Should a men's belt match with shoes? Women's belts and belts - how to choose and wear Which belt for jeans to choose

The men's wardrobe is not as enchanting as the women's. Still, the strong half of humanity for the most part is distinguished by restraint in addiction to all kinds of excesses. Almost all wardrobe items have slightly different requirements - style, practicality, reliability. The variety of colors and designs in men's wardrobe is not intended to impress the imagination of others. Moreover, every little detail of the image should tell about all the advantages of its owner.

But even the most conservative man these days tries to be stylish, and a lot of attention needs to be paid to accessories. The belt has long been considered a sign of nobility. Today it is associated, in addition, with presentability, stateliness and many more characteristics that speak of status.

But statuses are different, so the question of how to choose a men's belt, with what to wear it, is fundamentally important. Modern men understand that the belt is needed not only to hold the pants. First of all, it allows you to express your individuality, understanding the need to look stylish and tasty.

"Golden" rules for choosing belts

The first rule is that if you think there is no need to follow the rules, you are mistaken. This question is scrupulous, one might even say delicate, therefore, you will have to familiarize yourself with the "golden" rules on how to choose a belt. Moreover, they will have to be fulfilled!

Not a single self-respecting man will allow himself to wear a not very expensive belt under an expensive suit. This rule also works in the opposite way;

A belt and suspenders are two irreconcilable opponents who will never get along in one image. However, there are exceptions, but they have nothing to do with a modern stylish, respectable, status man;

Some stylists call it bad manners to wear products that are less than 5 cm wide if a man is over 25 years old. But there is another camp of fashion connoisseurs who consider such rules almost prejudices. In this matter, rather, the appearance of the owner of the accessory, his image is more important;

Mixing styles is an extremely daring decision. If we are talking about business style, then, probably, even unacceptable. Therefore, the accessory must match the style of your clothes, especially if it is business;

A jeans label is not a belt loop! It is not just not necessary to thread a denim belt under it - it is strictly forbidden; - With wide jeans, fashion experts recommend wearing narrow belts, and here is the time to remember that, in the opinion of many of them, age has absolutely nothing to do with it;

Pay attention to the texture of the products. As soon as you need to combine them, first of all, with accessories, shoes, then in matters of texture you should be guided by them. It should be borne in mind that there should not be too many “finicky” textures in the image. For example, suede shoes should be matched to a suede belt, but then the bag should be made of a different material. By the way, it is shoes in such combinations that are the preferred second half of a duet with a belt;

If a man's solidity is confirmed by the constitution of his body, he should wear wide accessories. This also applies to representatives of the stronger sex, who consider themselves not tall enough - the products will help to visually become taller;

The belt does not need to be tightened too much.

Types and styles of belts

There are not so many of them, and their differences make it possible to understand which product is most suitable for which image.

Classic options. They are distinguished by the severity and conciseness of lines and design. Such products, as a rule, are one ton, their ends are rounded, and decorative elements are practically absent. As the latter, the maximum can be lacquered metal buckles (silver or gold) and a stitch, the color of which differs from the main color of the product. The strict classics do not accept any logos, drawings, other images on the belt and its buckle. By the way, there is a tendency that the size of the buckle is inversely proportional to the official image of the image. A classic belt is recommended to be worn with a classic, business suit. It can be made of good quality leatherette, suede, leather. The color of the accessory should be calm, discreet - as a rule, these are dark tones - brown, black. These options should be combined with a bag or shoes.

Here's a good example of this combination:

Casual belts are an excellent choice and wide enough to create an informal style. In order not to philosophize slyly, everything that does not correspond to the canons of the unshakable classics, men refer to this particular style. They can be combined with many types of clothing, but not in a business, classic style. The design of such products is a huge field of activity and the embodiment of the fantasies of their creators. They give the owners almost complete freedom of action when creating an image (but you still need to know the measure).

This combination looks stylish and original:

And more daring, but no less interesting would be this option:

No matter how much men strive to be laconic when talking about fashion trends, it is worth mentioning some sub-styles of casual:

Sports belts. Rubber, fabric, rubber, etc. - all of these products are suitable both for a sporty style and for wearing with jeans and other informal styles. You need to wear a sports accessory taking into account an important rule - they must be hidden under a sweater, shirt, T-shirt;

Everyday accessories. Their variety is huge - they can have a different texture, color, material from which they are made.

