MensXpert.com - 5 Belts Every Man Should Own

Belts simply don't get enough street cred. Yes, they're used in order to hold your pants up, but they do serve another purpose by adding a whole other dimension to your look. Between the different types of leather and even cotton, not to mention all the color and buckle options, the right belt can make your style run circles around that of your peers. And since belts are usually less expensive than your watch or wallet, they offer easily accessible styling opportunities -- if you see their potential, that is.

So step one is checking out which belts are cool enough to do a number on your pants; the next step is understanding the importance of wearing a belt, and knowing when and how to wear yours.

5 Essential Belt Styles

You likely already own a classic belt that you wear to work and on weekends, but switching up your belts and throwing your colleagues for a loop with a cool, new one is always recommended.

Among the belts that have been making a stir on the scene are thin belts, alligator skin belts, distressed leather belts (that feature a vintage look), colorful and flashy cotton belts, and camouflage or military-style belts.

The following are five belts that every man can use:

1. Classic Black Belt

Choose a sleek, brushed stainless steel buckle that gives it a powerful modern touch, and will remain a classic for years to come. Wear it with dress pants and a collared shirt, or flat-front pants and a crewneck sweater. The best part? It can even be worn with jeans, and its blackish/brownish shade means you can wear it with black or chocolate brown shoes.

2. Thin Black Belt

A safe and stylish option for your suits, dress pants and even flat-front pants. An inch wide, it's classy enough for formal occasions without limiting itself to dressy nights out.

3. Brown-ish Belt

If you're stepping out in any form of brown shoes, a brown belt with a brushed silver-tone metal buckle is the perfect add-on to a cool fall-winter sweater or collared shirt, and brown pants. Goes well with Jeans and loafers too.

4. Beige Belt

If you like to take some chances with your wardrobe, a natural-colored belt -- like this Gucci one -- is a great place to start. Wear this belt with a pair of earth tone chinos or camel pants, and a pair of beige shoes. It can even be worn with a light gray suit featuring beige pinstripes, or simply a beige suit.

5. Casual Cotton Belt

For a real cool and casual look, there's nothing better than a laidback cotton or canvas belt. It makes a great addition to a pair of jeans or chinos, shorts, and even the right 5-pocket or flat-front pants. It may not be recommended for the workday, but it does offer you the chance to inject some color into an otherwise plain look. Don't be afraid to choose a belt in funky colors, like the Hollister Co. belt featured here, and don't get bogged down trying to match the belt to your shirt -- not matching can actually look really cool.

Belts FAQs

Should a belt match my shoes or my shirt?
This is the most popular belt-related question, and it's time to answer it once and for all. The rule of thumb when it comes to belts and shoes is that they should match; so if you're wearing black shoes, then you should pair them with a slick black belt, and the same goes for brown. It's also important that your belt buckle matches the other accessories in your ensemble, so wear a silver belt buckle with accessories in the same color "family," like platinum, stainless steel or white gold.

Another general rule is that your belt should match your pants (denim and navy pants are an exception, of course...), but that rule seems to be taking a backseat to funky styles. So while you should wear a black or dark brown belt with your navy suit, some trendsetting men are wearing beige with navy, and even beige with gray. My stance on the subject? I don't think you should mess with the belt and shoe combination, but I think wearing a light-colored belt with a different shade can be a pretty cool look, if you can pull it off.

What kind of belt should be worn with jeans?
For men, a wider belt should be worn with jeans, if you opt to wear a belt at all. The belt can either be leather (regular leather, suede, nubuck, or pebble grain -- all of which look great with denim, tweed and wool), or cotton (canvas included). As well, watch out for the buckle; opt for a heftier buckle when wearing jeans. And never wear a thin belt with your jeans -- leave that to the ladies.

When is it inappropriate to step out without a belt?
For starters, if you're tucking your shirt into your pants, then you should wear a belt -- unless it's casual Friday at the office. I recommend you wear a belt at all times, although it's not mandatory on weekends or while wearing jeans, on casual occasions.

What's more stylish: A thin or thick belt?
Again, it's all about the occasion. A thin belt looks great for a formal event or even when dressed up for a night out. Wear a thin belt with dress pants, and a thicker belt with flat-front pants, 5-pocket pants, jeans, and even with a suit.

Are big belt buckles pass?
Those old-school Budweiser or Harley-Davidson belt buckles are a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean that belt buckles are no longer cool. "Seat belt-style" belts have been around for a few years now, where the "buckle" is a seat belt buckle and the belt is basically a seat belt. I would only sport these on casual occasions like weekends or nights out, when you want to live in the fashion fast lane. As well, the latest buckles are shaped like oval "rings" rather than flat surfaces. Even Western-style buckles are in, in which the buckle is a big oval plaque and features Western-like grooves and notches.

Now that you know some general rules concerning belts, here are some things to avoid at all costs:

· Wearing a belt with pants that have no belt loops.

· Wearing a belt and suspenders... at the same time.

· Wearing a thin belt with jeans or cords.

· Wearing a belt that's too short for you. A belt that's slightly longer will make you look slimmer, as using the last hole on your belt will make your gut seem more apparent.

There's no reason to get caught with your pants down next time you head to the office or out on the town. Whether you're wearing dress pants, flat-front pants, chinos, shorts, or jeans, there's a belt out there to take your look to a whole other level.

Besides, if you want to prove you're a stylish professional, it's important to show your attention to detail with the right belt.