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By Megan Gustashaw and Michella Oré
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You might think that shopping for the best belts for men isn't nearly as exciting as throwing down on a badass leather jacket, a swaggering suit, or even some aggressively tinted shades. After all, those other items have main-character energy and the belt, the belt is almost always playing a supporting role in your outfit. Which is precisely why, though it may seem tedious, we would argue that your belt collection very much deserves your attention, consideration, and financial investment. Because if you've ever inadvertently ruined an outfit with the wrong belt, or seen the movie Moonlight, you know that both supporting belts and supporting actors are essential to any creative masterpiece.
Here's how to make belt-shopping more fun. First, stop thinking about the whole thing in black and brown. Start thinking about color, texture, and leopard-print pony hair. Next, consider not only the dress codes you want to cover with your belt collection, but also the style archetypes; Western, preppy, and Moondog, for starters. Finally, start teaching yourself how to use a belt to not only keep your pants on, but to transform the essence of your outfit. Try on three belts with one white tee and jeans and observe the way the energy in the room shifts. Once you see the humble men's belt for the style secret sauce that it truly is, the prospect of acquiring a new one won't bore you, but thrill you. To get you started on your journey toward belt enlightenment, GQ Recommends went deep on 25 of the best belts for men out there.
Material: Leather Size Availability: 65-140 cm
Named after its founder, Cecilia Bringheli, and country of manufacture, CB Made in Italy is a decade-old accessories brand that makes our hands-down favorite basic genuine leather belt on the market: the aptly named semplice belt. Available in some 15 suede and leather hides and a variety of sizes, you can customize it to fit your wardrobe, your mood, your shape, your personal belt philosophy. We're partial to the rich brown leather option, which is an appropriately casual complement to the belt's buckle—simple, square brass—and looks just fantastic with jeans, chinos, and any manner of flowy trouser.
How to Style It: A classic leather belt is guaranteed to look swell with just about anything in your wardrobe, but if you want this timeless accessory to shine, slip it into a pair of tan or charcoal wool trousers for a pop of contrast.
Material: Leather Size Availability: 28-44 in
When you want a no-nonsense belt that isn't black to slip on for the workweek, a dark brown option is a no-brainer. This Nisolo pick is handcrafted by artisans in Peru from waterproof leather (so you can keep your pants from falling down even when a storm is brewing) and finished with brass buckle to keep tarnishing at bay. It's the type of belt that'll deliver each and every day, sort of like you, the model employee.
How to Style It: We'd keep things simple and slip this over a pair of tan or navy trousers with a crisp white button up (tucked or untucked).
Material: Leather Size Availability: 70-100 cm
Bondage and belts might call to mind things strictly NSFW—Our Legacy's pick is both of those, yet still manages be totally appropriate for general fare. Matte, buffed leather is laced snugly together to suggest a modified corset while the chrome pin buckle adds a little shine. Depending on your industry, it may not be the belt you slip on when you're meeting with the boss, but it is fair game whenever you're looking to take a fashion risk guaranteed to pay off.
How to Style It: Versatility might not come to mind, but corsets can cater to several vibes. For casual outfits, pair with burly blue denim to take soften things up or with a sleek suit to keep things from feeling stale.
Material: Nylon webbing Size Availability: S-L
If you're going to belt up for the great outdoors, make sure you turn to a brand that has built a reputation for weather-proof gear. Arc'teryx makes more than gorp-approved, celeb-adored jackets. Their narrow conveyor belt is made from sturdy nylon webbing and features a self-locking metal buckle. While it's primed to keep your pants from slipping down while you jump from cliff to cliff, it can also prove useful for securing a bag that might spilleth over thanks to its versatile design.
How to Style It: Web belts are kinda tricky to style outside of gorp-ified fare—but not impossible. An easy hack is to opt for a plain, darker hue like onyx or charcoal and slip into a pair of black dress pants for a finish that’s sporty and refined.
Material: Leather Size Availability: 75-100 EU
With the arrival of fall and cooler weather, your flair for adventure might be turning its ways indoors but that doesn't mean you have to hang up all the wild west gear you've become fond of. Christophe Lemaire is no stranger to adding fresh and funky twists to wardrobe staples, and this belt is no different. Crafted from beefy pebble leather that's been kitted out with an antiqued metal buckle and tips, it's a little cowboy, a little Parisian, and a bona fide fit-maker.
How to Style It: A braided belt can look sorta goofy with a suit, but a slim western one can look fantastic. When the show is over, ditch the monkey suit and hitch up the belt loops of your most tried and true denim for a classic fit.
Men's Essential Braided Leather Belt
Material: Leather Size Availability: 30-46 in
If a plain leather belt feels like it's missing something but you still want to keep things “classic,” this braided gem will add just the right amount of texture without going overboard. Woven from full-grain leather with an antique-y brass buckle, this belt from the wizards at L.L. Bean will pair well with your classiest slacks and easily dressed down with burly bootcut denim. This belt might not be our pick for making a buzzy fashion statement but the stylish guys who appreciate good, clean style will definitely take notice.
How to Style It: A high-quality dress belt naturally pairs with top-notch dress shoes—just avoid matching brown with brown and your spiffiest fits will be set up for success.
Material: Cotton Size Availability: M-L
Guanabana is a Spanish-Columbian brand known for its woven, colorful accessories and y'all, do they ever make a nice belt. Maybe not the variety of belt you'll wear to work or your wedding (although, more power to you if that's your thing), but the kind that completes every outfit outside of formal occasions, from oversized cargo pants and an open-collar shirt to linen suit and a knit polo. When you look at the patterns on offer, you're probably going to want buy more than one, which is perfectly okay considering they retail for a reasonable $80 a pop.
How to Style It: Casual-leaning, a colorful woven belt sits on the opposite spectrum of a black leather belt yet pairs just as well with your go-to khakis and slacks.
Material: Leather Size Availability: Made to order
Pretty much anything goes in rock ‘n’ roll, and INAN’s mishmash of metal and leather perfectly embodies that ethos in one stylish-as-hell belt. The brainchild of stylist Ilaria Norsa and Angostura’s jewelry designer Giulia Tavani, INAN is a collection of accessories that pay homage to the gritty underground and all it’s inspired. The tubular stripes belt is crafted from calfskin leather and kitted out with silver beads, piercings, and a buckle, creating a drape across that oozes the type of sex appeal often reserved for rock’s elite.
How to Style: Slip it over your crispiest trousers and slinkiest button-up to let The Man know you’ve got a mind of your own, or ditch the top altogether and belt up your baggiest jeans before hitting the town.
Fully Lined Bridle Leather Belt
Grosgrain Tape Double Ring Belt
Mannahatta's stud- and jewel-encrusted belt might look like you fished it out of a pirate's chest, but rest assured, the real treasure is the endless compliments it invites.
What's not to like about a multi-purpose accessory, especially when it keeps your pants up and all your essentials in place?
Thanks to a brass spur buckle and elegantly stitched edges, this classic-leaning option will stand the test of time (and long outlast whatever swerve didn't land a few months ago).
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