How are belts measured?

As far as how men's belts are measured goes, Elizabeth says "the heel of the buckle to the middle hole is the size of the belt." She recommends grabbing a tape measure to figure out your size and length and says "you can always mimic your waist size or jump a size up, but standardly that distance should, at minimum, be your waist size."

How do you match belts with a suit?

"I think the word 'match' is very loose these days," says Elizabeth, noting that your belt doesn't have to be a perfect match to your suit. "Your look needs to be you and tell a story—your belt is the closing piece to your argument of who you are." Instead of your suit, look to your shoes, shirt, or even your tie when choosing a belt color.

Do belts and shoes need to match?

In general, Elizabeth says belts and shoes do not need to match, as fashion is all about taking risks and leaning into personal style. That being said, there's one rule about matching belts and shoes she advises sticking with: Black and navy shouldn't be mixed. "If the colors are similar in shade, it gives off the idea that you thought they were the same [color]," she explains.

The 15 Best Leather Belts for Men of 2023

Commerce Photo Composite — Brides / Lecia Landis

When it comes to wedding attire, it's all about the accessories for men. From the tie to the cufflinks, these components are a great way to tell the story of your style—and belts are no exception. Second, to neckties, belts are perhaps the most important accessory in men's formalwear. Style expert Jeni Elizabeth refers to them as the final touch that "buckles up" your look. "No matter what design or color, a belt finishes a suit—it completes the look in a classy and sophisticated (or fun) manner," she says.

With so much pressure put on the belt, making a selection for your big day—or as a wedding guest—is a bit tricky. And while it would be nice if every wedding suit came with its own corresponding belt, the next best thing is having someone do the work for you. That's where we come in. We went on a major deep dive, putting together a comprehensive list of the best leather belts to rock at a wedding, evaluating each based on style, material, color, length, width, and price.

Check out the best leather belts for men's wedding attire below.

Our Top Picks

Best Dressy:

Gucci Leather Belt With Squared Buckle at Gucci.com

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Best Budget:

Amazon Essentials Classic Dress Belt at Amazon

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Best Designer:

Saint Laurent Monogram Leather Belt at Nordstrom

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Best Extended Sizing:

Men’s Wearhouse Black Double Loop Leather Belt at Menswearhouse.com

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Best Black:

Cole Haan Gramercy Leather Belt at Nordstrom

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Best Brown:

Magnanni Carbon Leather Belt at Nordstrom

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Best Cognac:

Brooks Brothers 1818 Leather Belt at Brooksbrothers.com

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Best Raw Leather:

Tanner Goods Heritage Belt at Tannergoods.com

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Best Tooled:

Ariat Filigree Stripe Belt at Ariat.com

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Best Reversible:

Tommy Bahama Reversible Classic Leather Belt at Tommybahama.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQs
Why Trust Brides?

Gucci

View On Gucci.com

If you're looking for a dressier belt to complement men's wedding attire, it's almost always a good idea to go with a designer option. The quality and style alone of this one will help tie your whole look together. Our favorite pick for the best dressy belt is this squared buckle belt from Gucci. The thin black leather strap makes it the perfect choice for a pair of dress pants while its geometric buckle design adds a handsome touch. And, while Gucci is known to adorn its designs in the designer's iconic logo, we love that this buckle takes a more subtle approach with a small etching of the iconic logo, that way it doesn't draw too much attention from the rest of your look.

Price at time of publish: $420

Size: 70–120 | Width: 1 inch | Material: Italian leather

Amazon

View On Amazon

Finding a high-quality belt on a budget isn't too much of a challenge, but finding one for around $20 feels like a major win. This Amazon Essentials dress belt features a classic design, comes top-rated by almost 4,000 customers, and is available in a wide range of sizes with a choice of black, dark brown, and tan, so you can find the perfect match for your wedding day ensemble.

Price at time of publish: $19

Sizes: 30–56 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Bonded leather, polyurethane, polyester

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Neiman Marcus View On Bergdorfgoodman.com

If you're going designer for your wedding day belt, its key to find something that looks timeless. We love this black leather belt by the iconic brand Saint Laurent for its quality, sophistication, and chic design. We also like that the classic YSL logo is more subtle and not too over-the-top.

Price at time of publish: $545

Sizes: 85–110 EU | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Leather

Mens Wear House

View On Menswearhouse.com

This Men's Wearhouse belt made our top list not only for its range of sizes but also because it's great quality—with an even greater price to match. Made from full-grain Italian leather and designed with double loops for a subtle stylish touch, this belt is a great piece and the perfect addition to any best men's wedding suit.

Price at time of publish: $40

Sizes: 30–60 | Width: 1.2 inches | Material: Italian leather

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales

This traditional black belt from Cole Haan features a silver square buckle and sleek leather strap, creating a look that's both elegant and chic. Pair with your favorite skinny tie and tailored suit to make the look more modern.

Price at time of publish: $70

Sizes: 32–42 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Leather

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

The hand-burnished leather on this gorgeous belt gives it luxe and velvety feel. It's one of our top pick for its stunning craftsmanship, color, and beautiful silver hardware.

Price at time of publish: $150

Sizes: 32–46 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Leather

Courtesy of Brooks Brothers.

View On Brooksbrothers.com

If your dress shoes are a lighter and warmer brown hue, think about pairing them with a cognac belt like this one from Brooks Brothers. Crafted from smooth Italian leather with brushed silver-toned hardware, it's formal but still versatile and the ideal medium width for suit pants.

Price at time of publish: $98

Sizes: 30–44 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Italian leather

Tanner Goods

View On Tannergoods.com

If you're going for a raw leather belt, you want something that feels handmade, but still boasts a sophisticated look. We love this one because the natural tan color add a nice touch to a wedding day look, and you can choose between four different belt buckle metals to create the perfect match with the rest of your outfit.