For example:

There are also universal products, the design of which allows them to be woven into both business and everyday style.

How to match the color of the belt

There are few rules here, but they must be followed unquestioningly.

The color of the belt should be the same color as your shoes or bag. The products may not match in color up to half-tones, but they simply must be kept in the same range.

For example:

If you prefer a sporty style and want to emphasize it, provide a color contrast between the belt and trousers;

If you wear a watch, you should match the color of the belt with the tone of its strap (or dial), and the color of the buckle with the tone of tie clips, cufflinks, and other metal accessories. In this case, the wedding ring does not count;

In choosing the color of the buckle, you can be guided by what color of clothes you wear the belt with. Silver buckles go well with black, blue, gray tones, while warm colors - green, brown, red - are in harmony with golden details;

For jeans made in the blue range, a brown belt should be selected. If you stop at the black version, it will not be bad manners, but the claim to originality is not appropriate here either. A light shirt and a jacket with wide lapels will fit very well into this "ensemble";

Many men prefer solid colored belts, but other options can be used.

For example, in this way:

Regardless of what color your accessory is, when combining it with shoes, you need to take into account that if the latter is glossy, then the belt should be like that. This also applies to matte products;

Usually, the belt does not match the color of the trousers - it is better if it will be combined with other accessories. But if you want to appear taller, you should not create a clear contrast between the trousers and the belt.

We select the length of the belt

This is a very important criterion that must be considered when choosing a product to buy and donning for a particular occasion. You can determine the required length of the accessory taking into account your size.

The simplest calculation algorithm is as follows:

Measure your waist;
Add about 10-15 cm to it. This value will be the length of the belt that you need.

It is important to take into account one point - the size of the "tail". It should not be too short, otherwise it may seem that you have grown from this belt. But it shouldn't be too long either.

The best option is a "tail" that does not reach the second belt loops of trousers or jeans. This also applies to versions with adjustable lengths and models with non-adjustable lengths.

If you are guided by your size, then the length of the belt is determined taking into account the fact that it should be a couple of sizes larger than the size of trousers or jeans.

A men's belt is a very important accessory, which is entrusted with a number of important functions, therefore, you need to carefully choose with what, how to wear it.

Readers still visit with enviable regularity, I can't help but continue the cycle of "program" posts. So today we have basic rules for accessories in a classic masculine style.

Part 1. Shoes and belt

In the case of footwear, I want to note that it got into "accessories" by accident, since it is an independent subject worthy of many other, more detailed posts. And yet, in order to avoid the most basic mistakes, it should be mentioned that in the classic men's style (when worn with a suit or unpaired jacket), only the following shoe models are assumed:

Oxfords- shoes with closed lacing. What is "closed lacing", in fact, is not so difficult to understand. Look at the area under the bottom lace. On Oxfords, it is closed with a seam, from which it got its name. Below you will see the difference with the open lacing.

Oxfords are the most formal, full suit. Wearing a tuxedo varnished Oxfords, wearing them with less formal outfits is highly undesirable.

Derby- shoes with open lacing. Here we see that there is no seam under the lower lace, the two halves, connected by laces, are stitched “over” the shoe. That's the whole difference.

Derby is a slightly "lightweight" option in comparison with Oxfords, nevertheless retaining a touch of formality. Can be worn with a suit, and with an unpaired jacket, and in smart casual style. It is with derbies that designers most often experiment - you can find them in suede, with a contrasting sole, etc.

The key difference between Oxfords and Derbies is beautifully illustrated by this picture:

(derby on the left, oxford on the right)

I want to note that, Oxfords cannot be opposed to brogues... Brogueing is just the presence of perforation on the shoe (there are different degrees of it - full brogues, half brogues, quarter brogues). Indeed, Oxfords are more often produced without perforation, but this is not at all necessary, you can easily buy for yourself oxford brogues... Because "oxford" only means the principle of lacing. Myth busted!

