You would often see belts worn by men and women both for function and style. A belt is a standard accessory that can complement your outfit and make an added impression on your look.
But some men do not have any idea about the various functionalities of a belt. How essential are men’s casual belts?
When Should Men Wear a Belt?
As long as your lower garment has hoops that a belt can pass through, consider wearing a belt. Not wearing one might get you looking a bit drab, especially with formal suits or shirts where the upper garments should be tucked in.
A belt does not only complete your overall outlook. It also keeps your pants up. You would not want to have a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of an event.
Formal Belts vs. Casual Ones
There are different kinds of belts. Some types would fit well on a formal occasion, while others are for casual events and activities. It is best to consider belts according to the occasion.
Formal belts
Formal belts would often include a frame-style buckle that secures the strap. There are holes in the strap that the prong on the frame can go through to keep everything in place.
There are dress belts that you can use, and the straps on this type of belt often come between 1 to 1.5 inches wide.
The material on formal belts is often made of cowhide, ostrich, lizard, crocodile, and alligator.
Casual belts
Buckles on casual belts are often similar to formal ones, but their frames are usually bigger and thicker. There are ones that come with plates, box frames, and O-ring buckles.
The width of the strap on men’s casual belts are between 1.5 and 1.75 inches in diameter.
The material can either come in leather, leather-backed ribbon, canvas, webbing, rope, or vinyl.
Simpler Ways to Differentiate the Two
- Formal belts have a smaller buckle.
- They have a thinner strap width.
- Formal belts are thinner, softer, and often have a sheen.
- Casual belts have a bigger buckle.
- The straps are broader.
- Casual belts are more durable, chunkier, and are more leathery.
Rules of Belts
- Leave the hunting belts at home and for your hunting trips.
- The belts should be large enough to get through the hoops of your pants.
- Belt straps start from your left, so once you are done putting them through the hoops, the end comes into your left.
- For formal events, make sure the material of your buckle goes with your watch and leather shoes.
Last Points to Remember
Belts are often chosen because of how they are made. Look into the stitching to see if there are any loose ends. Check the buckle for any weak spots. For buckles that can be snapped on and off the straps, you can buy newer ones to replace them.
When you buy belts, you can choose from either branded or non-branded ones, but it is often recommended to invest in something sturdy.
