13 Types of Belts: How to Wear and Style a Belt

A belt is a fashion accessory that is traditionally used to secure the waist of a pair of pants or bottoms. They can be used to keep pants up that may be tight, or to tighten the waist of pants that are slightly loose. Though belts were originally intended to serve a functional purpose of keeping your pants from falling down, they are often used as fashionable accessories to tie outfits together. Styling an outfit with a belt allows you to add color to an ensemble, bring a busy outfit together, or emphasize your natural silhouette. Belts come in a variety of styles that suit a number of formal or casual situations.

Though belts come in many styles and forms, traditional belts are often simple designs with three common components.

1. 1. Buckle: A belt buckle usually consists of three parts: the frame, the prong, and the bar. The frame is the “base” of the buckle, while the prong—attached to the bar—is the movable piece that slips into the belt strap’s notches for tightening or loosening. Belt buckles are most often made from metal, zinc alloy, or plastic.
2. 2. Strap: The strap of the belt is the actual material of the belt itself, which can be made from leather or fabric. The strap has a series of belt holes poked through it which are commonly referred to as notches, which is where the prong of the belt buckle slides in to adjust the size and fit of the belt.
3. 3. Loop: The loop of a belt is where the end of the belt or “tongue” slides in after tightening/loosening to hold the belt (mostly) flush against itself.

There are numerous types of formal and casual belts that lend different stylistic accents to a given outfit. Some of these belts even have slightly different functions. Here is a brief overview of 13 different types of belts.

1. 1. Formal belts: These dress belts are usually reserved for formal occasions, often worn with suits or dress slacks. A cumberbund, which is a pleated fabric belt usually worn with a tuxedo or suit, is a common type of formal belt. Suede belts are sometimes considered more semi-formal, though depending on the quality can also fit with more formal attire.
2. 2. Leather belts: Leather belts are usually black or brown accessories that keep a pair of pants up. Most leather belts are made from cowhide (either full-grain leather or calfskin), though faux leather is also available for those who live a vegan lifestyle. Leather belts can be worn in either casual and formal settings.
3. 3. Braided belts: A braided belt involves many pieces of leather braided together to create a plaited, solid piece of material. They can be worn formally, but tend to have more of a casual style.
4. 4. Garter belts: A garter belt is a functional belt worn as lingerie that is used to keep thigh-high socks or garters from falling down.
5. 5. Obi belts: An obi belt is a type of wrap belt that involves a large, thick piece of fabric or leather that wraps around a person’s midriff and is fastened into a bow. It is a popular style for Japanese kimonos or martial arts.
6. 6. Chain belts: A chain belt is an accessory that is made out of a piece of chain metal that usually sits at a person’s hips or midsection.
   
7. 7. Cinch belts: Cinch belts are wide belts that are used to cinch a person’s waist and add shape to a silhouette. They can be made of leather, fabric, or from an elastic material that stretches to adjust to the size of your midsection.
8. 8. D-ring belts: Instead of using the typical belt buckle and notch system, d-ring belts fasten with two d-shaped rings where the end tip of the belt is threaded through to hold in place. D-ring belts are typically made of canvas, cotton, or some other fabric material rather than leather.
9. 9. Reversible belts: Reversible belts are casual or formal belts that come with a twistable buckle which makes it possible to wear the belt “inside out.” The alternate side of a reversible belt may feature a different style or color than the other side.
10. 10. Skinny belts: Thin belts are typically casual or formal belts made out of leather. They are often used as waist belts to accentuate a person’s shape, making them more stylish than functional.
11. 11. Canvas belts: Canvas belts were originally used by people in the military as part of a training uniform. They can keep a pair of bottoms fastened to a person’s waist while allowing for more movement than a leather belt would. Canvas belts are often made from a blend of linen and cotton or from synthetic webbing. Instead of a metal buckle, these belts buckle with plastic hardware that resembles a seat belt.
12. 12. Studded belts: Studded belts are belt straps embellished with metal or plastic adornments like grommets or studs, adding texture and substance to otherwise plain, flat belts.
13. 13. Western belts: Western belts were traditionally worn by cowboys and are made out of thick leather that can keep a person’s pants up as they ride a horse. Modern times have seen western belts used more for style with their large, silver, engraved buckles, and intricate embossed leather strap designs.

The most important part of picking out a belt is ensuring that you’re choosing one that is the proper size. Here is a quick breakdown of how to find your belt size.

1. 1. Measure your waist size. Using a measuring tape is the best way to get an accurate measurement to determine your proper belt size. Simply thread your soft tape measure through your pants loops (or wrap it around the waistband of your pants), fixing the ends together where your belt would most comfortably fit. This measurement will give you the right length in inches for how long your belt should be. You can also consult a belt sizing chart to see the correct size for a belt according to your waist measurement.
2. 2. Measure an existing belt. This is also a useful technique for determining your belt size. Lay your current belt on a flat surface, and measure the length of the belt from the notch you use to where the end of the belt meets the buckle, rounding to the nearest inch.
3. 3. Add inches to your pants size. As a general rule of thumb, you can get the perfect belt size by taking your waist measurement size and adding two inches.

You can wear a belt both as a fashion statement piece and a functional tool to hold up your pants. For functional purposes, a good belt is extremely simple to put on and wear.

1. 1. Pull your bottoms to your waist. Your belt will fit best in its intended position which is usually just below your natural waistline.
2. 2. Insert the tongue through the loops. Belt ends can be inserted through the left or right belt loops first, depending on the style of the belt. Feed your belt through the belt loops in your pants (if you have them) until the strap has been threaded through all of the loops.
3. 3. Secure the belt. The frame style of your buckle will determine how you fasten your belt. For most traditional belt buckles, you simply slide the tongue through the buckle frame and then pull it to the most comfortable notch. When you have the belt in position, slip the prong through the desired hole to hold it in place, then push the end of the belt back under the frame.
4. 4. Use the loop. Once you’ve threaded and notched your belt, the tongue should emerge on the other side of the buckle near the belt loop, where you can slide the tip through and secure it in place.

A belt works by keeping your pants up, making them a functional accessory. Belts can also be used to style outfits, adding some extra personality or shape to an ensemble that needs something extra. Here are four tips that will help you style belts for formal or casual looks.

1. 1. Use belts to enhance your silhouette. Be mindful of the body shape you create when adding a belt. You can use them to accentuate your waist with billowy pieces like a tunic top or shift dress. It can even add extra structure when cinched over a cardigan or blazer.
2. 2. Use belts to add (or bring out) a pop of color. Experiment with different color combinations and styles when you’re styling an outfit with a belt. Draw color inspiration from the prints and patterns of your other pieces of clothing in your ensemble, and use the belt to tie it together.
3. 3. Use beslts to make a statement. A statement belt—like something with a large buckle or interesting design accent—can serve as a centerpiece for your attire. It can add personality or color to an otherwise plain outfit.
4. 4. Make sure you can see the belt. Whether you’re wearing the belt for functionality or style, make sure it’s visible on your outfit. Tucking your shirt in a French tuck style is a great way to show off a statement belt if you’re wearing something bulky on top, like an oversize sweater.

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