Buying a belt isn’t something many of us do very often. You probably wore your old one for years on end, and chances are you’ll be stuck with the next one you buy for a similar length of time. There are a million places to buy belts, though, making the process of picking one up a trickier-than-it-should-be sort of job – a task that’s very easy to put off. However, every day you put off buying a belt is a day when your waistline isn’t looking as sharp as it should be.
Here we’ll ask you some key questions that will help you understand exactly what you’re looking for in a belt, before listing some of our favourite options from £18 to £500.
How to pick the best belt to buy
Not sure what you’re looking for in a belt? Just think about your answers to the following simple questions to get the ball rolling.
What is your belt for?
Do you want a belt for casual wear, smart occasions or a bit of both? All of those options are totally valid, and it shouldn’t be too hard to pick up a belt that can match exactly the sort of circumstance that you’ll need to wear it in. There are plenty of belts on the market that are suitable for work wear, social life outings and/or formal events.
What does items does your belt need to match?
Is there one outfit – a wedding suit, perhaps – that your new belt needs to match? If so, you’ll want to remember these ancient words of wisdom: your belt should match your shoes. Don’t mix a brown belt with black shoes, or vice versa, unless you want the fashion police knocking on your door.
What is your budget?
There are a lot of belts in the world, and knowing how much you are willing to spend on one can help you narrow the search. If you just want a functional belt to hold your trousers up without attracting attention, you should be able to find a suitable option for less than £20. But if you want a belt that makes a statement, garners compliments or comes emblazoned with the iconic logo of a well-known brand, be prepared to spend a fair bit more.
Which belt size do you need?
Some shops will sell belts in sizes ranging from XS to XL, and it can be hard to know which size is right for you based on these markers alone. Other sites will just list the waist size in inches, but it’s often a good idea to add 2 to your usual size when you’re buying a belt. This is an item that has to fit on the outside of your trousers, after all. Wherever you buy your belt from, it’s wise to check the manufacturer’s size guide carefully before making a purchase.
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The best belts to buy in 2018
Tom Ford 4cm Brown Full-Grain Leather Belt: The best designer belt
Price:£500 | Buy now from Mr Porter
If you’re looking to spend a significant sum on a designer belt, but don’t want something overly showy that wouldn't work with an everyday outfit, Tom Ford’s Full-Grain Leather Belt is probably right in your ballpark. The brown Italian leather offers a classy style without going over the top, and the ‘T-fastening’ golden buckle is just the right amount of showy. It’s different enough to catch the eye, but it is also sleek and clean. It would work with a suit, a smart-casual outfit or even a pair of jeans with a T-shirt.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 30-44; Returns: 28 days
KEEPSAK Contrast Detail Leather belt: The best classic style belt
Price:£49 | Buy now from Ted Baker
Instead of offering bells and whistles that most belt-wearers don’t need or care about, this KEEPSAK option maintains a classy feel while offering a little splash of colour to update the look with a modern twist. The colours you have to choose from are black (which has a blue flourish near the buckle), chocolate (which has a splash of red) and tan (which has a splash of black). The leather is top grain, whichever colour you choose, and the buckle is sleek and metallic. The contrast topstitching also helps the colour to pop, without overpowering the classic style at the heart of this design.
Key specs - Waist sizes: 30-38; Returns: 14 days
Bestkee Mens Leather Reversible Belt: The best cheap belt
Price: from £17.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Right at the other end of the market, this immensely affordable Bestkee belt has a lot going for it: the belt is made of genuine full-grain leather, and it is fully reversible, with black colouring on one side and brown on the other. This design feature enables this belt to be worn with any outfit in your wardrobe. A simple twist of the buckle is all it takes to swap between sides, and that buckle is silver, shiny and solid, which helps this belt feel a lot less cheap than it actually is. And if you’ve had trouble with other reversible belts in the past, never fear – this one never pinches or shifts when you don’t want it to. It’s sturdy as anything.
Key specs - Waist sizes: 30-46; Returns: 30 days
Dante Men’s Leather Ratchet Dress Belt: The best belt for smart occasions
Price: from £26.88 | Buy now from Amazon
At smart occasions such as weddings or posh parties, you’ll want a belt that blends the formal with a sense of personality. Dante has a range of 22 options on Amazon, each of which has a unique combination of buckle and belt. Whatever colour your outfit may be, there is bound to be a belt here that works wonderfully with it and really makes your outfit pop. The leather is high-quality and durable, and you can easily remove and reposition the buckle to produce the perfect fit for your body shape. We’re particularly fond of the brown, silver and gold option, which should help you add a pop of colour to your formal style.
Key specs - Waist sizes: 20-44; Returns: 30 days
Mulberry 4cm Brown Woven Leather Belt: The best woven designer belt
Price:£195 | Buy now from Mr Porter
Woven belts make seem a little old hat these days, but this Mulberry design has enough class to put them back in contention. The vegetable-tanned leather is left untreated to provide a rich full-grain finish, which will develop its own unique colour patterns over time. The slick weaving, the shiny gold buckle and the subtle Mulberry tree logo combine with this top quality leather to create a belt that makes the old-fashioned fashionable again and would look great with a variety of different clothing choices. It comes in black, brown, or a brown and black blend, allowing you to pick the perfect woven beauty to go with your wardrobe.
Key specs – Waist sizes: S-L; Returns: 28 days
Carlos Diaz Embroidered Polo Belt: The best colourful belt
Price:£25 | Buy now from Amazon
If browns and blacks aren’t your style, and you want more than just a little splash of colour to pop out from your waistline attire, the Carlos Diaz range of unisex polo belts could be just what you’re looking for. The strong and supple Argentinian leather is high quality, and the eye-catching embroidery will ensure that this belt attracts attention and rakes in compliments. This is a particularly great belt to wear to add a dash of colour to an outfit, and there are numerous colour options on Amazon to help you get that perfect match. Also, Amazon’s 30-day return policy means you can buy it, try it, and see how it goes with your clothes.
Key specs - Waist sizes: 30-44; Returns: 30 days
Carlos Diaz Mens Womens Unisex Argentinian Brown Leather Embroidered Polo Belt (100 cm/40-42 Inches)
Diesel B-Ready Leather Belt: The best belt for jeans
Price:£50 | Buy now from Selfridges
You may be wearing casual clothing, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear a scruffy old belt with it. By opting for a belt like this instead of a cheap one from your local store, you can really elevate your outfits and make those old favourite outfits look less scruffy and a lot more sophisticated. The branded buckle is big enough to get noticed, and the ‘only the brave’ stamp adds to that iconic Diesel feel. Crafted from smooth leather, this belt blends Italian design with an American attitude to create a really powerful look to pair with your favourite comfy jeans.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 30-38; Returns: 28 days