Should a men's belt go with shoes? Men's belt (classic and casual): how to choose and wear? How to choose the color of the belt
Any accessories are varied. So, there are several types of belts. The main one is leather. Genuine leather not only looks expensive, it is of excellent quality. This belt will last more than one year. They usually come with a three year warranty.
Casual style has long been prevalent in big cities. Belts in this style are chosen mainly by young people who are tired of formality and classic frames. When choosing a belt for jeans in this vein, do not forget about the variety of modern materials. They can be rubber, plastic, fabric. The main thing in such a belt will be a buckle. It can be small or massive. Sometimes it's just a matte square, but more often it's a fashion brand logo. It is important here that you choose either a real branded belt, or a buckle with no obvious signs of fashion houses. After all, if this is a clear fake, the belt looks ridiculous and cheap.
For lovers of sneakers and unusual T-shirts, there are sports belts. They are usually made from fabric and may feature sports branding. It is a non-staining and practical accessory.
A color scheme
The shade of the belt should be in harmony with other items of clothing. For example, it looks stylish when it matches the color of boots or shoes. The combination of a belt with a bag is also advantageous.
Leather straps can match the color of the watch strap. This nuance is rarely observed, but attentive people immediately notice such a desire for excellence. The plaque on the belt is sometimes matched to the metal of the dial.
To choose a belt for jeans, you need to remember the main colors used. Black and brown shades remain classics. Recently, the red color has gained popularity. It looks vintage and makes the image brighter. This shade looks especially good on blue and blue jeans. White belts, fashionable in the last decade, are no longer relevant.
Light and dark jeans cannot be worn with the same belt. Versatility is not always good. Remember that dark belts should not be worn with light-colored jeans, such as beige, cream, white. This is bad manners.
The choice of a belt for jeans implies compliance with the size. Too long a belt will not work, as its end will hang awkwardly on the belt. The grid of belt sizes starts from 36 and ends with number 52. They correspond to the volume of the hips from 90 to 155 cm.
One of the few accessories that are constantly present in a man's wardrobe is a belt. It turns out that choosing a men's belt is a whole science. This strip of leather most often serves not only to keep the trousers in their rightful place, but also complements your image, making it complete and harmonious. And as ancient people believed, the belt - the prototype of the modern belt - protected the owner from an evil word or evil eye. And the ancient warriors used their wide belts to protect their stomachs. According to the rules of modern etiquette, a belt must be present on your trousers. It is a must-have accessory in a man's wardrobe. It should be noted that if you like to wear suspenders, then the belt will be absolutely out of place in your wardrobe. And, conversely, using a belt, you should not wear suspenders. How to choose a men's belt and not miss, but be satisfied with your purchase?
1. Decide what you will wear your new belt with. Modern belts are divided into two main types: casual and classic. You can't wear a casual belt to a strict business suit. So when choosing a belt, keep the unity of style.
2. It is desirable that the belt matches the watch band, and the belt buckle matches the watch face.
3. For a classic belt, the buckle must be simple, without unnecessary logos or stones.
4. You should choose a men's leather belt not for a suit or trousers, but for shoes. The top of elegance will be a belt that is correctly selected and combined with shoes, not only in color, but also in texture.
5. Too expensive belt requires the same suit. Otherwise, it will look out of place.
6. The belt should be at least four to five centimeters wide. These belts are recommended for men. Narrower belts can be afforded by teenagers and young people, not older than 20 years old.
7. The length of the belt is also an important point. It is very important that the belt covers you with a small margin, but no more than 20 centimeters. If the belt you like is too long, it must be shortened. And you need to do this immediately after purchase.
8. If the men's belt is chosen correctly, corresponding to the size, then it should be fastened in one of the middle holes. When purchasing a belt, be sure to pay attention to spare holes. It is better if you have at least 1-2 holes left in stock.
9. By the way, when choosing a men's belt in a salon or company store, you can immediately make additional holes. Never do this yourself at home. In this way, you reduce the life of the new belt.
10. Modern belts can be made of both leather and leather substitutes and durable fabrics. Don't expect a non-leather belt to last.
In the wardrobe of a modern man there should be several belts - for all occasions.
