A guide to men’s leather belts

Everything you need to know about men’s leather belts

Men have only a few accessories for adding variety to a look, and the belt is one of the most popular. Is it a necessity or a stylish extra? Here we look at when to wear a belt and how to choose the right one.

Can you do without a belt? There is a simple rule: if your trousers have belt loops and your shirt is tucked in, wear a belt. Under a business dress code, a suit should always be worn with a belt, at least when you are going to a meeting or a negotiation. A belt is optional if your shirt is untucked or the waistband is covered. Some trousers have no belt loops at all, and then a belt is simply unnecessary.

To combine a leather belt well with your trousers, shoes and other clothes, you need to think about three things: material, colour and texture.

How to wear a men’s belt

There are a few rules for wearing a belt properly:

• Wear a belt or braces.
• Never wear both at once.
• A belt below the jeans label is bad style. It should sit above it.
• Don’t fasten the belt on the first or last hole. It doesn’t look good.

Traditionally, the material of the belt is chosen to match your shoes. This matters most if you work somewhere with a strict dress code. A suede belt goes well with suede shoes, for example, and polished boots go well with a smooth belt.

The most common belt colours are brown and black. For a harmonious look, choose a belt and accessories such as a watch strap or briefcase in the same shade. A brown belt suits brown boots, for example, but not a black suit, where black shoes and a black belt are the better choice. In a casual style, your belt can differ in colour from your shoes, but it should then match your clothes and work with everything else you are wearing. It might pick up the colour of your shirt, for example.

If you are looking for a versatile belt to wear with a classic suit, choose a plain, simple one. There are also exotic leather textures such as snake, ostrich and crocodile, which work if your shoes and briefcase have the same colour and texture. Woven belts are also versatile and go with many clothes, from jeans to casual trousers. Don’t combine them with formal clothes, though, as they can stand out too much against a business suit.

The usual advice is to choose the best-quality belt you can afford. A good belt will give you pleasure for years, so the cost pays for itself over your long life together. Not every leather belt is the same. It is best to choose a solid leather belt, which is the highest quality. Look at the edge too, which should be clean and rounded. The leather should be finished with neat seams, and the buckle should match in style and size. If all that is right, you can buy with confidence.

Size chart

There is a standard size chart, where you can find your men’s belt size. Some makers will also punch holes to fit your waist. You can find more information from the maker: https://mergelle.com/en/collections/gurtel

Match your jewellery and your belt buckle

Whatever the style, a man’s look calls for restraint. The best choice is a buckle with a simple shape and no unnecessary details. Minimalism is the most important principle to follow in menswear. Today you can choose between several kinds of buckle. A buckle with a prong needs holes in the belt. On a men’s leather belt with a box buckle and clip, the length is adjusted by a special mechanism and there are no holes. Tip: many modern belts have interchangeable buckles, which is very practical.

Do you need a belt?

Many men feel “naked” without a belt. It is perfectly fine to go without one at the weekend, for example. But when you go to work, don’t leave your genuine leather belt at home, even if your trousers don’t strictly need it. Just choose a beautiful, good-quality belt (or two) that you will want to wear all the time, and don’t think of it as a limit on your freedom. It is one of the simplest ways to complete your look. Now you know how to wear a belt, what to wear it with and why. And of course you can order belts from our website.

A suit belt is a symbol of a man’s style and status. A glance at this accessory can tell you a lot about the person you are talking to, so choose yours with care.