Men's Brown Leather Belts
Men, for the most part, have traditionally (and stereotypically) been exempt from the frets and fears of fashion when it comes to putting outfits together for the office or that night out on the town. Which is too bad, because having the right clothes for the right occasion can really make you feel comfortable and confident. Most men, at the very least, are capable of choosing a shirt and pants with little difficulty -if not little success. The problem is most men stop there. As guys, we seldom think about our accessories-such as our shoes-and our belts.
Men's brown leather belts are the single most popular belt style among men. But, the styles within that style are many, with the belt and the buckle being the two most distinct parts. How the two pieces of this accessory work together (and with your clothes) deserves a little consideration. And having a well put together outfit and matching accessories will make you more noticed and you'll be more apt to make a favorable impression on new people you meet. So what is there to look for in a brown leather belt?
Make sure it fits.
Let's start with the band of the belt-you know, the part that wraps around your waist. Most men consider this as a simple piece of brown leather that has an unknown length and width with a few holes. In actuality, belts have sizes dictated by their length and the number of holes they have for the buckle. In addition, all belts have distinct widths for specific applications and look. On a new belt you can look at the tag to determine the size. On older belts you just need to try it on. A belt that is too small needs to be discarded. A belt that is too large can be modified to fit by notching more holes and trimming the leather tip of the belt.
Determining what width of a leather belt you need is a bit more confusing. In general, thinner belts are considered more formal and are used to accent a dress suit or dress attire. Typically, a brown leather belt will coordinate with the shoes in formal attire and tie together the shirt and the slacks. Because brown is so versatile and muted, it can be used with a wide array of dress clothing. What is most important is that you purchase a men's belt that has a width that coordinates with the loops of your pants. Western style belts in particular can be very wide to accommodate the western style belt buckles. Be wary and when in doubt pick an average width that is neither skinny nor wide. This will allow you to accommodate many different occasions.
The belt style is very important to the occasion and look you want to portray. One good rule of thumb is that you can always go simple and plain. The most common type of men's brown leather belts have no pattern or distinguishing marks. This shouldn't be confused with undesirable, but rather understated. Use these plain belts when you want to draw attention to other parts of your outfit.
If you'd rather make a splash at your waist then go ahead and shop around for a belt that has a bit more style. They make all different kinds of leather belts including; braided leather belts, stamped, stitched, feathered edged, tapered, laced, and distressed; just to name a few. Taking a short jaunt through an internet store will give you a good idea of what kinds of belt styles exist. Just remember that belts with crisp edges and clean lines are better for professional apparel. Gaudy designs on wide belts with flourishes and frays are better for a night out on the town. These more distressed belts can often look over-worn instead of fashionable in an office setting.
If the buckle and the belt were a pair of twins, the buckle would be the fun one, while the belt did all the work. Nearly 60 percent of all belt buckles are simple silver metal -thin and nondescript. Once again, these buckles are functional and desirable in formal and office settings. The other 40 percent of belt buckles are designed to meet the desires of the individual. There are nearly an unlimited number of styles to choose from, each offering a different way to express yourself.
So to recap: for formal occasions and office settings choose a thin style brown leather belt that has clean lines and simple patterns if any pattern at all. Choose a belt buckle that is understated and functional. For your nightlife and personal expression, choose a wider belt that provides more opportunity for more decorative buckles and designs and find a buckle that is comfortable but shows something unique about your character. Above all, find a leather belt that makes you feel confident and looks good.