A classic leather belt should be made only from natural materials of the highest quality. To the touch be soft and have rounded lines, thanks to a special gasket. However, manufacturers often save on gasket materials and insert elastic cardboard instead of genuine leather. Such a belt, unfortunately, is very short-lived.
The belt, made of high quality leather, does not leave creases. It is advisable to purchase a belt that will be stitched around the perimeter. The line, of course, must be perfect. The glued product is bound to exfoliate sooner or later.
Now many well-known brands are producing single-layer leather belts, which are more practical than two-layer padded ones.
When buying a leather belt, you should pull it well by the ends. It should not stretch more than 1.5 - 2 cm. If it does not stretch at all, then it will be very uncomfortable and tight to wear.
The classic leather belt has a width of 4 or 5 cm. The buckle in it is made of a single-color material of good quality, which does not fade or fade during wear.
Belt - casual wear, usually with jeans. It can be made from various materials: fabric, rubber, leather, artificial polymers. The buckle can be of any, the most unthinkable, shape and size. The width of the casual belt is from 2-6 cm. Such a belt cannot be worn with a formal business suit.
Universal belts are suitable for trousers and jeans. Their width is about 3.5 cm.
How to choose the right belt for color and style
The main rule that must be observed when choosing the color of the belt: it must be in harmony with the shoes. Brown shoes and a black belt cannot be worn.
A classic or universal belt is most suitable for a business suit.
A canvas belt will look great with corduroy trousers, however, it is strongly not recommended to wear them with a business suit.
Braided belts will look harmoniously with clothing for leisure. However, you should make sure that the rough texture of the belt does not weigh down the fabric from which the trousers are sewn.
A correctly selected belt should be fastened to the third hole. It is unacceptable to pierce additional holes in the finished product. If the belt is too long, then it must be shortened to normal length. You do not need to do this yourself - the result will not look aesthetically pleasing.
When buttoned, the belt should be threaded through the first loop on the trousers.
All accessories on the belt must be made of high quality materials.
The belt must have two loops. One is fixed near the buckle, and the second - at a distance of the palm from the buckle.
To become stylish, it is not enough to wear fashionable clothes this season. The male image consists of a mass of details, each of which has a huge impact. Our fashion is limited by tradition, standards and often dogma. It's hard to go beyond. Here you need attention to detail - accessories. Neckerchiefs, ties, cufflinks, watches, a pocket square and a trouser belt make the man look unique.
The list goes on, but today we are talking about the belt. Accessory is not as simple as it seems. This is not just a piece of leather or textile with a metal buckle. If you think that it is only needed to support trousers, then you are deeply mistaken 🙂 The variety of materials, design, plate shapes and functions makes the belt an indispensable part. Let's try to decide what kind of belt you need and how to choose it.
How to choose a men's belt
The main thing to remember is that we do not choose a means of supporting pants, but a fashion accessory, the highlight of the image. Therefore, any trousers, jeans or pants should be selected according to size. Clothing should not fall down to the knees without the support of a belt. First of all, we combine the accessory with shoes:
- We choose black belts for black shoes, brown belts for brown shoes;
- The ideal option is obtained by combining a belt, shoes and a watch strap. In this case, the strap may differ, both in color and in design;
- If the shoes are multi-colored, choose a belt in the general range.
The buckle is just as important. If you are not sure, choose a classic shape without inscriptions, patterns and other frills. The silver color is perfect for any outfit.
Pay attention to cost. Cheap pressed leather or synthetics quickly stretch, crack and lose their appearance. It is better to spend money on products made of genuine leather. By the way, belts of domestic manufacturers are quite affordable amounts.
Types of men's belts
It is necessary to choose an accessory based on the style and functionality of the model. It is customary to divide belts into three types: classic (trouser and denim), sports and casual. In our opinion, all of them should be in the wardrobe. Let's figure it out.
Classic trouser straps
It is not difficult to distinguish a classic model from a casual one. Strict products are made of not thick black or brown leather. Plus a strong buckle. Well, colored belts, especially those made of fabric, are definitely made for a casual wardrobe. Some "gurus" believe that wearing a belt with a classic suit is optional. I guess, yes. But the highlight, which distinguishes the shirt and trousers, looks great.
