Stick to the Basics with Belt
Finding the right belt is an essential aspect of putting together just about any ensemble. After all, the right belt can be a very effective piece and can help to add contrast to whatever else that you might decide to wear. The wrong belt, on the other hand, does nothing to help anyone look better, and can easily take away from what might otherwise be a rather attractive ensemble. There are plenty of ways to go about finding a belt that will work for you once you know what to avoid. Consider the following elements that contribute to a belt being terrible, as well as ways which you can avoid making this mistake.
The Huge Buckles
One of the most common mistakes made when it comes to wearing belts is choosing those which feature huge buckles. Belt buckles can add a great element of panache to an ensemble when they are the correct size, but can do the exact opposite if are excessively large. Large belt buckles often look like little more than parodies of themselves and can make even a nice ensemble look comical. While it’s true that these types of buckles are quite popular in, say, parts of the American West, those who consider themselves to be fashion-forward will do little good by embracing them. There’s no need for men to wear cowboy belt buckles in San Francisco.
Cotton Belts
If there’s one thing that should be a constant with belts, it’s the fact that they should almost always be constructed out of leather. Leather is not only a durable material, but it adds a rich quality to things it is paired with. This being said, cotton belts are rather popular for whatever reason, and are often worn by those who embrace the “preppy” attire. No matter how you like to dress, you’re not going to do yourself any favors by wearing a cotton belt when you could otherwise wear one made out of leather. Leather belts add a nice dose of polish to an ensembles whereas a cotton belt adds a relaxed air to a look. Colorful cotton belts should only be worn with colorful chino shorts. Otherwise, always stick to the leather belt.
Avoiding the Mistake
Choosing the right belt isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t need to be as difficult as people often make it out to be. You’ll do best by shopping for a belt constructed out of fine leather that features a small to moderate-sized buckle. Silver buckles can be very effective, as can those which are gold or rust-colored. Either brown or black leather can be worn, although you’ve got to be careful when putting the ensemble together in order to avoid clashing. Ideally, browns should be worn with other browns, and the same can be said for pieces that are black.
Other All-to-Common Fashion Mistakes:
Suit & Tie Fashion Faux Pas
Avoiding Tacky Dress Shirts