The Best Belts for Men That Look Good With Everything

Once upon a time, men hitched their pants high enough that belts were simply an accessory, not a necessity. But as the waistlines of in-style pants fell, the need for functional belts rose. Today, the best men’s leather belts add a bit of reinforcement to jeans or slacks but should mainly be thought of as a style accessory. But whether military, striped, or super traditional, the right belt goes a long way.

There are a lot of belts out there to look at. When you’re searching for the right men’s belt, as well the corresponding belt buckle, don’t go for anything too gaudy or flashy, cautions Micaela Erlanger, a stylist who has worked with such stars as Common, Jared Leto, and John Boyega.

Her advice? Stick to basic colors and styles that coordinate well with a lot of different clothing. “Every man needs a black leather belt and a brown leather belt and a nice corded woven belt for summer,” Erlanger says. In terms of belt style, she opts for simplicity. “Keep it clean. No logos. No funky buckles. The buckles should be metal. Keep it as simple as you can. We’re not reinventing the wheel here.”

These are guidelines, of course. So if you want to be bold and rock a glistening, double-tongued studded belt, you do you. Her point is that the more outlandish the style, the more difficult it is to pull. it. off.

But Erlanger also has an important piece of belt-wearing advice that should be taken as gospel. “You don’t wear a belt to hold up your pants,” she says. “If your pants don’t stay up, they don’t fit.”

Now, with Erlanger’s advice in mind, here are some of the best leather belts for men and one great woven belt for warmer weather. Choose accordingly.

The Best Men’s Leather Belts

The Best Men’s Woven Belts

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