Wearing a single black leather belt for all styles. Just as there’s no one pair of shoes that fits every outfit, there’s no universal belt. A classic black leather belt won’t suit shorts. The more shoes and clothes of different colors we have, the more belts we should own.

Knowing these tips will help you always pick an accessory that complements your style.