Belts, I don't get it

[leighton]

What exactly makes a good belt?

They seem like a fashion accessory to me. I never need belts, I wear my pants with no belt and do just fine. But I get enough flak when I don't wear a belt and tuck my shirt in that I just don't want to deal with it anymore.

I've got some cheap belts, but if I'm going to have to wear a belt, I'm going to make it a fashion accessory. Like cuff links. So, please school me on what makes a great belt.

 

[WhosYerBob]

A great belt doesn't begin to fold over on itself in a couple months or deform in any way. A great belt doesn't have stitching come apart in less than a year; doesn't damage other clothing or clash with whatever else is being worn; has a buckle that doesn't damage other surfaces or leave marks; is long enough to compensate for weight gain over the holidays; has a way to be fine-tuned for adjustment.

Those are just some of my criteria.

 

[saltypete]

Wearing trousers without a belt looks very odd IMHO. I follow the rule that your belt should match your shoes (black with black, brown with brown). This is advice my Dad gave me, I am certainly no style guru.

Pete

 

[Rudy Vey]

You are lucky that you do not need a belt - I, and many others, have the "guts" to wear one
A good quality belt is not easy to find, but I have two from Allen Edmonds and they are superb. And I agree that your belt should match the shoes. When it comes to suits, I prefer suspenders.

 

[Explorerkid]

Good belts, in my mind are made from a quality leather, have good construction in the stitching, and a solid buckle.
Color matching with the shoes is the right way to go. But also be aware that there are belts that are meant for dress, and belts that are for jeans. Some belts can do both, but some look horrible when used in the wrong type of pants. (i.e. skinny belt in jeans that have large belt loops.)

 

[Dharion]

What they said.

Have a look at http://www.guertelschnallen.com/ Excellent German craftsman quality, I wear one of them as I'm writing.

 

[richmondesi]

You can't be wearing your shirt tucked in without a belt if you want to be taken seriously by anyone (socially or professionally)... Why? Just because, I guess. I'll tell you when people see that, their goober alarm goes off.

Based on my experiences of course... I've heard people make fun of others on numerous occasions for that. It's ridiculous because it's not like they caught someone wearing shorts and socks with sock suspenders or something...

Like Chris Rock said, "just don't do it"

 

[gaseousclay]

Wearing trousers without a belt looks very odd IMHO. I follow the rule that your belt should match your shoes (black with black, brown with brown). This is advice my Dad gave me, I am certainly no style guru.

Pete

this . I can't imagine not wearing a belt....I feel so naked without one

 

[kopio]

What exactly makes a good belt?

They seem like a fashion accessory to me. I never need belts, I wear my pants with no belt and do just fine. But I get enough flak when I don't wear a belt and tuck my shirt in that I just don't want to deal with it anymore.

I've got some cheap belts, but if I'm going to have to wear a belt, I'm going to make it a fashion accessory. Like cuff links. So, please school me on what makes a great belt.

You obviously never carry a gun

I like my belts to be stout and leather. Mostly black (as are my shoes) with a solid non-adorned buckle (even though I am now a Texan).

It should be noted that I am very utilitarian in my approach. For me, it's not a matter of fashion, it's a matter of function. I'm think enough in the middle that if I don't wear a belt I'm sagging like a goofy teenager!

 

[DougK]

+1 to pretty much everything everyone else has said. If you don't need a belt, that's great and it's OK on the weekend with jeans, but any other outfit worn without a belt just looks incomplete (unless you're going for the formal suspenders with suit look).

 

[kingfisher]

I think the reason you look like an idiot if you tuck in your shirt and are not wearing a belt is that tucking in the shirt suggests some degree of formality, and not wearing a belt suggests complete informality. So, if you want to go beltless when you're wearing jeans and a t-shirt, nobody cares; just don't tuck your t-shirt in.

But if you're wearing a dress shirt or a polo shirt, tuck it in and wear a nice belt.

 

[mmack66]

Sansabelt

 

[ratcheer]

Back to the original question...

I have bought nice belts and I have bought great belts. But, lately, I just go to a discount store such as T. J. Maxx and choose a nice looking $10 belt. They usually last a year or two and then start tearing up. Then, I just go find another cheap, nice looking belt.

Tim

 

[SAFETYpin]

I cant seem to get a discount store belt to last more than 3-4 months. I think I wear them way to tight, if I feel the need to pull my pants up multiple times per day its not tight enough for me. It doesnt help that I am a mechanic and have to move around alot.

I am ready to upgrade.

There was another good post on here about belts with lots of qualitiy suggestions.

 

[leighton]

You obviously never carry a gun

Actually I'm able to carry around my 226 without too much of a problem without wearing a belt. But a belt makes it easier. In that case, its functional though. I understand functional things.


Forgot to ask the more important question that was sticking in my mind. Do people even notice the quality of your belt?

 

[richmondesi]

Actually I'm able to carry around my 226 without too much of a problem without wearing a belt. But a belt makes it easier. In that case, its functional though. I understand functional things.


Forgot to ask the more important question that was sticking in my mind. Do people even notice the quality of your belt?

Many do. Especially the kind of guys in your chosen profession

 

[Maduro 5]

I guess you are lucky in a way that you can get away without one. As for practical things, take a look at http://www.thebeltman.net. They look good and are designed not to change shape no matter what.

 

[VR6ofpain]

I have found great belts at Gap and Eddie Bauer. Nice brown leather tones, Made in USA.

 

[RHVette]

Actually I'm able to carry around my 226 without too much of a problem without wearing a belt. But a belt makes it easier. In that case, its functional though. I understand functional things.


Forgot to ask the more important question that was sticking in my mind. Do people even notice the quality of your belt?

I'm assuming shoulder holster? Also, the beltman does make good stuff, but it's a little pricey for me. I went the discount way and got a "marked" belt from Comp-Tac for about 40% off. You can't even tell that it's got a discoloration or mark on it.

 

[Rudy Vey]

What they said.

Have a look at http://www.guertelschnallen.com/ Excellent German craftsman quality, I wear one of them as I'm writing.

Sehr schoen, auch vom Preis her nicht schlecht!