He’s got a James Bond suit on, a swanky pair of loafers, and a badass watch to back it. He’s the life of the party… that is, if you ignore the tattered belt with the gigantic buckle. I’ve seen it happen, and it’s a classic case of “so close but so far.” That’s where the best men’s dress belts come in.
Sleek and thin, the best dress belts can really tie a suit together. Whether you’re wearing a top-of-the-line suit or a budget fit, a good belt can help leave a good impression at any formal event. That goes double if you’re rocking a one-color suit and need something to shake things up.
Even in a casual setting, a lot of people like the look of dress belts on jeans or other day-to-day clothes. And honestly, with how effortlessly cool they look, who could blame them? We sure can’t, so we’ve put together our list of the very finest!
Without further ado, here are the best men’s dress belts you can buy.
Key Takeaways
After searching the internet high and low, visiting countless sites, and reading hundreds of reviews, the verdict is in. If you ask me, Allen Edmonds Midland Ave Belt is by far the top of the best men’s dress belts out there. The oxblood-colored leather is gorgeous and quite durable, not to mention it looks great on suits and jeans alike.
Alternatively, there’s always the classic black, and it’s one of the cleanest-looking leather belts I’ve seen.
For something a bit swankier, you can always go for the Billy Reid Distressed Leather Belt. The craftsmanship is one of the best I’ve seen, and that brass buckle is a real eye-catcher. Less is oftentimes more in the fashion industry, and this belt’s minimalist design is a prime example.
Why it’s great: Striking the perfect balance between price and quality, Allen Edmonds is behind one of the best men’s dress belts out there. The sheen on the high-quality leather is some of the finest I’ve seen, and it’s beautifully accentuated by the silver buckle.
Also, as amazing as it looks in black, the brownish-burgundy option is one of the most unique you can find.
Who is this for? This is a back–to–basics belt. If you’re not sure what kind of belt you should wear at an event, then it’s hard to go wrong with this thing. In fact, I’d say it looks every bit as good on a casual pair of pants, too.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Nothing to complain about there. I guess it might be a bit thinner than most belts, so look out for wear and tear. I have one of these at home, though, and it’s been serving me very well.
Sizes: 32–44 | Material: Leather strap, silver-tone buckle | Width: 1.4 inches | Colors: Black, oxblood
Why it’s great: ISTO belts have always been amazing, but they really outdid themselves here. The veg-tan leather looks sleek and modern, and they didn’t skimp out on durability, either.
Besides the aesthetic, vegetable-tanned leather just feels smoother to the touch. You may not think it’s a big deal, but if you feel elegant in what you’re wearing, you’re bound to project it.
Who is this for? Eco-conscious consumers, gather ‘round. No animals were harmed in the making of these belts, so you can look stylish while being part of the solution. You can also expect a long lifespan with this thing, so it’s a great option if you don’t want to shop for belts again anytime soon.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of the best men’s dress belts out there. My only issue is that there are fewer size options than I’d like. If you’re skinny or on the bigger side, you may have trouble getting this thing to sit still. Either way, the reliable belt loop usually takes care of that problem.
Sizes: 33.5–41.25 | Material: Vegetable tanned leather strap, brass buckle | Width: 1.37 inches | Colors: Black, brown
Why it’s great: Now, this is a quality leather belt if I ever saw one. Leave it to Billy Reid to combine a calfskin strap with a brass buckle for one of the best men’s dress belts on the market.
With a thickness of about 3 millimeters, this belt can handle a lot of abuse, and the cinnamon color is very easy to combine with even the best of suits.
Who is this for? The fancier the event, the more appropriate this belt is. Since the design is so minimalistic (minus that iconic clamshell on the back), it is 100% style and 0% tacky.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Not everyone’s a fan of brass buckles, and that’s perfectly okay. I personally love them, but if you’re looking for something a bit more subtle, you may want to look elsewhere.
Sizes: 32–42 | Material: Calfskin leather strap, brass buckle | Width: 1 3/8″ inches | Colors: Cinnamon
Why it’s great: For being one of the best dress belts for men, this Dockers beauty sure is cheap. The design is minimal, sporting that classic logo only for added flair. It’s also not very wide, so it blends seamlessly into whatever pair of pants you’re wearing.
You can slot the buckle prong in one of seven holes, and you don’t have to worry about feeling constricted.
Who is this for? This is a great belt if you’re looking for something comfortable and low-maintenance. Just be sure to wipe it down with wet napkins once in a while to keep the sheen alive.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Wear this belt long enough, and you might start to notice subtle cracks in the leather. This should take a while, though, and for such a low price, you can stockpile just to be on the safe side.