Monkey- an excellent choice for those who like the classics, but are tired of too traditional models. Here, instead of lacing, one to three metal buckles are used. The most common option is two. Monks are perhaps a little more extravagant shoe than derby, and certainly more extravagant than Oxfords. Nevertheless, monks will look great not only with unpaired jackets, but also with dark suits.

Loafers- an informal version of slippers without lacing (thanks to this, it got its name from the word "lazy"). Along with topsiders (below), the closest to smart casual model of classic shoes. Whether to wear loafers with a suit is a debatable question. Most of the men in the Google pictures could answer yes, but I'm not prepared to claim that as absolute truth. But an unpaired jacket / shirt will undoubtedly look great with them.

Topsiders- favorite footwear of American preppy, a model for warm seasons, worn without or with invisible socks. Not to be confused with moccasins- topsiders have thick grooved soles (originally intended for yachting so grip was the determining factor) and are generally stiffer in construction. Moccasins softer, and their soles are often covered with "pimples" (the most classic version in English is called "driving shoes", because it is designed for comfortable driving). You definitely won't wear boat shoes with a suit, but they will look interesting.

Sneakers, trainers, work boots and any other footwear out of this list combined with a "suit" style is no longer a classic, but fashionstatement. Avoid this whenever possible.

Now about the belts. In principle, it is enough to know the basic rule:

The color of your belt should match the color of your shoes. Black shoes - black belt. Brown shoes - brown belt. No options.

The same applies to your watch strap if it is made of leather.

NB: This rule does not necessarily work insmartcasual style with its multicolored boat shoes, knitted belts, etc.

The traditional approach to style assumes that what at the less decorated the belt, the more formal it is. The usual width of a "suit" belt is 3-4 centimeters, a "denim" one - respectively, more. In my opinion, the width of a belt should be determined not by axiomatic numbers, but by the proportions of its owner. For balancing a thin and tall figure, a slightly wider belt will be preferable, for a stocky and plump figure, on the contrary, narrower. The belt loops (belt loops) will also help you navigate - it is desirable that the width of the belt is about the same as that of their holes.

Do not do like this

And here is a rule that can be completely elevated to the absolute: give up the decorative buckle... No logos, prints or engravings. A regular-shaped buckle, in turn, should not be too massive and attract undue attention to itself if you wear it with classic-style clothes.

Also pay attention to whether your belt is too long or too short.... Its optimal length is 2-3 free holes from the edge when closed. If the belt is longer, it is advisable to shorten it in the workshop.

Jeans are a popular daily wear. In one hundred and fifty years, they have gone from cheap uniforms to catwalk, designer models, having engendered a certain culture of using belts.

Peculiarities

The fabric "jeans", which was born in Europe, quickly found its admirers all over the world. A little later, American industrialists produced a similar material of increased strength, wear-resistant, using local cotton. In contrast to the trouser, the fabric has a diagonal weave "jean" (a kind of Genoese boomazeya). The prototype of modern jeans appeared thanks to the emigrant from Germany Levi Strauss and the tailor Jacob Davis. Trousers got an impetus for everyday wear during the screening of films about courageous men, the spread of the "hippie" subculture.

Soon they came to the attention of famous designers and became a significant part of their collections. Today there are many styles and colors of accessories, the assortment includes men's, women's, children's jeans models. They are worn by the poor and the rich, politicians and people of the arts, which is an indisputable proof of their popularity all over the world.

The belt, as an integral part, is a functional part for supporting the trousers, a stylish element, always in sight, emphasizing the sense of taste of its owner.

photos

Materials (edit)

A belt is a popular and practical addition to a "casual" set of clothes, suitable for everyday wear with jeans, acts as a self-sufficient accessory, and sometimes performs a decorative function. This category is distinguished by a variety of types: from classic to extravagant. A variety of materials, fasteners, badges, rivets makes it possible to choose the appropriate option for the image and mood.

Models of belts for jeans made of genuine leather occupy a special place... The leather of cattle is considered to be of high quality. Products made of pork skins are more elastic, they are used in the accessory instead of lining, finishing on the back side. A similar addition to the look can be seen in brushed and embossed leather. Natural material lends itself easily to pressing, due to which a smooth or patterned surface is obtained: dusty, checkered, crocodile-like, braided and others.

