Article: Men's belts guide
Men's belts guide
This guide covers the essentials: materials, sizing, buckle types and styling. If you’re looking for the latest seasonal belt styles, check out our 2025 Belt Trends Guide.
The humble belt. A simple strip of leather can be used to tie a look together or punctuate it - adding colour and depth. That’s what makes a good selection of belts a must for any gent. Belts are one of those rare pieces of menswear where you don’t have to spend a fortune to get something that feels and looks great. They’re a perfect example of how the smallest details often make the biggest difference.
A belt has the ability to whisper quietly about your assured sense of style. On the other hand, a mismatched belt will draw the eye for all the wrong reasons.
Formal and casual outfits call for different belt styles, and within those, a variety of materials, widths and colours.
- Robert Charles 1720 navy/tan reversible -
Material
When choosing a belt, the material affects both how it looks and how long it lasts. These are the three most versatile and enduring options:
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Leather – The classic choice. Durable, elegant, and appropriate for everything from suits to denim. Full-grain or top-grain leather is best for quality and longevity.
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Suede – Adds texture and softness, great for smart-casual or relaxed looks. Works beautifully with boots, brushed cottons or knits.
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Woven – This includes braided leather and elasticated belts. Braided leather adds texture and detail to casual outfits, while our elasticated belts offer comfort, flexibility, and subtle style. They’re perfect for everyday wear when ease and movement are just as important as refined design.
For formalwear, leather is the only real option — ideally with a smooth finish and minimal detailing. For everything else, a bit of texture or colour from suede or woven belts can add interest without shouting.
Sizing
Belts are traditionally measured from the inner edge of the buckle (where the pin meets the buckle) to the middle hole. This ensures the belt fastens naturally at the center, with enough length to thread neatly through your loops.
As a quick shortcut, you can add three inches to your jeans size (e.g. a 32" jeans usually pairs with a 35" belt). For extra accuracy, check out our Belt Size Guide for detailed methods and charts.
Buckle
Along with the material and width, the buckle of a belt determines how dressy or casual it is. Square brass buckles are the most common for classic leather belts, while D-rings are popular on casual belts for the summer.
Colour
Belt colours don’t stop at black or brown. For leather there are the two classics all men should own but the options are endless. A bold woven belt can be a good way to add a dash of personality to an otherwise subdued outfit and also has the potential to become a feature of your signature style.
Look At Your Feet
The classic rule: match your belt to your shoes in both colour and finish (matte, polished, suede). This is particularly important for formalwear.
Match Your Metals
Pay attention to your accessories — your belt buckle should complement other metals you're wearing, like a watch, ring or cufflinks. It doesn’t have to be identical, but cohesion matters.
Key Belt Styles
Formal
When it comes to finding the right belt to match your tailoring, width and material are the most important factors. A formal belt will be leather and slightly thinner than a casual one. Colour really depends on the shade of the suit and what other leathers you’re wearing. A tan belt and shoes with a navy suit, for example, is a timeless combination that always looks good. If in doubt, though, it’s impossible to go wrong with a black belt and matching shoes.
Casual Leather & Suede
For a smart casual dress code or just basic day-to-day duties a casual leather or suede belt is the go-to option. These tend to be slightly wider than their formal counterparts and buckles can be more elaborate.
Braided Leather
Braided leather belts offer a way to introduce some texture into any outfit and they are comfortable. The webbed construction provides increased flex and stretch allowing for the natural variations in waist circumference. Stick to wearing it with chinos, jeans and shorts and you won’t ever put a foot wrong.
- Robert Charles 1068 black braided elastic -
The Dos And Don’ts Of Buying A Belt
Don’t choose a loud colour or tonal designs if you’re looking for versatility.
Do measure your waist size to make buying belts online easy.
Do pick a belt with a finish or weave that matches the rest of your accessories.
Don’t stick to one belt colour for all occasions. Have a brown, black and tan option to cover most eventualities and dress codes.
Do match the metal of your belt’s buckle with your watch and cufflinks.
