Both genders wear belts. Women wear belts to lift tired looks, to tweak a silhouette or introduce a pop of colour. For men, belts help in fixing big trousers. Most times, they own one for a decade and rotate it through every set of belt loops in their wardrobe.
The right belt can fix off-kilter proportions, or bring life to monochrome outfits. It can make you look like a cowboy or an Italian dandy. It also keeps your trousers up. Every man should apply this rule when wearing belts:
1. Match your belt
Use contrast colours instead to give your outfit depth. The one occasion which does, however, call for a matching belt is black tie – a slim black version will effortlessly pull together an all-black formal look.
2. Use your loops
Your suit shouldn’t require a belt to keep it up. You have two options: when your tailor’s taking in your waistband, have him unstitch the loops; or fill them with a slim, leather belt. As a rule, narrower means smarter (although stop before you get to shoelace width).
3. Flash in the right way
If you’re wary about outfit experimentation, then use your belt to dip a toe. The right bright can lift a staid work outfit or elevate off-duty monochromes. You can go nautical with a navy suit trouser, a grey crew-neck jumper and brown double monk-strap shoes – brighten that up with an orange. Brown and orange work well together.
4. Nail your fit
A belt will not turn the latter into the former. Cinch a pair of baggy trousers to get the unexpected pleats and a bumpy waistband. A belt is a way to wear trousers that don’t quite fit, not to pull off hand-me-downs.