The reason for wearing belts differs between men and women. For women, belts serve as a way to enhance their attire, adjust their silhouette, or add a pop of color to their outfit. On the other hand, men use belts to secure their pants and they often only own one belt that they rotate through all of their pants with belt loops.
However, accessories should never be disregarded, including belts whose main purpose is to keep your pants up. A well-selected belt can restore uneven proportions, liven up monochromatic outfits, and even make you look like a cowboy or Italian dandy.
MATCH, BUT NOT TOO CLOSELY
The age-old question of whether accessories should match the outfit still persists. ASOS menswear expert Oliver Hooson advises against matching and instead suggests using contrasting colors to add depth to the outfit. The only exception to this rule is black-tie events, where a slim black belt would effortlessly complete an all-black formal look.
UTILIZE YOUR BELT LOOPS
A good-fitting suit should not require a belt to stay up, as that's what tailoring is for. But, an unused belt loop is quite a sad sight, especially if you don't own suspenders. You have two options: have your tailor remove the loops or fill them with a slim leather belt. As a general rule, narrower belts are smarter, but avoid making the belt too narrow like a shoelace. Reserve chunkier leather belts for rugged workwear.
MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT
If you're cautious about experimenting with your attire, use your belt to make a subtle statement. The right bright belt can elevate a dull work outfit or add a touch of flair to monochromatic off-duty looks. Hooson compares it to interior design, saying that by pairing a navy suit trouser, gray crew-neck sweater, and brown double monk-strap shoes with an orange NATO-style belt, you can bring life to the outfit.
NAIL YOUR FIT
Oversized looks come in two forms: the wide-legged look popularized by brands like Raf Simons and Vetements, and wearing clothes that are too big for you. Wearing a belt with clothes that are too big for you will not transform the look into a stylish oversized one. Instead, it will create unexpected pleats and a bumpy waistband. A belt should be used to wear pants that fit well, not to make hand-me-downs wearable. On the other hand, a belt can make wide-legged pants easier to pull off by balancing mismatched proportions, just as it did in 1973.
AVOID SUPERHERO BUCKLES
The studded "Jesus Loves You" belts that were popular five years ago should be left in the past. Modern style is all about simplicity with a twist, so keep it sophisticated and ditch the superhero buckles. ASOS insider Ashley Morrison says that with casual outfits, you have more room to be creative, but make sure it's not too extreme. Superman is cool, but not on your clothes. Instead, opt for a webbed, plaited leather, or bold-colored canvas belt.
EMULATE RUNWAY STYLE
While runway looks are often too exaggerated for everyday wear, there are a few ideas that can work in real life, like shoelace belts popularized by Gosha Rubchinskiy. Adopted by skaters who found leather belts uncomfortable, shoelace belts are an affordable and effective way to incorporate a hyped designer's style into your wardrobe. However, Hooson advises against wearing shoelace belts with a suit.