Sizes: 32–52 | Material: 40% PU / 44% split leather / 16% bond leather strap, silver buckle | Width: 1.25 inches | Colors: Black, tan
Why it’s great: If you want two belts for the price of one, then you can always go for a reversible belt. Perry Ellis has you covered with a brown and black side to match your outfit, and they both look amazing if you ask me.
I’m also a huge fan of the buckle here – just something about the shape and the belt loop hits the sweet spot for me, putting this one firmly in the category of best men’s dress belts.
Who is this for? This is another one of those belts that are good for any occasion. I find that the black side is easier to match with most suits and that the brown works better with casual clothes. Not to mention, if you don’t want to bother with upkeep, a wet wipe once a month should keep it in pristine shape.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some buyers report that the sizes can be a little off. You may want to order a size down just to be on the safe side. Still, these reports are few and far between, so I wouldn’t worry about it much.
Sizes: 30–42 | Material: Bonded leather strap, gunmetal buckle | Width: 1.5 inches | Colors: Brown/black
Why it’s great: It’s hard to find a package deal that doesn’t compromise on quality, but this BULLIANT offer gives you one of the best men’s dress belts times two. With a zillion color options to choose from, there’s bound to be a BULLIANT belt to match anyone’s taste.
The quality of the leather is also amazing for the price, and the zinc alloy buckle is quite sturdy.
Who is this for? Anyone looking for double-sided belts with a reliable buckle rotation mechanism should consider these. There are also loads of size options, so there’s genuinely zero chance that you won’t find the right one for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: To make up for the rotation of the buckle, it does feel a little bulkier than most belts. It’s not super-distracting or anything, so you should be accustomed to it within a day or two of wearing it.
Sizes: 28–58 | Material: Leather strap, zinc-alloy buckle | Width: 1.25 inches | Colors: Multiple
Buying Considerations for the Best Men’s Dress Belts
Size
In general, you want to take your pants number and add two to get the ideal belt size. If you’re wearing a smart belt (as opposed to the classic hole belt), then there might be a bit more wiggle room, but the plus-two formula is usually the best way to go. The last thing you want is for the cuffs on your fancy suit to be dragging along the floor!
Color
Black and brown are the best color picks for dress belts since they go well with the most common suit colors. Remember that a belt is a supplement to your suit and not a main attraction, so standoffish colors are a no-no. As for the buckle, anything silver-coated is usually a safe bet.
Material
When it comes to the best men’s dress belts, leather is what you want to look out for. Unlike a lot of fabric belts, leather is always a safe pick for formal occasions, and it’s usually pretty easy to clean by hand. Zinc alloy is a good material for the buckle, although this depends on the type of suit you’re rocking.
How We Chose
Many brands claim to offer the best of the best in the industry, and the belt sector is no exception. From false claims of superior craftsmanship to flat-out lying about materials and dimensions, I’ve seen it all at this point.
To arrive at the 6 best men’s dress belts, I sifted through hundreds of different options, and I consulted forums, user reviews, and ratings of the company as a whole.
Company reputation: Does the company have a good track record with other products? If they’ve released a number of big sellers before, then that lets me know that they’re doing something right.
Customer reviews: How do buyers rate the product? Marketing claims are one thing, but a person buying the product and trying it out firsthand can give you the real story.
Price: Is the product worth the price tag? Most male fashion and grooming products can be found in a variety of price ranges. I try to make sure the price of what I’m recommending makes sense, and I try to include a pick that anyone can afford.
Transparency: Does the company share the details behind every material and every step of the production process?
Why Trust Us?
Andrej, a seasoned writer at Fashionbeans, has become a trusted authority in the realms of men’s fashion and grooming. His expertise is backed by a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail, making his recommendations on the best men’s dress belts not just opinions but informed advice.
Andrej’s approach to product selection is meticulous, focusing on quality, functionality, and style, ensuring that each recommended belt is a blend of aesthetic appeal and practicality.
His previous articles on topics like the best watches for young men and the best tuxedo shirts showcase his ability to dissect fashion items critically, making him a reliable source for sartorial advice. Trust in Andrej’s expertise is not just about following trends; it’s about embracing a philosophy of lasting style and quality.
Final Verdict
And that’s that for the best men’s dress belts out there. Allen Edmonds Midland Ave Belt wins out with its high-quality leather, eye-catching color and sheen, and just how easy it is to style.
FAQ
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Yes, you absolutely should. The best dress belts for men can make an already-fancy suit that much fancier, especially if you get the color and design just right. In fact, most of our picks look great with casual fits too, so get to buying!
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