Most, if not all men, do not give a lot of thought when it comes to purchasing belts. If you are one of those men, I'm sure you either only buy belts when it is extremely necessary like when your go-to belt has either broken or has worn out all together, or you don’t buy them at all and use the ones that your loved ones gifted you over the years. Let's face it, men are simple and sometimes buying a bunch of different belts is not on our to do list. But if only you knew how important such an accessory like belts are, you would definitely give it some more thought.
In this blog post we will go over all things belts! No need to worry, by the end of this guide, you are going to learn how belts - a rather insignificant accessory can add so much to your fashion and style when paired the right way!
Topics
- How to choose the perfect belt
- Size of belt
- Material of belt
- Type of buckle
- Color of belt
- Price
- Top 5 belts for you in 2020
Without further-ado let's just dive right into it!
How To Choose The Perfect Belt?
Needless to say, there are tons of belts available in the market. All made up of different materials, unique designs, and whatnot. But here are 5 things you should always check for when finding a belt!
Size of Belt:
- Length:
As simple as it sounds, a length of the belt is the most crucial feature, when it comes to buying a belt. You will be surprised to know that more than half the population still buys belts by the waist size. However, the right way to buy a belt is by always purchasing two sizes bigger than your waist size. This means, if you wear a size 34 pant, it is recommended to buy a size 36 or even size 38 belt.
Why the difference of two sizes?
Well, you wear your belt over the pants, which adds an obvious 2-3 inches to the waist; hence it’s necessary to buy 2 sizes bigger.
While buying a shorter belt will not fit you, buying a longer belt is a serious fashion faux pas! Not only is it painstakingly hard to carry, but it also looks extremely odd when it keeps tucking out at the oddest place.
- Width:
Width is as important as length when it comes to buying a belt. The width determines whether the belt would pair well with casual or formal attires.
The wider the belt, the more casually it can be paired. While the thinner the belt, the more formally it can be paired.
The rule of thumb is that anything above 1.5 inches is a good size for casual dressing, while a formal belt lies between the range of 1.25 inches and 1.5 inches.
Material Of The Belt:
Belts come in a variety of materials ranging from pure leather, canvas, nylon, suede, vinyl to faux leather. Each material has its own charm and value.
Although if you are looking for a belt for formal occasions, then pure leather, also known as full-grain leather, is the way to go!
Although expensive, full-grain leather is the right value for money. It has the perfect shine that adds the right amount of bling to any formal outfit. Unlike other fabric, it ages like fine wine, which means the older the belt, the better it gets.
However, if you are looking other options other than leather you can go with Hextie's Vegan leather alternative.
While if you are looking for casual options, cotton and other synthetic material belts are the best choice. They last longer, are easily washable and are less than half the price of a full-grain authentic leather belt. They can also take up years of wear and tear quite easily. But the only downside is, these materials don't go well when paired with formal attire such as suits and blazer looks. They look good with casuals and daily wear attires alone.
Type of Buckle:
Like material, belts come with a variety of buckles too. From chunkier varieties to thin, delicate ones. From bright and shiny to sober and matte. From minimalistic designs to novelty designs, one can find it all.
It all entirely depends on your taste and fashion sense. The basic, most common type of buckle is a pin buckle, while other types include - clip-on buckle, auto-grip buckle, roller buckle, and many more.
Apart from different functionality, buckles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The general rule of thumb is that the larger the buckle, the more casually it should be worn. While the smaller, more delicate buckles are perfect for formal or dressier occasions.
Color Of The Belt:
Like all accessories, Belts too come in a variety of colors, from neutrals such as brown, black, and grey to funkier and bold colors such as blue, white, and even neons.
The only rule that follows is that neutral colors are made for formal wear. While you can wear neutrals with casual attires as well, never pair funkier colored belts with formals.
Price:
Last but the most important aspect of buying a belt, in fact, is its price. How much are you willing to pay for an accessory that not only keeps your pants in place, but adds tons of style to your outfit as well?
You’ll be surprised to know that you can find belts in between the range of $50 going as high as $1500. Yes, you read that right.
However, in our opinion, you can find the right match for your needs, between $100-200 without compromising on quality.
Top 5 Belts For The Year 2020:
Luxury Belt:
The brilliant Hextie Metale Chromatic Reversible belt evokes a new standard of individuality through this piece of jewelry taking your ensemble to another level. A blend of high chromium and low carbon elements portrayed through an exquisite interlocking hexagonal design comes to life through exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each piece is polished by hand and a limited amount will be release in order to maintain it’s uniqueness.
Price Range: $225 - $300
Croc Belt by Hextie:
The brilliant Hextie Metale Chromatic Reversible belt evokes a new standard of individuality through this piece of jewelry taking your ensemble to another level. A blend of high chromium and low carbon elements portrayed through an exquisite interlocking hexagonal design comes to life through exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each piece is polished by hand and a limited amount will be release in order to maintain it’s uniqueness.
Price Range: $225 - $300
Formal Belt by Hextie:
This Metale Cappuccino Luxury Belt is the right belt for all your office wear needs. The belt can be worn both ways because it is reversible. This two in one belt is worth the price considering you are getting two for one.
Price range: $225 - $300
Casual Belt:
This Tommy Hilfiger braided belt in hues of blues and blacks are the perfect piece to add to your collection of belts. A perfect fix for a night out with the boys! Works great even on a date night, when paired with jeans and a blazer!
Price range - under $50
Fit For Formals Belt:
Although pricey, this Salvatore Ferragamo leather belt seals the deal when paired with any formal outfit! With a palladium plated buckle and shiny, full-grain leather, it is sure to add ten folds to any formal outfit.
Price range - under $ 800
