How to choose the right belt for a given occasion?
One piece of advice above all, before we talk about it in more detail: don't make the mistake of choosing just one belt for any type of outfit. The casual look requires a sporty belt, the elegant mood requires a classy belt.
Make room for your new belts
Most likely, you who are reading this article will have one or more creased, frayed or definitely out of fashion belts in your closet. Make room and throw them away. To have a well-groomed outfit every day , the first trick is to have a tidy wardrobe.
Now that you have gotten rid of obsolete belts to match your pants, you can dedicate yourself to choosing the next ones.
Accompanying both casual and formal clothing with an accessory always has its reason: it completes it and gives it character. But there are cases in which the belt is above all functional…
Belt: functional accessory
Except for true “made to measure” lovers, it is rare for a man to have all his trousers made by a tailor. For this reason, even if you buy the correct size, you may need a belt to adjust the waistline .
So this accessory becomes fundamental here: there is nothing uglier than seeing a man continually adjusting his trousers!
The belt for casual outfits
It's up to you to decide, based on your personality and your way of dressing, whether, wearing a casual look, you prefer to use it as a complement or as a characterizing element . In the first case, you should choose a sober belt, in a neutral color and in an unrefined material, which disappears into the outfit.
Let's see an example. If the look is composed of a pair of dark denim five-pocket trousers and a white heavy cotton t-shirt, the belt to match could be a smooth dark brown leather or braided rope one.
When you want to draw attention to this accessory , you should opt for more flashy colors or imaginative workmanship. Remember never to overdo it, in any case, and that the belt draws attention to the waist: therefore, the extra pounds will not be forgiven!
The belt for the elegant outfit
If you are wearing a formal dress or an elegant pair of trousers, such as the Lirecento models with pleats, it is a good idea for the belt to be part of the outfit.
In these cases, some simple rules must be observed.
Choose belts that are not too flashy and thin : the height should not exceed 3.5 cm. The buckle should be thin and the material should be a shiny or brushed metal. The ideal, for those who dress formally every day, would be to have one in black, brown and blue to match the different trousers and dresses.
In this case the belt has both an aesthetic function - it always produces an elegant effect when combined with the shoe! - and a functional one , as it perfectly adjusts the waistline avoiding creases that in an elegant outfit are more noticeable than in a casual one,
Another important rule to respect is the size. High-end belts can be adjustable or are available in different sizes: when worn, they should always close in the third hole.