A good belt is an accessory that many men and women take for granted. Using these belt-buying guidelines can help take the guesswork out of clothes shopping. Measuring for correct size, pick your style and buy a belt that will last for years.
Find several pairs of pants that you are likely to wear with the belt. Look at the inside tag to determine what the waist size is. For example, it may list 30 x 32 inches, in which case 30 inches is your waist size.
Measure your waist with a fabric measuring tape if your tag is missing or doesn’t list the waist size in inches. Wrap the tape around your mid-section, right where your belly button is. Read the measurement at the point where the tape meets to find out your waist size.
Use a mirror to make sure the measuring tape is completely horizontal when you measure it.
If you are a woman who likes to wear your jeans slightly lower, you may want to measure your waist several inches lower.
Measure your favorite jeans in the same way to get a good approximation of size.
Add two inches (5cm) to your waist measurement to get your belt size. The belt length is measured from the buckle to the center hole. This gives you plenty of wiggle room for different styles of dress.
If your waist size is 30 inches (76cm), your belt size is 32 inches (81cm).
The width of your belt is determined by the type of belt that you're going to wear.
Casual belts are typically 1.25 to 1.5 inches (3.18 to 3.8 cm) wide.
Dress belt are typically 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) wide, and should never be 1.5 inches or more, as that is too casual.
Match the color of the belt to the shoes that you wear most often. Brown, tan and black are the most common belt colors. They are also typical colors of leather.
Generally men’s shoes and belt should match.
Women may choose to match shoes, belt and other accessories, or use a contrasting color.
Choose a buckle with a tongue, unless you want a military style belt or a braided belt. A tongue buckle allows you to slip a piece of metal through a belt hole to secure it. A military-style belt is usually cloth with a sliding latch.
A military belt is usually bought in a generic size and then trimmed down to the appropriate length at home. Don’t forget to heat seal the ends with a lighter after you cut your belt to length.
A braided buckle does not need belt holes, since you can slip the tongue inside of the braided strips of leather.
Opt for leather for general use. Leather or vegan leather is made to stand up to regular wear and tear for years. It can be treated with polish to condition the leather as it ages.
Fake leather is likely to wear out before treated leather.
Consider matching the metal color of the buckle to the color of your watch. You can go a step further and match it to your cuff links or wedding ring as well.
If you are looking for a very specific type of belt and not having much luck, you might consider making the belt yourself.
Wear the pants that you wear regularly to the store to try on a belt. This will help you account for belt loop size and get an accurate fit.
Try on the belt in several sizes if you aren’t sure the fit is perfect. You should secure the belt with the center hole. If it is in one of the last holes, you will not have room to adjust it after a big meal.
Go to a leather shop to get a tailored belt. If you can afford the expense, buy a belt that can be repaired and treated in the future. If not, leather belts are sold at many regular clothing stores.
Understand that belts will be more expensive than jeans or shirts. They should be on par with shoes or watches. They are items that can be worn for many more years than normal clothing.
For this same reason, if you are unlikely to wear a belt again, choose one that is inexpensive. Save the money for a belt you will wear regularly.
Shop online or in a store. A store will be able to guarantee fit, but you might be able to find better deals for your favorite brands online.
Ask about a return policy. Take the belt home and try it on with all of your favorite pants or jeans. If it doesn’t fit through the belt loops, take it back for a different model.
Should men tuck in T-shirts with a belt?
It depends. If you are wearing long pants, you may. Do not tuck in with shorts. In a more casual setting, people won't care if your shirt is tucked, but in a more professional environment, it looks better tucked.
To buy a belt, start by measuring your waist with fabric measuring tape to get your correct belt size. Wrap the tape around your midsection, where your belly button is, and use a mirror to make sure the measuring tape is completely horizontal. Next, read the measurement at the point where the tape meets, and then, add two inches to your waist size to get your belt size. For example, if your waist is 30 inches, your belt size is 32 inches. For more tips, including how to pick a belt that matches your style, keep reading!
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