Pay attention to the material. The classic belt can be made from both natural leather and artificial. The standard width is from 3 to 4 centimeters for a trouser model, 4-5 centimeters for a denim model. The buckle is metal or plastic. In classic models, massive, non-standard buckles are not used. Remember, colored belts should not be in this category. Alternatively, you can contact the workshop and get a unique product made to order.
Do not rush to choose, try the product in tension. The belt should not stretch more than 2 centimeters. If it does not stretch, it will not be comfortable to wear. If it stretches strongly, then after a while the deformation will take critical forms.
Since leather belts are usually pressed from two pieces, try bending the product, twisting it slightly. The quality of the connection of the layers will be noticeable.
Casual belt
Everyday models are very diverse. There is no rigid binding to color, shape and material. This applies not only to the base, but also to the buckle. Just be careful with labels. A buckle with words or symbols should be in the subject. Pay attention to the width. Casual models can be wider and reach 5 centimeters. Buy the product according to the size of the loops on the pants.
Now for the buckles. You can choose the classic form. Looks great with chinos or jeans. But unusual buckles are also welcome. The choice depends on your wardrobe. The use of one mechanism or another depends in part on the material of the belt. Clamping buckles are often completed with fabric models. For the skin, this mechanism is deadly. In the case of leather, automatics and semi-automatics will be of interest. You can choose an open buckle or with an anchor. There are no hard recommendations. Decide for yourself. By the way, casual lovers are recommended to take a closer look at the braided belt. Interesting models, combining different materials. This is what makes it unique.
Sports belts
In these products, the functionality is tied to the material. The basis for the manufacture is rubber, rubber or durable fabric. It's nice to have a belt like this. Most importantly, remember that the accessory can only be worn with sports or denim items. In the case of jeans, the belt must be hidden under a T-shirt, jumper or sweater. Never try to wear these belts with dress pants or a suit.
What is the result
Men underestimate the belt. It is believed that it only fits the formal style and performs a utilitarian function. A persistent delusion that must be fought. Try to buy a men's trouser belt. It's better to have several different models. Try different combinations, use all the elements of the wardrobe. Do not miss the opportunity to diversify the image. Good luck with your choice!
In the world of men's fashion, there are very few details that allow you to show individuality. It differs from women's fashion, where there is an opportunity for the soul to roam, for us, for men, everything is subject to standards and traditions. You need to go beyond the classics with close attention to detail. Accessories such as men's watches, ties, pocket squares, cravats, cufflinks, tie clips, suspenders and belts, perhaps, this is an exhaustive list where you can show individuality in business etiquette. It is about the last accessory that will be discussed in this article today.
Is the belt as simple as we think? I'm sure every man has a belt in his wardrobe, but what role does it really play? Is the belt part of the outfit or is it just there to hold up the pants? How to choose a men's belt, if today it can differ not only in color, material, plaque, but also perform different functions for an athlete and a businessman? All these questions and many more will be answered in this guide.
Before we start discussing the types of men's belts and look at the details, it is worth mentioning some general principles.
Choosing a men's belt
Dress pants, jeans, chinos, khakis, or any other pants should not fall off when worn without a belt. Read about how to choose trousers. Both a business suit and any pants should be matched to your physique and complexion. A belt is for the most part a means of enriching your look, image. The function of restraining the pants so that they do not fall off is secondary.
Combine the color of the leather parts of the wardrobe. Black shoes - black belt; brown shoes - brown belt. This is an unshakable rule that must be followed, although some people think otherwise. Even better, combine the watch with a leather strap in the color of the shoes and belt, but it can just be different than the combination of shoes and belt. However, the rule should not be taken literally. If you don't have ordinary shoes, let's say striped, then the color of the belt does not have to be "striped". But, nevertheless, follow the general color scheme.
Black belt - black shoes, brown belt - brown shoes
Pay attention to the belt buckle. If you grew up from childhood, then you should choose a simple classic buckle without Dolce & Gabbana inscriptions on the entire width. Silver color and simple look is the best choice. But we will talk about this separately.