Textile belts (i.e. fabric)- one of the strongest and lightest types, ideal for summer, the variety of their model range allows you to choose something original and attractive. The fabric used for sewing is popular with modern designers. In operation, such accessories do not stretch, do not lose their shape and size, and are easy to clean.

Leather substitute belts remain at the peak of popularity and are becoming more and more in demand. The variety of colors and textures is achieved due to the simplicity of leatherette processing during its production. Modern technologies adequately compete with genuine leather, sometimes it is impossible to externally distinguish what material the belt is made of.

The belt for jeans is distinguished by an unusual design, woven from braid. Such products look good in gray, complemented by a buckle. Today there is the widest selection of jeans belts made of nylon, rubber, polymers, gro-gro tape.

Color solutions

It will not be difficult to choose a belt for jeans in color, for both men and women, preferably in tone with at least one detail, so that the fashionable image acquires harmony and style. Blue, turquoise paints in the accessory popular in the summer season, are suitable not only for blue jeans, but also for white, black, pink colors. A snow-white, beige, gray blouse and light blue shoes will complement the set.

Jeans with a white belt regardless of its width, they look very stylish. Combined with other details of the same color, it refreshes and emphasizes the image.

Fashionistas cannot do without a black belt, as it is versatile and friendly with a wide variety of trouser colors, especially in sets with dark jackets, coats, and blouses.

Brown belts of various shades are the favorite color of the couturier. Its combination with the blue of denim fabrics unites other items of the outfit.

Shades gray tones will go well with light jeans, and in combination with blue they will look fresh and modern. The set will be supported by bright shoes of various colors in the form of sandals, ankle boots, sneakers.

Do not go out of style with women leopard colors of the accessory. Blue fabric and a cat print soften the feminine look. Such a belt will harmonize well with red details.

Admirers of bright colors will not give up red belts. In order for the belt not to stand out, you need to choose a partner in the details (bag, shoes, print on clothes) in the kit, which will balance the bow.

Romantic women will pay attention to a fuchsia or pink belt. They will liven up clothes in discreet colors.

How to choose?

In order for the chosen belt to fit perfectly and correspond to the canons of fashion, some rules must be taken into account when selecting.

When choosing the width of the belt, it is advisable to take into account the peculiarities of the figure: wide - visually shortens the length of the legs, thin - lengthens them. People who are not tall should choose a narrow belt. For jeans, it is better to purchase a belt 3.5-4 centimeters wide, with a large buckle, not tightening too tight, since the folds that appear will give out extra pounds.
Natural leather accessories look more respectable. The belt should be stitched along the edge with a quality stitching, have a dyed rib and sufficient rigidity.
It is convenient to buy a strap with an additional length that allows you to adjust it to the girth of the waist or hips, without distorting its model; a properly selected belt, threaded into the belt loops, cannot have a dangling free end.
Following the recommendations of the stylists, for women - with blue denim trousers of various styles, a belt with embroidery, inserts of jewelry and rhinestones will look, while there is an opportunity to try options for a base made of synthetics or fabric. A braided strap made of thread, rope, or leather cord goes well with black jeans.

Popular brands

There are many popular brands of belts. Jeans had a significant influence on their development, and today every new, seasonal collection is accompanied by a series of belts. Some of the most famous manufacturers are Hugo Boss, Armani, D&G, Just Cavalli, Wrangler, Bikkembergs, Diesel, Levi’s, Lee.

Italian brand of belts Armani Jeans- recognizable and loved all over the world, trustworthy. Design, practicality, functionality, color are recognized by connoisseurs of fashion and style. In the production of accessories, natural leather, textiles, polyester are used in classic, casual and double-sided models. Alternatively, belts with sew-on and detachable buckles are available.
American Accessory Models Levis They are distinguished by a branded buckle and special leather dressing. They are conservative, have a standard width, some pieces are decorated with stitching along the edges, rivets, embossed lines, and on many buckles you can see a couple of horses stretching non-tearing jeans by both legs.
Indian style is still relevant Dolce & Gabbana, despite the fact that it was developed many years ago, the company is in no hurry to experiment, adheres to traditions and will be relevant as long as we wear denim.