Price at time of publish: $125

Sizes: 28–42 | Width: 1.5 inches | Material: Leather

Ariat

View On Ariat.com

Who says you can’t have fun with your wedding day style? For those rocking a pair of cowboy boots on their big day, a matching tooled belt is a must. We love this one from Ariat because it has that Western feel with a dressier, more upscale approach.

Price at time of publish: $59

Sizes: 32–46 | Width: 1.5 inches | Material: Leather

Tommy Bahama

View On Tommybahama.com

This reversible leather option from Tommy Bahama offers multiple options for color-coordinating your suit. It features white on one side and navy blue on the other, with a simple chrome buckle that'll complement a range of looks.

Price at time of publish: $60

Sizes: S–XL | Width: 1.5 inches | Material: Leather, polyurethane

Buck Mason

View On Buckmason.com

If you're planning or attending a more casual beach wedding or need something to wear to the welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or farewell brunch, this belt might be just the thing to complete your ensemble. The laid-back design is crafted from soft, woven leather for a distinguished look that's not overly dressy.

Price at time of publish: $98

Sizes: 26–38 | Width: 1.5 inches | Material: Leather

Calvin Klein Men's Sleek Modern Dress Belt

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Macy's

For those who prefer vegan leather, we recommend the Slim Minimalist Dress Belt from Calvin Klein. Available in black or brown, the versatile, sophisticated design features a thin band and a shiny chrome buckle that'll pull together any formal or semi-formal look.

Price at time of publish: $50

Sizes: S–XL | Width: 1.5 inches | Material: Leather, polyurethane

Courtesy of Prada.

View On Farfetch.com View On Prada.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

If you're shopping for a gift or are open to splurging on a luxury belt for yourself, consider Prada's Saffiano Belt. With a different hue on either side, the dapper design has a high-end appeal while still being extremely versatile. And the polished steel buckle features a subtle branded logo that won't distract from your suit.

Price at time of publish: $795

Sizes: 60–120 | Width: 1.3 inches | Material: Leather

Courtesy of Bloomingdale's.

View On Bloomingdales

When in doubt, go with a classic design. Available in three colors and featuring a brushed silver-toned buckle, this timeless leather belt is a the ideal width and style for men's suits and dress pants. Just a heads up, Bloomingdale's recommends ordering one size up from your waist size.

Price at time of publish: $70

Sizes: 30–42 | Width: 1.3 inches | Material: Leather

Courtesy of Nordstrom.

View On Nordstrom

If you're planning a rustic wedding or are going for a slightly more rugged look, you'll appreciate this belt. The Italian leather is weathered to create a vintage appeal while the raw, non-stitched edges offer a laid-back vibe that still works well with a casual suit, suit separates, or dress pants.

Price at time of publish: $65

Sizes: 32–42 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Italian leather

What to Look For When Buying a Leather Belt

Length

"There are so many options for belts these days, but most importantly, the length must be accurate," says Elizabeth. "One of the biggest mistakes you can make with a belt is buying it too long." Some men's belts come in standard sizes, ranging from small to extra-large, like the Tommy Bahama Reversible Classic Leather Belt. But if you need a more accurate size, consider one that comes in a range of lengths, like the Men's Wearhouse Double-Loop Full-Grain Leather Dress Belt.

Loop Size

Shopping for a belt to wear with a suit is much different than shopping for a belt to wear with jeans. "Always think about the width of your loop," says Elizabeth. "The loop on denim is much more forgiving and larger than a suit pant." She notes that you should make sure your belt isn't squeezing through the loops. The Calvin Klein Slim Minimalist Dress Belt is a great option for suit pants with smaller belt loops. But if the loops are slightly wider, opt for something thicker like the Cole Haan Gramercy Leather Belt.

Personal Style

In addition to the length of the belt and loop size, Elizabeth says personal style is important to consider. With so many options available, she explains that choosing the right belt depends very much on who you are as a person and the statement or aesthetic you're going for. Selecting a belt that feels most like you is key. If you're going for a dressy look and are a fan of designer duds, consider something fancier like the Gucci Leather Belt With Square Buckle. But if you're more laid-back and don't want to look too flashy, the Buck Mason Braided Leather Belt might be a better option.

FAQ

How are belts measured?

As far as how men's belts are measured goes, Elizabeth says "the heel of the buckle to the middle hole is the size of the belt." She recommends grabbing a tape measure to figure out your size and length and says "you can always mimic your waist size or jump a size up, but standardly that distance should, at minimum, be your waist size."
How do you match belts with a suit?

"I think the word 'match' is very loose these days," says Elizabeth, noting that your belt doesn't have to be a perfect match to your suit. "Your look needs to be you and tell a story—your belt is the closing piece to your argument of who you are." Instead of your suit, look to your shoes, shirt, or even your tie when choosing a belt color.
Do belts and shoes need to match?

In general, Elizabeth says belts and shoes do not need to match, as fashion is all about taking risks and leaning into personal style. That being said, there's one rule about matching belts and shoes she advises sticking with: Black and navy shouldn't be mixed. "If the colors are similar in shade, it gives off the idea that you thought they were the same [color]," she explains.

Why Trust Brides

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor's degree in fashion journalism. From working in the fashion closet and interviewing designers at NYLON Magazine to now writing about the best style trends for various publications—including, Byrdie, Brides, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and more—Jessie researches and sources the best fashion finds for readers. When researching the best leather belts for men, Jessie had versatility top of mind. After all, a belt can be worn for any occasion and, if you’re going to invest in a good one, you want to get the most use out of it. Additional research and reporting for this article was done by Theresa Holland.