You're A Grown Man, Here's How To Buy Belts Like One

Men's fashion has been evolving at a rapid pace over the last several years. With a projected annual compounded growth of 5% from 2018 to 2020, menswear revenue is expected to overtake the womenswear market. Thirty years ago, this projection would've been scoffed at, but here we are now.

The pillars of men's fashion are standing strong, but the foundational knowledge of how the modern man puts his look together is a process that requires a balance between creative personality and sartorial timelessness.

One thing -- sometimes far too many things -- men's fashion is inundated with is accessories. They're essential elements of every man's wardrobe, but often run the risk of becoming excessive. It'd take tomes of fashion critique to address every manner of accessory, so we're going to look at belts for men.

How do you choose one? What do you look for? Why can't you just buy a handful of adjustable belts and call it a day? We have some ideas and advice that'll keep you sartorially savvy for the next time you need to do some belt shopping.

Start with your pants

Once upon a time, premium leather belts for men weren't really a thing. Belts were meant to keep a man's pants up. They were practical and little else. That was then, this is now, and you're well aware that belts can be both functional and fashionable. A good belt starts with pants that fit you. Belts should never be the sole thing holding your pants up. Begin with pants that fit without a belt, then you're ready to accessorize.

Embody elegance

Now that you have well-fitting bottoms, it's time to draw the eye. The belt is the center of your outfit. As such, it shouldn't be gaudy or over-the-top. Slim, subdued premium leather belts will never fail you. Classic colors of black, brown, and cognac are all essential staples to every man's belt collection. As with pants, be sure to buy your size. It's absurd for grown men to attempt fitting into something that isn't their size.

Invest in quality

Here's something that many men shy away from. Often tempted to buy inexpensive belts from wherever they find them, lots of men find themselves replacing belts time and again because of poor quality. Premium leather belts don't have to be hundreds of dollars. However, investing in higher quality belts will ensure that you have them for a long time.