An oft overlooked accessory in every man’s arsenal is the humble belt. With the all important duty of holding a waistband in place, they’re usually worn out of necessity and not always as a style choice.
Well, hopefully, that’s all about to change. From classic leather styles - of which every guy should have one black and one brown, and webbed designs, to the more fashion forward airplane buckle à la Prada, there’s ample opportunity for the belt to add to your outfit, rather than being an afterthought.
Whether you’re wearing a pair of jeans, tailored trousers or chinos, the rule across the board is that they have to stay in place. They may have a high waist, or perhaps you’re living your Y2K best life with a low rise, but either way, an ill-fitting waistband isn’t a good look on anyone.
Worn simply with jeans and a tucked in T-shirt, the belt, out of the blue, becomes the main character of the look, so make sure you choose one that’s worth showing off - take a look at style icons James Dean and Marlon Brando to see how it’s done.
If you’re in the market for one to wear on a daily basis, a black leather style with an understated buckle is your safest bet. When you’ve started developing your collection, a brown leather would work well with earthy tones like khaki and taupe, whilst webbed designs are perfect when you want to double down on the casual aesthetic.
So buckle up and take a look at our belter of an edit that we’re sure won’t be a waist of time (sorry…).
Prada logo-engraved woven nylon tape belt
Fasten your seatbelts and brace yourselves for Prada’s take on the black belt. Crafted in a woven nylon tape with a silver tone buckle and featuring the Prada logo, it will cinch your ensembles with a touch of understated luxury. You’ll feel on cloud nine.
Buy now £280.00, Farfetch
Reiss Colby Spazzolato Western Style Belt
If you’re channelling your inner rebel with, or without, a cause, look no further than Reiss’ western belt that will have you looking like James Dean in no time.
Made using 100 per cent leather, it’s a steal at £68, and will bring some personality to any outfit - just avoid Stetsons and western shirts or you’ll end up looking like an extra from a John Wayne movie.
Buy now £68.00, Reiss
Bleu De Chauffe Maillon 3.5cm Leather Belt
Handcrafted in France using vegetable-tanned leather, Bleu De Chauffe’s belt is packed with character. With guillochage engraved on the roller, an asymmetric buckle, and an unusual prong, it’s a sleek design that will stand the test of time. In a reddy brown, it would look great with navy or black trousers.
Buy now £85.00, Mr. Porter
Gucci Leather belt with Web
Any self-confessed fashion fan could spot the iconic red and green Gucci stripe a mile off - which is why the splash of colour on the belt loop is just enough. Crafted in Italy using smooth black leather with a high-shine black finish and a gold tone buckle, this belt is a masterclass in understated luxury. If you know, you know.
Buy now £315.00, MyTheresa
Arket Leather Belt
Forget all the bells and whistles because you can’t go wrong with a classic black leather belt. Experts in the art of men’s staples, Scandi brand Arket’s belt is an elegant design that could be worn on a daily basis without any misgivings about coordinating it with your outfit. An all-round winner.
Buy now £45.00, Arket
Carhartt Thane Belt
Workwear brand Carhartt has stayed true to the brand’s DNA with this webbed belt that wouldn’t look out of place on a construction site - but in a good way. Made using 100 per cent recycled polyester, it features a fully adjustable, magnetic sliding closure so there’s no need to worry about being between two punch holes - it’ll fit just right every time. Pair with cargo pants to complete the look.
Also available in black.
Buy now £35.00, Carhartt
R.M.Williams Calf Hamilton Belt
Whether you’re pairing it with tailored trousers for work or stone chinos for the weekend, Australian brand R.M.Williams’ belt is an elegant design with a minimal buckle and tonal stitching that will work for smart or casual. With nine decades of experience, they’re experts in leather goods - and the belts are no exception.
Buy now £109.00, R.M.Williams
Aspinal of London Classic Men's Belt in deep shine black croc
It doesn’t get more sophisticated than a croc embossed belt, especially by the quintessentially English brand, Aspinal of London. Handcrafted in the UK using the finest quality full-grain leather, with an interior side of soft nubuck leather, it’s a luxurious belt for a great price.
Buy now £95.00, Aspinal of London
Loewe Anagram Leather Belt
Crafted in smooth black leather and featuring a statement buckle that’s a nod to the logomania trend, Loewe’s belt will be the centre of your look - and we’re here for it. Paired with an oversized knit French tucked into a pair of straight leg trousers, this belt will take your outfit from casual chic to fashion week.
Buy now £350.00, MatchesFashion
Anderson’s 3.5cm Woven Leather Belt - midnight blue
Heritage belt brand Anderson’s has been in the business since 1966, giving them over 50 years experience in the field. This refined design is made using midnight blue leather would look great cinching the waist on a pair of white trousers paired with a light blue T-shirt. If you’re in the market for a more versatile colour, it comes in brown and black, too.
Buy now £135.00, Mr. Porter