How to do it yourself?

It is enough just to make a belt yourself, just taking a measurement of the place where you would like to wear it. Usually we focus on the waist, but sometimes accessories are used on the hips and, accordingly, measurements are taken a few centimeters below the waist line.

When choosing a fabric for sewing a belt, it is better to give preference to any durable one: cotton, flax, bamboo or viscose fiber, thick wool, polyester. You will need a strip of material that is longer than the measurement, about 20 centimeters and 12-13 centimeters wide. Having laid out the cut strip face down, you need to bend the right and left edges of the fabric by 1.5 centimeters and iron it with an iron. Folds are sewn with a margin of 1 centimeter so that the edges of the material are not visible in the finished product. This method of connection will avoid rapid wear of the belt. Thus, the lower and upper edges are bent by 1.5 centimeters and ironed out. After that, the strip is laid out face up, the lower and upper edges are sewn together with a margin of approximately 0.5 centimeters.

In this form, the accessory can already be used, but if you want to set a certain style, then you need to modify it and supplement it with a buckle. Today, the fashion industry offers a variety of hardware options, from old-fashioned to cowboy or army, tongue, large or small. A pair of O-shaped or D-shaped rings made of stainless steel, wood, plastic will also serve as a fastener. They must be the width of your belt and the same size. One end of the product is pulled through the buckle or rings and sewn to itself, with a not very tight loop, so that the clamps do not turn and remain in place with the possibility of adjustment. A tongue buckle requires holes at the other end of the strap. It will not be difficult to make them with a sharp knife, scissors or pliers for punching holes, after which, preferably, process the edges of the holes with a buttonhole stitch.

Any belt consists of two parts: a buckle and a belt made of leather or other material. Additional elements - belt loop and tip. A loop secures the free edge of the belt, and the tip protects it from wear. On a leather belt, it is usually metal, on a fabric - leather.

What are the types of belts?

Strict

They differ little from each other. Let's consider their general characteristics.

Buckle

Shiny and smooth, gold or silver color. Usually in the form of a frame. It differs from everyday ones in its smaller size.

Width

Straight belts are always thin. The width should not exceed 2.5–3.8 centimeters.

Material

Exclusively leather. Natural or very good artificial if you are against the use of animal skin.

The most common material is cowhide. She is beautiful and durable. Calf skin is softer and more elastic. Belts made of it are considered especially high quality.

Rare and expensive options are crocodile or snake skin. In a dark color, they are quite suitable for a strict one.

Colour

A strict belt should not draw attention to itself. The traditional colors are black and brown. For a less formal dress code, thick red, beige, dark blue, gray, and white for the summer are also suitable. The surface of the belt should be smooth and slightly glossy, preferably without a pattern.

Combining a belt with a suit

The leather of the belt should match the color and shine of the shoes. And the buckle - with the rest of the metal accessories, except for the wedding ring.

Everyday

When choosing a belt for every day, you can show your imagination. It will reflect your personality and sense of style.

Width

Casual belts are wider than strict ones, usually 3.8-4.5 centimeters. The 3.8 cm wide belt works well with chinos and heavy fabrics. The wider ones can be worn with jeans and loose trousers, combined with a classic or bold buckle.

Colour

Brown is a versatile color for everyday wear. Black belts will not work with khaki jeans and trousers. If you want to add personality to the image, look for bright colors.

What are the buckles for everyday belts?

Frame

On everyday belts, it is larger and more massive than on strict ones.

Buckle-plate

Usually detachable. Most often with an inscription or pattern. Makes the belt longer.

Automatic buckle

There are no holes in a belt with this buckle. The tape is fixed inside the buckle itself.

D-shaped or O-shaped buckles

They consist of one or two rings through which the belt is threaded. These buckles are most commonly found on woven and canvas belts.

Buckle-lock

The opposite ends snap into place like a seat belt. A very practical kind of buckles. Popular among those who lead an active lifestyle.

What material are belts made of?

