Best belts for men to hoist your jeans in style

We pick the best men’s belts for a better fit. From chic leather options to functional webbed belts

A man’s belt isn’t just an essential for keeping his trousers firmly in place, it’s also an accessory that can add a subtle touch of personality to any outfit. Worn with a tucked-in trouser, it actually becomes the unsuspecting star of your look (see literally any photo of James Dean). The classics come in leather with silver- or gold-toned hardware, of which every man should own at least two (one black, one brown).

Then there’s the increasingly popular webbed belt, not to mention the airplane belt buckle style belts being pedalled by Kim Jones at Dior. The one thing to remember when wearing a belt with denim? So long as your jeans are blue and not black, always opt for a belt in shades of brand and opt for muted leathers and suedes over shinier finishes. Wearing black denim? A black leather belt will be your new best friend.

There are so many takes on belts for men, but here at GQ, we know a good one when we see one. Here we’ve rounded up the very best to give you a helping hand in scouting out your next best waist-cincher.

RM Williams

The ultimate belt for hoisting up your jeans, Australian brand RM Williams has made heavy-duty boots for the hardiest of outdoorsmen for decades, so it stands to reason that the brand’s accessories should follow suit. £70. rmwilliams.com

2/16

Dior

Under the aegis of British creative director Kim Jones, Dior’s menswear has gone from strength to strength. Case in point: this clever belt which features a buckle designed to emulate the seatbelt of an airplane (Jones does love a jet, after all). £490. dior.com

3/16

Loro Piana

Arguably the most refined of all luxury brands, LVMH-owned cashmere house Loro Piana also does a lovely line in simple belts. This buff suede option, for instance, will look as chic with some soft stonewash jeans as it will a tan chino suit. £460. loropiana.com

4/16

Hermès

Trust French leather house Hermès to come up with the chicest belt ever created in the history of time. This polished crocodile number features a fine take on the brand’s iconic “H” motif and will work best with darker denim. £4,365. hermes.com

5/16

Berluti

Under the watchful eye of former Dior Homme creative director Kris Van Assche, Parisian bottier Berluti has really upped its game in the accessories department. A good example of the developments being made at the house is this belt, featuring an inlayed buckle and a perfectly patinated leather strap. £580. berluti.com

6/16

Our Legacy

This is easily the best Western-style belt we’ve seen and comes from the master of cool, Our Legacy. £130. At matchesfashion.com

7/16

Louis Vuitton

This reversible belt is part of the collaborative capsule spotlighting Japanese designer Nigo, the founder of Human Made. Make sure you grab one while you can. £490. louisvuitton.com

8/16

Burberry

Half Burberry’s iconic check canvas, half supple black leather, this is a belt you should have in your accessories arsenal. £370. burberry.com

9/16

Loewe

Loewe is the Spanish brand you definitely should own a piece of and a logo-clasped belt is a good place to start. £325. At matchesfashion.com

10/16

Polo Ralph Lauren

You really cannot go wrong with this straight-down-the-line classic from American treasure Polo Ralph Lauren. It comes in a rich tan and a solid, luxurious silver-toned buckle with brand logo embossed, making it a stalwart, reliable piece to have as a backbone accessory in your wardrobe. £59. At Selfridges. selfridges.com

11/16

Cos

Why just buy a belt when you can buy a belt and a cardholder in the same stylish sweep? It is like when men (or maybe just my grandad) used to attach everything to their waists (think builders’ pouches and gun holsters). Perhaps this is just the city dwellers’ evolution in which all the modern man needs is a credit card and a phone. The simple black leather material gives it a fantastic range of usage. £20. cosstores.com

12/16

Prada

Prada experiments with a more utilitarian design – the clip buckle. It is somewhat distinct from your tattered, abused and desecrated school satchel buckle – Prada have reworked it and imbued it with luxury. The buckle is constructed from solid silver-tone metal, the belt from a tough gosgrain material and it all comes with Saffiano-leather trim adornments. You’ve never seen a clip belt buckle as desirable as this before. £200. At matchesfashion.com

13/16

Bottega Veneta

It isn’t often that belt design elicits a spark of intrigue. But that’s exactly what this Bottega Veneta piece does. It is a curious and ineffably suave use of angles and woven calf leatherwork to produce a charming belt. The buckle is constructed of rhomboid and is hypoallergenic, providing comfort even for those wearers with sensitive skin. £485. bottegaveneta.com

14/16

Tiger Of Sweden

Is there a sweeter, more right colour on a leather belt than cognac? This classic belt by Tiger Of Sweden proves that sticking to a simple style made with quality materials and craftsmanship provides ample charm. This will be perfect for a light-shade suit or chino trouser in the warmer months. £89. tigerofsweden.com

15/16

Ami Paris

Trust Ami Paris to hoist up your trousers in the chicest way possible. Made from classic black leather, the 25mm width makes this a particularly refined option to wear with a suit, or one to add some 1990s appeal worn with light-washed blue denim. £80. amiparis.com

16/16

Gucci

In the same way that a belt is wrapped around your waist, this belt has Gucci’s emblematic snake twisted around its leather to form an intriguing, characteristically opulent buckle. One for an evening out, wearing all-black everything. £510. gucci.com

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