A belt, perhaps, is not the thing that is worth spending money on, unlike a suit, shoes and watches. However, the rule: the better the thing, the better and better it is, it works here too. Belts made from cheap, badly tanned leather or leatherette tend to stretch and crack after a short period of use. Especially if you like to tighten your belt tighter.
Spend some money on a good leather belt and you won't regret it.
Types of men's belts
The belt is not only an accessory that emphasizes the status and delicate taste of its owner, but also a necessary item of men's clothing. All belts that exist today can be divided into three groups - sports, for everyday wear and classic. Designers who create outfits for the strong half of humanity believe that all these varieties of this men's accessory should be present in the wardrobe of a modern man. It's hard not to agree with them.
Classic men's belt
For the most part, separating belts between formal and informal styles is easy. For example, an ordinary black leather belt is not very thick and with a regular buckle will fit under; a colored belt made of fabric is more suitable for.
According to some beliefs, you can not wear a belt with a classic business suit. It is a fact. However, in my humble opinion, using a belt fills in the missing link (line if you will) between shirt and pants. So whether to use a belt in a formal dress code or not, try to decide for yourself.
Classic belts can be made both from leather and from a substitute for this material. The width of the classic belt is 4-5 cm, it is one-colored and has a small buckle made of metal, sometimes painted plastic. The color of the leather belt can be black or brown (depending on the color of the shoe) with a silver or gold buckle. Silver, by the way, is a more suitable color for office work or official events and meetings. The buckle should not be massive, crooked or non-standard. Leave all the "frills" for an informal dress code.
For special and solemn occasions, I think every man should have at least one expensive leather belt. A good belt, according to my observations, can withstand at least 3-4 years (however, like any leather products, belts must be alternated from day to day and let them “rest”, otherwise the belt will not last even a year), but a real, soldier belt, so generally decades =) but this is a completely different topic ...
In order not to make a mistake in choosing a quality belt, you should know that these leather men's accessories are cut off along the edge. At the same time, leatherette products are tucked inward and stitched along the edge. A leather belt always consists of two parts connected to each other during a pressing process.
When buying a leather accessory, you should pay attention to the quality of pressing and the ability of the material to stretch. If the belt practically does not stretch, then some inconvenience will be felt during its operation. You should also not buy a leather product that stretches as if it were made of rubber. Such a belt quickly deforms and loses its original appearance. The ideal option is a belt whose maximum stretch does not exceed 2 cm.
Casual (casual) men's belt
Casual belts, or belts for casual style, are much more varied than classic belts. You are not tied to the form and traditions, so you have more freedom of color, style, material from which the belt is made. The same applies to the belt buckle, but wearing the inscription "I Love Rock-n-Roll" or something like that is still not worth it.
Casual belts are usually slightly wider than classic ones and can be up to 5 centimeters. Narrow belts are recommended for young men, and gentlemen of respectable age should use accessories of the maximum width. As for the buckle, it is also larger than the usual classic to look harmonious with jeans or chinos. The buckle mechanism is also varied. In addition to the simple open buckle, there are anchor buckles on the back or clip buckles. The latter, as a rule, are used on fabric belts, otherwise the leather will quickly deteriorate.
Braided belts are very popular. They are versatile and great for casual style, hinting at individuality. A suede belt combined with suede shoes will make you stand out in any company, be sure!
Sports belt
A little about sports. A sports belt can be made of rubber, rubber or fabric. It is appropriate only when wearing sportswear or jeans. Moreover, in the second case, the belt should be hidden under a T-shirt or sweater. Such a belt says little about a business or casual style, so we will not dwell on it, but leave a detailed story at the mercy of sports blogs and websites.
As a conclusion
Belts are often underestimated. Most people, especially old school people, will be sure that the belt is purely functional and there is no need to combine it with other wardrobe details. However, if you play with the color or structure of the belt a little, try to combine the overall aesthetic and the function of keeping the pants in place, and you will kill two birds with one stone!
The belt deserves your attention. Today, the market offers an infinitely wide range of colors, shades, materials, buckles, so that you can easily find the right belt for your style. Don't miss the opportunity to diversify your image a little!
