Best belts for men: Our favourite plain, woven and embroidered leather belts, from just £17
Complete your outfit and elevate your style with one of the best belts for men that you can buy right now
Everyone knows that guys are hard to shop for, so finding the best belts for men can be a long and thankless task. Do you go for leather or fabric? What colour do you pick? Are reversible belts worth it, or will one side forever go inward-facing? All of these questions are worth considering, because when chosen correctly, the best belts for men can turn a mediocre suit, or a jeans and t-shirt combo into a striking ensemble.
We’ve gathered here a collection of the classiest, most stylish and most affordable belts for men that you can buy right now. Whatever the occasion, whatever it needs to pair with, we’ve got something that can elevate both your trousers and your look.
If you’re unsure what the best belt would be for a particular outfit, or you just want to know a few more things to watch out for when choosing one, we’ve got a buying guide below the products that answers all your questions. If you know what you need and just want to see what’s out there, read on for our picks of the best belts for men.
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Best belts for men: At a glance
- Best classic style belt: KEEPSAK Leather Belt | Buy now
- Best budget belt: Beltox Reversible Belt | Buy now
- Best formal belt: Miller Men’s Leather Belt | Buy now
- Best designer belt: Tom Ford Leather Belt | Buy now
- Best belt for jeans: Diesel B-Star Leather Belt | Buy now
- Best colourful belt: Carlos Diaz Embroidered Belt | Buy now
The best belts for men to buy in 2022
1. KEEPSAK Contrast Detail Leather Belt: The best classic style belt
Price: £49 | Buy now from Ted Baker
Instead of offering bells and whistles that most belt-wearers don’t need or care about, this KEEPSAK option maintains a classy feel while offering a little splash of colour to update the look with a modern twist. The colours you have to choose from are black (which has a blue flourish near the buckle), chocolate (which has a splash of red) and tan (which has a splash of black). The leather is top grain, whichever colour you choose, and the buckle is sleek and metallic. The contrast topstitching also helps the colour to pop, without overpowering the classic style at the heart of this design.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 30-38; Returns: 14 days
2. Beltox Men’s Leather Reversible Belt: The best budget belt
Price: £17 | Buy now from Amazon
Right at the other end of the market, this immensely affordable Beltox belt has a lot going for it: the belt is made of genuine full-grain leather, and it is fully reversible, with black colouring on one side and brown on the other. This design feature enables this belt to be worn with any outfit in your wardrobe. A simple twist of the buckle is all it takes to swap between sides, and that buckle is silver, shiny and solid, which helps this belt feel a lot less cheap than it actually is. And if you’ve had trouble with other reversible belts in the past, never fear – this one never pinches or shifts when you don’t want it to. It’s sturdy as anything.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 30-46; Returns: 30 days
3. Miller Men’s Formal Leather Belt: The best belt for dressing smart
Price: £55 | Buy now from The British Belt Company
This simple, high-quality belt from The British Belt Company is made in the UK with Tuscan leather and comes in five colours (black, brown, tan, navy and Oxblood). If you’re looking for a smart, reasonably priced belt with the kind of pedigree you’d expect from a hand-made product, look no further. As an added bonus, the Miller suits waist sizes from 26 to 50in, making it one of the more accomodating options on this list.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 26-50; Returns: 14 days (unavailable on personalised items)
4. Tom Ford 4cm Black Full-Grain Leather Belt: The best designer belt
Price: £590 | Buy now from Mr Porter
If you’re looking to spend a significant sum on a designer belt, but don’t want something overly showy that wouldn’t work with an everyday outfit, Tom Ford’s Full-Grain Leather Belt is probably right in your ballpark. The brown Italian leather offers a classy style without going over the top, and the ‘T-fastening’ golden buckle is just the right amount of showy. It’s different enough to catch the eye, but it is also sleek and clean. It would work with a suit, a smart-casual outfit or even a pair of jeans with a T-shirt.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 30-44; Returns: 28 days
5. Diesel B-Star Leather Belt: The best belt for jeans
Price: £32 | Buy now from House of Fraser
You may be wearing casual clothing, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear a scruffy old belt with it. By opting for a belt like this instead of a cheap one from your local store, you can really elevate your outfits and make those old favourite outfits look less scruffy and a lot more sophisticated. The branded buckle is big enough to get noticed, and the debossed logo adds to the iconic Diesel feel. Crafted from smooth leather, this belt blends Italian design with an American attitude to create a really powerful look to pair with your favourite comfy jeans.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 30-38; Returns: 28 days
6. Carlos Diaz Embroidered Polo Belt: The best colourful belt
Price: £40 | Buy now from Amazon
If browns and blacks aren’t your style, and you want more than just a little splash of colour to pop out from your waistline attire, the Carlos Diaz range of unisex polo belts could be just what you’re looking for. The strong and supple Argentinian leather is high quality, and the eye-catching embroidery will ensure that this belt attracts attention and rakes in compliments. This is a particularly great belt to wear to add a dash of colour to an outfit, and there are numerous colour options on Amazon to help you get that perfect match. Also, Amazon’s 30-day return policy means you can buy it, try it, and see how it goes with your clothes.
Key specs – Waist sizes: 30-44; Returns: 30 days
How to choose the best men’s belt for you
Not sure what you’re looking for in a belt? Just think about your answers to the following simple questions to get the ball rolling.
What is your belt for?
Do you want a belt for casual wear, smart occasions or a bit of both? All of those options are totally valid, and it shouldn’t be too hard to pick up a belt that can match exactly the sort of circumstance that you’ll need to wear it in. There are plenty of belts on the market that are suitable for workwear, social life outings and/or formal events.
What does items does your belt need to match?
Is there one outfit – a wedding suit, perhaps – that your new belt needs to match? If so, you’ll want to remember these ancient words of wisdom: your belt should match your shoes. Don’t mix a brown belt with black shoes, or vice versa, unless you want the fashion police knocking on your door.
What is your budget?
There are a lot of belts in the world, and knowing how much you are willing to spend on one can help you narrow the search. If you just want a functional belt to hold your trousers up without attracting attention, you should be able to find a suitable option for less than £20. But if you want a belt that makes a statement, garners compliments or comes emblazoned with the iconic logo of a well-known brand, be prepared to spend a fair bit more.
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Which belt size do you need?
Some shops will sell belts in sizes ranging from XS to XL, and it can be hard to know which size is right for you based on these markers alone. Other sites will just list the waist size in inches, but it’s often a good idea to add 2 to your usual size when you’re buying a belt. This is an item that has to fit on the outside of your trousers, after all. Wherever you buy your belt from, it’s wise to check the manufacturer’s size guide carefully before making a purchase.
