Most men know why they wear a belt – after all, it’s one of the most functional parts of their wardrobes. But a belt is more than just a tool to keep your pants from falling to your ankles.
Belts can also serve a key fashion role, especially when worn with the right clothes, colors, etc. Your belt says a lot about you and we think belts are an important enough subject that we want to devote this article to the best belts for men.
Choosing the right belt starts with the basics and finishes with your style and taste. It also includes a bit of common sense – as with any buying decision – but let’s begin at the start:
A belt’s length is among the most important considerations you’ll need to make. As a general rule of thumb, select a length that’s one size larger than your waist (i.e., the waist size you use to choose pants). Others say you should choose a belt length that’s two, or even three s1izes larger than your trouser waist size.
In any case, selecting the appropriate belt size must take into account how much extra belt length – or “tail” – is left once you’ve fastened your belt. A tail that’s too long isn’t a desirable look, especially with dress pants. You can go a bit longer with a casual belt, but don’t overdo it.
Finding the right belt length is easier if you’re shopping in a store because you can wrap the belt around your waist to get a pretty good idea if it’s too long or short. Shopping for a belt online is a bit more complicated and, again, you should choose a length that’s one or two sizes more than your waist size.
Width is particularly important when choosing a dress or casual belt (we’ll discuss the differences in a bit). Casual belts tend to be wider and less formal.
A belt is meant to hold your pants up – we’re forever grateful for that – while the buckle is what secures the belt. That said, there are a few common styles of buckles:
Most belts fall into two categories – dress or casual. Which one you choose depends on your clothes and the occasion. You won’t find many belts that are suitable for both dress and casual occasions, but there are some, including a few on our list.
Dress belts, as their name suggests, are more formal than casual belts. You’ll typically wear them with suits and other classier apparel, and you should keep a few things in mind when purchasing a dress belt.
Casual belts, as mentioned, tend to be wider than dress belts and range in width from 1 ¼” to 1 ¾.” The width of belts commonly worn with jeans is 1 ½.”
Black, brown, and tan are the most commonly-used belt colors. Your belt should match your shoes, particularly in a more formal setting; at the least, they should be a close match, if not an exact one.
You’ve undoubtedly heard of the Tommy Hilfiger brand by now, after all, it’s one of the leading designer lifestyle brands. The TH list of products is long indeed and includes men’s and women’s sportswear, footwear, but also watches, eyewear – and belts.
Their men’s reversible belt aptly represents their brand’s quality and, in our minds, is the best belt you can buy in 2019. It’s reversible (with brown and black colors on the two sides) and classy enough to wear in both formal and more casual occasions. And, being reversible, you’ll get a lot of use from it because it’s easy to match to your wardrobe. It also has you covered whether you wear a dark suit or khakis.
The Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Reversible Belt is made of 40% leather, 40% vinyl, and 20% polyurethane. The material is durable and has the flexibility that makes it comfortable to wear from the start. It also has a smooth, well-finished look that, again, makes it suitable for a variety of occasions.
The buckle is the traditional single-prong style in which you run the belt through the buckle opening and secure it by fitting the metal prong into one of the belt’s holes. The buckle has a polished look, and is stable and easy to use. The belt’s width is 1.25-inches.
What’s a belt without holes, right? Well, a Dante Men’s Leather Ratchet Dress Belt, for one, because it uses a removable buckle and 38 unique adjustments that make it easy for you to get the most comfortable fit possible.
Plus, some men prefer the look of a belt without holes because it, among other things, provides a more custom appearance. To each his own, but you may want to give the Dante men’s leather ratchet belt a try if you’d like a “different” look, and a belt that allows you to adjust to your waistline as needed. In other words, you’re not limited to one-inch adjustments as with other belts.
There’s a lot to like about Dante’s belts because they represent form meeting function. They combine expert construction and craftsmanship with a contemporary style that fits well for formal occasions. Their men’s ratchet dress belt features:
The men’s leather ratchet belt consists of leather and polyurethane that repels moisture, enables the belt to breathe easily, as well as age gracefully.
We also like that Dante backs up your purchase with a full guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with one of their belts, you can return it for a full refund or a free replacement.
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