How to style a leather belt

work

Brown leather belt + khaki chinos + white Oxford + brown Derby shoes

work

Brown belt + grey trousers + light blue Oxford + navy blazer + brown loafers

smart casual

Black belt + black jeans + white Oxford + black Chelsea boots

Do

• ✓Match belt colour to shoes — black with black shoes, tan or mid-brown with everything else
• ✓Choose full-grain leather — it develops a patina and improves with wear
• ✓Select a buckle no wider than 35mm — a large buckle reads costume-y
• ✓Buy reversible black/brown for travel — one belt that covers two shoe colours
• ✓Tighten to the third hole out of five — if you're on the first or last, the belt is the wrong size

Don't

• ✗Don't wear a brown belt with black shoes or a black belt with brown shoes — the one absolute rule
• ✗Don't pick a western or elaborately stitched buckle for smart-casual or formal contexts
• ✗Don't combine with athletic sneakers and a formal outfit
• ✗Don't wear a glossy patent belt with matte leather shoes — the textures fight
• ✗Don't leave the belt end hanging past the first belt loop — tuck or trim it

Tandy Leather

Garrison belt in full-grain brown

$25–45

Anderson's

Woven leather belt (Italy)

$90–130

Hermès

Reversible H-belt in smooth calfskin

$450–650

Ownership dos

• ✓Match the belt to the shoe (always)
• ✓Buy reversible black/brown for travel
• ✓Choose full-grain leather

Ownership don'ts

• ✗Wear a brown belt with black shoes (or vice versa)
• ✗Pick a belt buckle larger than a fingertip
• ✗Combine with athletic trainers