When it comes to men’s accessories, a leather belt is a classic staple. Along with being functional, it comes in a variety of casual and formal designs so you can express your style. To help you choose the right one for your outfit, here are the differences between casual and formal leather belts along with some styling tips.

Casual

Casual leather belts vary in width from about 1.5 to 1.75 inches. In general, the wider the belt, the more casual it is, so stay closer to 1.5 inches if you want a semi-formal look.

Casual belts also tend to be less shiny than formal types and can feature a variety of buckle styles, including frame-style, plate-style, box-frame, snap, and micro-adjust. Opt for full grain leather, as it lasts longer than other types.

Since casual belts are for more relaxed occasions, most of the styling is up to you. Pair your casual belt with jeans, shorts, khakis, or chinos. For shoes, try chukkas, boat shoes, brown leather loafers, or boots. 

Formal 

Formal leather belts are thinner than their casual counterparts at about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. They also have a shinier finish and nearly always feature a frame-style buckle that tends to be smaller and flatter than a casual buckle.

To achieve a truly formal look, match the belt with your shoes as closely as possible in both color and texture. Don’t choose a belt with excessive patterns or more than one prong.

Select a polished gold buckle for a brown or tan belt and a polished silver buckle for a black or navy belt. Pair the belt with a suit or other dressy attire. 

 

If you’re looking to complete your outfit with a high-quality leather belt, turn to Over Under Clothing. Specializing in 100% American made clothing, they offer a wide variety of men’s accessories and apparel, including outerwear, hats, neckwear, pants, and wallets. All of their products ship nationwide, and orders over $50 get free shipping. Visit them online to browse their inventory of men’s accessories. Call (904) 619-0577 with any questions.