Leather... Casual leather belts are wider and stiffer. They are usually made from the outer layer of cowhide. On some, traces of scars or marks that were on the skin of an animal during life are specially left.
Braided leather... A good option when you want to subtly refresh your look. Woven belts do not fit suits, but do go well with blazers. The multi-colored belt can be worn in summer with khaki shorts and a polo shirt.
Embossed leather... Such belts will fit well into a simple look, for example, they will go well with jeans with a basic shirt. Don't wear them with flashy clothes. Together they will look too flashy.
Leather combined with tape... A bright and bold option that will help you stand out. Pairs great with boat and golf shoes.
Suede leather... Less wear than leather. For strength, the seamy side of such belts is made of leather.
Braided fabric... A practical material suitable for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. There are colors and patterns for every taste.
Rope... More often found in women's wardrobe, but it is quite suitable for men's clothing. Such belts, for example, are worn by sailors. Usually they are fixed not with a buckle, but with a knot. Such a belt will serve for a long time and will not suffer, even when wet.
Canvas fabric... A metal buckle belt like this is a simple but practical option. Usually it is solid or with a horizontal stripe in a contrasting color.
Vinyl... Bright, bold and cheap. Suitable only for young people, and even then only at a concert. Most often it looks tasteless.

When should you wear a belt?

Ideally with any pants that have belt loops. That is why they are sewn. Without a belt, the image will look casual.

A belt is required with business suits. In a more casual look with an oversized shirt, you can do without it.

If desired, the belt can be replaced with suspenders. They will do the same thing - they will keep the pants in place. Suspenders are especially good for, they visually decrease the volume at the waist. In addition, they will make you appear taller. The main thing is not to wear a belt and suspenders at the same time.

And what to combine the belt with?

The belt can complement your look or contrast with the rest of the details. In the first case, it should match in color with other parts of the suit, for example, with shoes. This is a must for strict belts. For everyday wear, it is enough to combine the color of the buckle with metal accessories. And the color of the shoes does not have to match. For example, it is quite possible to wear brown and beige or beige and white. The main thing is that the belt fits into the image. When in doubt, go for brown.

Another option is a bright or unusual style belt. In this case, build an image around it. Choose solid colors and accessories without patterns. One or two bright spots in the image are enough. Do not forget that this belt will draw attention to the waist. Don't wear it if you're not sure of yourself.

Strict and casual belts can sometimes replace each other. The former are suitable not only for business, but also for stricter sports jackets. Casual ones are combined not only with jeans and shorts, but also with chinos.

When clothing is clearly of a particular style, the belt must match. A strict belt will look out of place with casual pants. It will seem disproportionately thin. And a casual business suit belt will ruin the serious impression you want to make.

How to determine your size?

Measure the circumference of the waistband of your pants. The belt should be 3-5 centimeters longer. Or just measure your old belt.

If you like a belt that is not the right size or the old one is too small for you, do not make new holes yourself. They will stand out noticeably, and the belt itself may break at the puncture site. Take it to the shoe shop.

A stern strap should have a short free end. Only a few centimeters of the belt should protrude from under the fastened buckle - enough to pass through the first belt loop.

So how do you choose a quality belt?

Casual belts can be changed every couple of years depending on fashion or desire. It is better to buy a strict belt for a long time. If you choose a high-quality one, it will serve you for more than a dozen years. A calfskin belt is ideal. It should be soft and flexible.

Bend the strap to check for cracking. Press lightly on the inside of the belt with your fingernail. If a small trace remains, the skin is still soft. There will be no marks on the old hard skin.
Pay attention to the stitches. They should be small, close to each other, without protruding threads.
See if the buckle comes off. A belt with a detachable buckle is more profitable. You can change it depending on the situation.
The brand is not that important. Hardly anyone will notice that you have a designer belt. Quality leather and neatness are more important.

In a man's wardrobe, even if he is a stylish person who follows fashion trends, there are few things that can give an image of exclusivity and originality. That is why it is necessary to thoroughly approach the choice of an accessory.

It should be borne in mind that men's fashion is more conservative in contrast to the impetuous and enchanting women's fashion. The man's wardrobe is updated less often, each item is selected as scrupulously as possible. Let's figure it out how to choose a men's belt.

