How to choose a men's belt made of genuine leather: Stylist's tips

Men's fashion is more conservative in contrast to women's. Representatives of the strong half of mankind rarely update the closet, so things are chosen more carefully. And belts in this rule are no exception.

Basic kinds of men's belts

All belts are the same at first sight - a buckle and a strip of leather. The belt loop, as an additional element, is needed to fix the free edge. The tip is a means of protection against wear and tear.

In the fashion world it is traditionally accepted to allocate 3 main types of men's belts:

• Classic belts are executed in the style of minimalism. Nothing unnecessary is allowed here. Colors are chosen restrained.
• Informal belts have a free style. Original forms and a variety of colors are possible.
• Sports belts are most often purchased with jeans. As a rule, they are not visible under clothing.

What kind of leather are made of men's belts?

The quality and appearance of genuine leather depends largely on its type. In the manufacture of belts are used its types:

• pigskin, which is considered the most budget option, its appearance depends on the dressing;
• Oxtail leather is a hard and wear-resistant material;
• Calfskin, it is soft and pleasant to the touch, often used to imitate expensive exotic leather;
• Crocodile leather, which has embossed texture and an unusual pattern will ennoble any image, but will cost a penny for such a belt;
• Sheep leather, which has an amazing softness, but is strong and durable.

Buckles on belts

First of all, assess the quality of fittings, then the buckle on the belt will not let you down at the most responsible moment.

• Lock. Two ends fasten by analogy with a safety belt.
• The buckle is in the shape of the letter «O» (round). The belt is put through two ends.
• Automatic. Does not have straps. The strap is fixed right inside.
• Frame. More often used on everyday accessories.
• Buckle-buckle. A metal plate is installed on top of the fixing mechanism.

Tips from professionals on the choice

There is no special sense to chase a brand: hardly anyone around will understand that the belt is a designer. First of all, attention is paid to the accuracy of execution and the properties of the leather.

• On the strap slightly press the nail from the wrong side. High-quality leather will not change its properties, remains soft, not scratched.
• The clasps should be small and close to each other.
• Check to see if there are no protruding threads and sprawling stitches.
• A belt made of natural material has the edges trimmed, not trimmed.
• It is better to match the color and texture of the accessory with the shoes. The shade of the watch and gloves is also taken into account.

How to choose the size of the belt?

Belt size in simple words is the distance from the buckle to the center hole on the band. That is, if the strap has 5 holes, the central hole is number 3.

To determine the right size, measure the waist circumference of the pants. Here you can't do without a flexible ruler. The belt is selected according to the formula «+5 centimeters». You can also be guided by the length of the previous belt, the wearing of which did not cause discomfort.

Do not make new holes with your own hands! They stand out noticeably, and the accessory itself may break in the place of the new hole. It is better to entrust the creation of a hole on the belt to a professional and go to a workshop.

Modern belts are an opportunity for self-expression and demonstration of your own style. The main thing is to choose a quality accessory and competently add it to your image.