19 Belts That Do So Much More Than Keep Your Pants Up

Yes, you can get it in Wheat to match your Timbs, or a standard dark brown or black leather. In any case, this is as good of a belt as you’ll find for the price. I love it for its versatility; with a rugged pair of jeans, this is easily laid-back, but with chinos or khakis, you’re ready for your 9 to 5.

A belt from the Bean that’s as reliable as the brand’s famous duck boots. It’s sturdy and affordable, crafted from leather with a silver belt buckle for some dressiness. Really, it’s right in the name; this one’s an essential.

If you need a belt in a pinch, we won’t rag you for buying the Amazon option. Does it look the best? No. Is it the highest quality? Nope. But if you’re buying a belt for $15, this will do everything you need it to do.

Remember when I said you should have one black and one brown belt so all your footwear can match? Well, this belt is one of my all-time favorites for its sheer genius. Whether you need a black or a brown belt, Calvin Klein has you covered with their sleek, reversible leather option. Plus, it’s at a great price, especially for two belts in one.

Montblanc excels at leather goods—their calfskin belt is no different. This is a luxurious belt that stands the test of time, and that’ll always be infallibly ready for a good suit or pair of dressy pants to be thrown its way.

For a belt that isn’t too wide, turn to Madewell. In burnished brown with silver details, this one is up for both the office and the bar, and everything in between.

I’ve already written close to 1,000 words on this belt. But for the sake of ease, I’ll wrap all that up here in one paragraph:

At one-and-a-quarter-inch, this belt is versatile, fitting your weekend jeans and weekday trousers, though the buckle and lack of stitching make it more of a weekend belt. The leather on this belt is phenomenal, one of the best mass-produced models I’ve ever held in my hand. And, instead of sending American leather out of the country to be sewn and sold at lesser quality, Shinola keeps manufacturing stateside. Yes, it’s an expensive belt, but it’s a damn good one.

The kind of belt that will have the guy who walks past you searching “Vintage belt,” on eBay. But the fact that it’s brand-new Todd Snyder can stay our little secret; it’s so sturdy and timeless that it’ll be vintage someday, anyhow.

So, you need one belt that can do it all, and you need it to be under $100 or so. This is the only belt that will do that. It’s a thin belt, great for formal occasions, but the rounded buckle gives it a casual look that’ll help it pull double duty.

For the money, it’s a solid belt, but don’t expect it to be the most durable you’ve ever laid your hands on.

For my money, it’s tough to find a great braided belt. But this one from Perry Ellis does, in fact, rock. I think it’s thanks to the extra hardware, which adds some much-needed contemporary style to this retro, indie vibe.

If you came to this list looking for a high-quality, strictly casual belt, Flint and Tinder make what you need. This belt is made in the U.S.A., so it’s going to cost a bit more, but it still comes in under $100. And as far as leather goes, the full grain on this belt is as good and as durable as anything you’ll find the world over.

The only reason this doesn’t get marks as our do-it-all belt is that it’s just a tad too wide for more dressed-up occasions.

For a dress belt that’s just a step up from the mall brands, I think it’s got to be Todd Snyder. This one also comes in brown, but Todd Snyder sells some freakier options as well, like this Western-inspired number from Anderson’s. It’s a great place to buy a good belt for under $200.

Watch any old Western. This weekend, my girlfriend and I did Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in The West. (My number one, for what it’s worth.) Every guy in those movies is wearing a belt like this. They’re big, thick, and probably made from full-grain leather, and they all have a rectangular center buckle. Up until about the ’70s, all men’s belts just looked like this. Now, it has a Western connotation, but it’s generally just a flattering and functional shape.

Anyway, who makes the best version of this long-forgotten belt? RRL of course. Ralph Lauren’s best venture, in my opinion, is RRL. The brand is the best resource for all classic American menswear. It’s surplus, workwear, and vintage-inspired, and it’s all made to last. This belt is maybe my favorite example.

Tecovas does all sorts of exotics, but I think the brand excels at entry-level western wear, like its always-wearable Johnny boots. For a belt, I say hold off on the ostrich, gator, and caiman unless you own matching boots. If you want something rugged go for bison. If you want something simple to last a lifetime go for this calfskin number. For $150, you get one black and one brown. Can’t beat it.

If you’re looking for a timeless belt that you can wear over and over again, Bonobos has you covered. This has a luxurious look and feel, but it’s affordable and versatile. Plus, it’s under 100 bucks.

You’ll never buy another belt again with this luxe option in your arsenal. Ferragamo’s iconic Gancini logo merges with the brand’s high-quality leather to make the perfect minimalist belt, that feels as smooth and sleek as it looks.

Made from luxurious Italian leather, this is a belt for the guy willing to invest in a life-long accessory. Even your baggiest jeans will look infinitely better when you’re rocking this on your waist. And with a black leather jacket and some Chelsea boots? Don’t even get me started.

I used to have an issue with designer belts, but then I saw someone rocking the fuck out of a Gucci number like this one. I realized, that it’s not the designer belt I dislike, it’s someone half-assing a designer belt. Don’t try to be “sleek” or “tasteful.” Put that crazy shit on.

But for what it’s worth, never wear this to a formal event. Don’t even wear it to a dinner date. This is a party belt.