In the ancient world, the presence of a belt in a man indicated his status, belonging to a wealthy class, money and valuables were stored in it. The belt for the knight was of particular importance - it was a symbol of honor and valor, and the loss of this detail of the image was equated with shame.

Today everyone can buy a belt, showing individuality, a sense of taste and style. The main thing is to understand how to choose a belt and correctly fit the detail into a business or everyday look.

In the modern world of fashion, a belt is more of a decorative detail of an image, since trousers, matched to the size, regardless of style and cut, are kept on the figure without additional details.

Note: any male look is acceptable without a belt, this accessory is not required. However, fashion designers recommend emphasizing individuality, regardless of style, the main thing is to wear a men's belt correctly.

The main types of belts

As a rule, fashion designers distinguish three main type of men's belts: classic, informal (casual) and sporty. It is quite easy to distinguish between belts, just remember a few principles:

belts of the classic group - the form is made in the style of minimalism, the colors are restrained, there are no unnecessary details;
informal group belts - made in a free style, original shapes, bright colors are allowed;
belts of a sports group - made of rubber, fabric or rubber, such belts are selected for jeans or sportswear and must be hidden under a T-shirt or sweater.

Note: the traditional classic belt, as a rule, is leather, of a neutral color, which is in harmony with any color of shoes and clothes, complemented by a modest, small buckle of silver, less often of gold.

Types of belt buckles

The image of a man, regardless of style, assumes restraint, the best choice is a buckle of a simple shape, without unnecessary details. Every man should adhere to the main philosophical direction in clothing - minimalism.

Today, in fashion stores for men's accessories, you can choose a belt for trousers with two types of buckles:

on the back side of the anchor, in this case holes are needed on the belt;
with a clip - the length of the men's belt is adjusted using a special mechanism, there are no holes on the belt.

Note: a distinctive feature of modern models of belts is interchangeable buckles, this is quite practical if you know how wear the belt correctly and store, thereby extending its service life.

Agree that today it is not difficult to find a beautiful, expensive belt, but choosing a belt for a man that meets all wishes is a real challenge. First of all, you need to determine for what purpose you are buying an accessory. If the belt is going to perform the simplest function of supporting the trousers, perhaps all the expert advice will not be required. But, if you want the belt to become an exquisite accessory and adorn your wardrobe for a long time, take into account certain nuances.

- Determine what style of clothing the belt is suitable for - it can be a universal product or a belt for a specific image.

- Before looking for a belt, measure the width of the loops on your trousers so as not to buy a belt that is too wide by mistake. It is also necessary to measure the waist - this is a fundamental criterion when buying an accessory.

Another important criterion for choosing leather for a belt is its quality. A universal rule that applies to all things is that a product made of quality material looks stylish and will last longer.

the belt material should be soft, after the surface is creased, no cracks or dents remain on it;
gently run your fingernail along the inside of the product, a small mark will remain on the high quality product, otherwise the skin is old and the belt will have to be thrown away rather quickly;
look at the product for protruding threads and unstitched sections;
if the belt is made of artificial leather, its edges will be neatly folded and stitched; for a product made of natural material, the edges are cut off and not processed;
a special film is applied to the surface of the artificial product, which gives the accessory additional smoothness, but during wearing this top layer will be erased, the product will lose its aesthetic appeal;
the buckle should move freely, on a high-quality product the anchor has a rounded edge, this is necessary so as not to damage the clothes;
if there are rivets at each hole, you need to check if the material comes out of the fittings when bent;
all additional parts must be well fixed, the life of the belt depends on this;
Many, when deciding which belt to choose, prefer to purchase a product of a well-known brand, however, in this case there is no need to overpay - if you are convinced that the product is of high quality, feel free to buy it.

Note: the highest quality products are stitched in the middle, but glued belts will delaminate in the future.

How to determine the size of a men's belt

Knowledge about how to choose a belt size for a man will help not only men to buy high-quality and beautiful products, but also women who want to please their other half with an excellent gift.

To find out the size of a men's belt, it is enough to adhere to simple recommendations.

Add two units to your waist in inches. For a 34 "waist, it is best to choose a belt length within 36". This rule is suitable for those who prefer to purchase belts for jeans and trousers in online stores where the American sizing system operates.
If you came to buy an accessory at a regular store, you can find out the size of a men's belt as follows: multiply the waist by 2.54 to convert inches to the usual centimeters. As a rule, for size 38 it is better to buy a belt with a length of 95 cm.
When choosing a good strap, it is important to consider the length of the tail. For a product in a traditional, classic style, it is no longer than a thumb; for a casual style, a longer tail is allowed. In both cases, the free tail must reach the second belt loop.

Note: The safest way to choose a belt that is the right size is to try it on. The optimal solution when the belt is easily fastened to the hole in the central part of the product.

How to wear a men's belt

It is important to remember two rules. Belt and braces are mutually exclusive accessories. You cannot combine these two details in one image. And you don't need to perceive the label on jeans as a loose belt loop.
The most versatile option is a leather belt. A textile belt is appropriate for chinos or cargo. Accessories made of exotic leather and bright colors can accentuate unnecessary attention in the waist area. Large size leather belts for men should be neutral shades and simple from a design point of view. If you are fully satisfied with your appearance, choose belts of bright colors, interesting textures, with original buckles for your everyday look.
If your choice has settled on a product with a woven texture, remember that this is a rather versatile accessory, but only for casual clothes. Formal suits are lost against the background of a bright belt. But suede products are suitable for any style of clothing, but the main thing is to choose shoes to match also suede.
Choosing the right belt assumes a harmonious combination of the buckle shade and additional embellishments. The only exception is a wedding ring. In the ideal look, the texture of the belt is combined with the texture of the watch strap, the shade of the buckle with the shade of the dial.
If your look has to match a strict dress code, it is best to match the tone of the belt with the tone of the shoe.
A great addition to black classic boots is a black leather belt. For everyday style, the combination of the color of shoes and accessories is not necessary, but you should not forget about harmony, it is good if the belt and accessories are in the same color scheme.
If your wardrobe is dominated by matte leather shoes, the belts should also be matte, respectively, glossy products are harmoniously combined with glossy shoes.
It is better for men of short stature to avoid pronounced horizontal stripes in the image, which is why it is better to choose a belt for trousers in the same color scheme.
Many men are afraid to choose a narrow belt for jeans and trousers with wide belt loops. Such an image is allowed if it contains details of the corresponding width - narrow lapels on a jacket, shoes with narrow capes, a narrow tie.
The optimal size of the belt for a man. Width approx. 5 cm, narrower items are suitable for teenagers. The belt should comfortably cover the waist, it is good if this leaves a free edge of 20 cm. The correct size accessory fastens in the middle hole, leaving a few spare holes. If it was not possible to choose a belt for the trousers of the right size, you can buy a product longer and shorten it, often in specialized stores they provide such a service.

Note: if you plan to buy a suit in an expensive, brand store, there is no need to spend a lot on a belt, the belt and clothes will look out of place.

A few words about storing men's belts

It is necessary not only competently choose men's belt for jeans or trousers, but also properly care for the accessory.

If you wear a genuine leather belt on a regular basis, characteristic dents and abrasions may appear on it. To avoid this, it is enough to periodically arrange a "vacation" for him - just hang the belt in the closet unfolded for a while, or you can fold the product into a ring and put it in a drawer.

Do not use a plastic bag to store the belt; free air access is important for the accessory.

When applying perfume, avoid getting the product on the belt, otherwise it may stain. Do not wet the accessory, this will lead to its deformation.

To remove stains or dirt from your belt, it is best to use a special skin care product or wipe it down with soapy water.

Note: if you purchased a really high-quality item, it will serve you faithfully for many years, and every year it will acquire charm, sophistication and individuality. The main thing is to properly store and take care of the accessory.

Let's summarize

It is generally accepted that the belt plays a secondary role in the image of a man. Many men believe that this accessory has only one function - it provides comfortable wearing of trousers or jeans and there is no need to spend time choosing a belt and its combination with other details of the image.

Nevertheless, the variety of colors, textures of men's belts allows you to experiment, show imagination, select belts for different images and styles. Having figured it out, how to choose a men's belt, You can solve the issue of functionality and comfort, as well as diversify your image.